Clove water is simple to make: simmer a teaspoon of whole cloves in a cup of water, then let it steep. The result is a fragrant, amber liquid people use as a daily drink, a hair rinse, or a mouth rinse. The whole process takes about 20 minutes, and you can adjust the strength depending on how you plan to use it.
Basic Clove Water Recipe
You need two ingredients: 1 teaspoon of whole cloves (roughly 5 to 7 cloves) and 1 cup (250 ml) of water. Bring the water to a boil, add the cloves, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. The longer you simmer, the stronger the flavor and the darker the water becomes. Turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let the mixture steep for another 10 to 15 minutes. Strain out the cloves, and it’s ready.
If you prefer a milder version, you can skip the boiling step entirely. Place the cloves in room-temperature water, cover, and let the jar sit on the counter for 8 to 12 hours, away from direct sunlight. This cold-steeping method produces a gentler extract with a lighter taste, which some people prefer for drinking first thing in the morning.
Scaling Up and Storing It
To make a larger batch, keep the same ratio: about 1 teaspoon of cloves per cup of water. A liter batch uses roughly 4 teaspoons. Store clove water in a sealed glass jar or bottle in the refrigerator, where it stays good for 2 to 3 days. After that, discard it and make a fresh batch. At room temperature it spoils much faster, so refrigeration isn’t optional if you’re making it ahead of time.
What’s Actually in Clove Water
When researchers analyzed a clove water extract using gas chromatography, they identified 58 different compounds. The dominant one, by a wide margin, is eugenol, which made up over 53% of the extract. Eugenol is the compound responsible for that warm, slightly numbing sensation cloves are known for, and it drives most of the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects people associate with cloves. The extract also contains caryophyllene (about 12%), caryophyllene oxide, vanillin, and a range of phenolic compounds that act as antioxidants.
A water-based extract pulls out these compounds less aggressively than an oil-based one, which is why clove water is gentler than pure clove oil and generally better suited for drinking or using on skin and hair.
Drinking Clove Water
Most people drink clove water for digestive comfort. Cloves can stimulate digestive enzymes, reduce gas, and ease bloating after meals. The effect is modest: you may notice a flatter stomach and more predictable digestion, but that comes from reduced bloating rather than any fat-burning effect. Some people drink it warm in the morning on an empty stomach, others sip it after a heavy meal.
For daily drinking, stick to one cup. The World Health Organization sets the acceptable daily intake of eugenol at 2.5 mg per kilogram of body weight. A single cup of clove water made with 5 to 7 cloves stays well within that range for most adults, but drinking several strong cups a day could push you closer to the limit.
Using Clove Water as a Hair Rinse
Clove water has become a popular DIY hair rinse, and there’s some logic behind it. Eugenol and the other antioxidant compounds in cloves can improve blood circulation to the scalp, which stimulates hair follicle activity. Cloves also contain beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A, a nutrient involved in regulating the oil production that keeps your scalp and hair healthy. The antimicrobial and antifungal properties can help with dandruff or an itchy, inflamed scalp.
To use it, make a batch using the simmering method above (a stronger concentration works better for topical use), let it cool completely, and pour it over clean, freshly washed hair. Massage it into your scalp for a few minutes, leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse. Use it once or twice a week. Overusing clove-based products can dry out your scalp and hair, so follow up with a moisturizing conditioner, especially if your hair tends toward dryness.
Using It as a Mouth Rinse
Cloves have a long history in dental care, and there’s solid research behind it. Clove extracts suppress oral bacteria by up to 70%, which is why clove oil shows up as an ingredient in many toothpastes. Lab studies show that clove compounds are effective against a broad range of bacteria involved in gum disease, including species that cause plaque buildup and gingivitis.
In a clinical trial comparing a herbal mouthrinse containing clove, tea tree oil, and basil against a standard commercial mouthrinse, the herbal version performed comparably on plaque and gum inflammation scores. After 21 days, the herbal group actually had a significantly lower bacterial load than the commercial mouthrinse group. To use clove water as a rinse, swish a small amount around your mouth for 30 to 60 seconds after brushing, then spit it out. The natural numbing quality of eugenol can also provide mild relief if your gums are sore.
Skin and Acne
Clove water’s antimicrobial properties extend to skin health. Clove oil shows broad-spectrum activity against the bacteria most commonly associated with acne breakouts, including the specific strains that colonize pores and trigger inflammation. Research also confirmed activity against staph bacteria found on the skin’s surface and even against the fungus Candida albicans. A formulation with just 1% clove oil demonstrated the strongest antimicrobial effect against these acne-related organisms in one study.
Clove water is far more dilute than clove oil, making it gentler for skin use. You can apply it to your face with a cotton pad as a toner after cleansing. Start with every other day to make sure your skin tolerates it, since eugenol can cause irritation in sensitive individuals. If you notice redness or stinging, dilute the water further or reduce frequency.
Who Should Be Careful
Clove water is safe for most people in normal culinary amounts, but eugenol can slow blood clotting. If you take blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs), drinking clove water regularly could increase your risk of bruising and bleeding. For the same reason, it’s wise to stop using concentrated clove preparations for a couple of weeks before any scheduled surgery.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women and young children should keep consumption to the small amounts typically used in cooking rather than drinking concentrated clove water daily. And if you’re using clove water topically, always test a small patch of skin first. Eugenol can cause contact irritation in some people, particularly at higher concentrations.