Laung has been part of Indian homes for generations. It goes into biryani and masala chai, and dadi's remedy for a toothache usually starts with a clove. Now more people are soaking a few cloves in water and drinking it as a simple daily habit. So what are the real benefits of clove water, and how can you make every glass count?
This guide covers the main benefits of clove water for your body, the ways people use clove water for skin and hair, an easy recipe, and a few sensible precautions so you can enjoy it safely.
The benefits of clove water come mainly from eugenol, a natural compound with strong antioxidant and antibacterial properties. A daily glass may support oral health, fresher breath, comfortable digestion and steadier blood sugar after meals. It's cheap, sugar-free and easy to add to your morning routine.
This guide comes from Get My Mettle. We don't sell clove products, so everything here is general wellness information.
What Are the Benefits of Clove Water?
The key benefits of clove water include a good dose of plant antioxidants, fresher breath, support for oral health, comfortable digestion and possibly better blood sugar control after meals. It's also a zero-calorie, sugar-free drink that helps you stay hydrated. Most of these benefits come from eugenol, the compound that gives cloves their warm, sharp taste.
What Makes Clove Water So Good for You?
Cloves are small, but they're packed with active compounds. When you soak or boil them, some of these pass into the water. The most important is eugenol, which makes up most of clove oil and is behind many of the benefits of clove water. Cloves also contain other polyphenols that act as antioxidants.
According to USDA Food Data Central, 100 g of ground cloves holds about 60 mg of manganese and 11.8 mg of iron. A glass of clove water uses only a few cloves, so think of it as a gentle daily top-up rather than a main source of minerals.
What Are the Top Benefits of Drinking Clove Water?
Here's a quick look at the main benefits of clove water and what's behind each one.
| Benefit | Why clove water may help | What supports it |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant support | Eugenol and polyphenols help fight free radicals | Lab research on clove extracts |
| Oral health and fresh breath | Eugenol acts against mouth bacteria | Lab studies and long use in dentistry |
| Steadier blood sugar | Clove polyphenols may slow sugar release after meals | Small human pilot study |
| Comfortable digestion | Warming spice traditionally used after heavy meals | Traditional use in Ayurveda |
| Hydration without sugar | Adds flavour to plain water with almost no calories | Simple swap for sugary drinks |
| Scalp care | Antifungal properties may help keep the scalp clean | Lab research |
1. Rich in Antioxidants
Antioxidants help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. Clove extracts score very high for antioxidant activity in lab tests, mainly because of eugenol. A daily glass of clove water is an easy way to add a little more of these protective compounds to your diet.
2. Supports Oral Health and Fresher Breath
Clove has been used for tooth and gum care for centuries, and eugenol is still found in some dental products today. In lab studies, it works against several types of mouth bacteria. Sipping clove water, or swishing it around your mouth, may help keep breath fresher between brushing, which is one of the benefits of clove water people notice first.
3. May Help With Blood Sugar After Meals
This is one of the more interesting benefits of clove water. A 2019 open-label pilot study gave 13 healthy and prediabetic adults 250 mg of a water-soluble clove extract daily for 30 days. Their blood sugar after meals dropped, and the prediabetic group also saw lower fasting levels (study record). That was a concentrated extract in a small group, so clove water works best as a supportive habit alongside a balanced diet, not as a treatment.
4. Comfortable Digestion
In Ayurveda, clove is considered a warming spice and is often taken after heavy meals to ease bloating and support digestion. If you tend to get acidity, keep the brew mild.
5. A Sugar-Free Way to Stay Hydrated
One underrated benefit of drinking clove water is that it makes plain water more interesting. If it replaces a sugary juice, soft drink or extra cup of sweet chai, you cut down on sugar without much effort, and you drink more fluid through the day.
What Are the Benefits of Drinking Clove Water in the Morning?
Many people say they feel the benefits of drinking clove water in the morning most, often on an empty stomach. A morning glass rehydrates you after a night's sleep, freshens your breath, and gives you a warm, sugar-free start to the day. It also builds a steady habit, and sticking with it day after day counts for more than the clock.
If an empty stomach leaves you with acidity, have it after breakfast instead. You'll still get the benefits of clove water whenever you drink it regularly.
How Can Clove Water for Skin Help?
Clove water for skin is popular as a homemade toner, especially for oily or acne-prone skin. Eugenol's antibacterial and antioxidant properties are the reason people reach for it. Drinking it daily also supports your antioxidant intake from the inside.
To use clove water for skin safely:
- Let it cool completely and dilute it with an equal amount of plain water.
- Patch test on your inner arm and wait 24 hours.
- Dab it on with cotton, avoiding the eye area, and rinse off if it stings.
Never put clove oil directly on your face, since it's far stronger than clove water. For lasting skin health, pair it with sunscreen, good sleep and enough protein. If you eat vegetarian and want extra support for your skin's own collagen, see our vegetarian Collagen Builder.
How Do You Use Clove Water for Hair?
The most common use of clove water for hair is as a final rinse after shampoo. People like it for the shine it adds and the fresh, clean feel it leaves on the scalp, and scalp care is one of the lesser-known benefits of clove water. Clove's antifungal properties may also help with mild dandruff and itchiness.
Pour cooled clove water over your scalp after washing, then massage gently for a minute or two.
Does Clove Water for Hair Growth Work?
Clove water for hair growth is mostly about scalp care. A clean, healthy scalp gives hair a better environment to grow, and gentle massage boosts blood flow to the area. For real growth, though, your diet matters most, especially protein, iron and other nutrients, so think of clove water for hair growth as one part of a bigger routine. If you're losing more hair than usual, see a dermatologist so you can treat the cause.
How Do You Make Clove Water at Home?
There are two simple ways to make it, and both take only a few minutes of effort.
| Method | Steps | Taste |
|---|---|---|
| Overnight soak | Add 3 to 5 whole cloves to a glass (about 250 ml) of water, cover, and leave overnight. Strain in the morning. | Mild |
| Quick boil | Simmer 3 to 5 cloves in a glass of water for 5 to 10 minutes, cool, then strain. | Stronger and spicier |
A squeeze of lemon, a small piece of cinnamon or a few mint leaves make it even more pleasant. Skip sugar and honey if you're drinking it for blood sugar.
What Is the Best Use of Clove Water Each Day?
The best use of clove water is one glass a day made with a few whole cloves, either in the morning or after a meal. This keeps it close to the amount of clove you'd get from food. Always use whole cloves, never clove oil, in anything you drink.
What Are the Side Effects of Clove Water?
Clove water is generally safe for most healthy adults in normal amounts. Side effects of clove water are uncommon and usually come from drinking very strong brews or too many glasses:
- An upset stomach or acidity
- A burning feeling in the mouth
- Allergic reactions in people sensitive to cloves
- A possible drop in blood sugar if you already take diabetes medicine
Eugenol has also shown blood-thinning effects in lab research, so check with your doctor first if you take blood thinners, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have surgery coming up.
Keep clove oil well away from children. Vanderbilt University Medical Center's poison control team notes that clove oil is 60 to 90% eugenol, and as little as 5 to 10 ml has seriously harmed young children (poison control note).
FAQs on Clove Water
What is the biggest benefit of drinking clove water?
The biggest benefit of drinking clove water is the antioxidant boost from eugenol and other plant compounds. It also supports oral health and fresher breath, and makes a sugar-free swap for sweet drinks. Drink it regularly as part of a balanced diet to get the most from this simple habit.
Can I drink clove water every day?
Yes, most healthy adults can enjoy one glass a day made with three to five whole cloves. That's close to normal food amounts and keeps the side effects of clove water unlikely. If you're pregnant, take blood thinners or use diabetes medicine, ask your doctor first before you drink it daily.
Does clove water help with weight loss?
Clove water may support weight loss in a small way. It has almost no calories, so replacing sugary drinks with it cuts down your daily intake. Some people also find it helps with digestion after meals. For real results, combine it with a calorie-controlled diet, regular exercise and good sleep.
Is clove water good for teeth and gums?
Yes, clove has a long history in dental care, and eugenol is still used in some dental products. It works against certain mouth bacteria, so rinsing with mild clove water may freshen breath and support gum health. Keep brushing and flossing, and see a dentist for any ongoing tooth pain.
Can I drink clove water at night?
Yes, a warm cup of clove water after dinner can be soothing and may support comfortable digestion. It has no caffeine, so it won't keep you awake. Keep the brew mild if you're prone to acidity, and stick to one glass in total across the day.
How long does clove water take to show results?
There's no fixed timeline, and results vary from person to person. If you drink it daily, give it a few weeks and notice whether your breath feels fresher or your digestion more comfortable. Your overall diet and lifestyle matter too, and one glass a day is plenty.
So, Are the Benefits of Clove Water Worth It?
The benefits of clove water make it a simple, low-cost habit worth trying. A daily glass gives you antioxidants, supports oral health and digestion, may help with blood sugar after meals and keeps you hydrated without sugar. Enjoy the benefits of drinking clove water in the morning or after meals, stick to one glass made with a few whole cloves, and pair it with a healthy diet.
Building a healthy daily routine? Simple habits like clove water work best alongside good nutrition. See whether our Multivit with Ginseng fits your needs.
