• Oil of cloves, also known as Clove oil, is an essential oil from the clove plant, Syzygium aromaticum.
• It is a natural analgaesic and antiseptic used primarily in dentistry for its main ingredient eugenol
• There are three types of clove oil:

  • Bud oil is derived form the flower-buds of S.aromaticum. It consists of 60-90% eugenol, eugenyl acetate, caryophyllene and other minor constituents.
  • Leaf oil is derived from the leaves of S.aromaticum. It consists of 82-88% eugenol with little or no eugenyl acetate, and minor constituents.
  • Stem oil is derived from the twigs of S.aromaticum. It consists of 90-95% eugenol, with other minor constituents

Process

• Clove oil is isolated from cloves by steam distillation and extraction.
• Steam distillation of freshly ground cloves results in clove oil, which consists of several compounds. Eugenol is the major compound, comprising 85-90 percent. Eugenol acetate comprises 9-10 percent.

Uses

• Oil of cloves is known best for its anaesthetic properties. It is widely reported to be effective, and prior to the availability of safe, approved topical anaesthetic drugs, was used by some dentists.
• Clove oil is often used to relieve pain caused by dry socket, a possible complication of tooth extraction.
• Clove oil has uses for antimicrobial and anti fungal. It can be used for acne, warts, scars and parasites.
• It is also used for anaesthetizing and in higher doses euthanizing fish.