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Dietary supplement

Clove Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by BIOVEA

Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Clove is a dietary supplement by BIOVEA with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for toothache and oral pain, digestive upset, antimicrobial and antifungal.Based on those ingredients, 977 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are organic Clove. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Clove by BIOVEA

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: organic clove, the flower buds of the clove plant. Clove is traditionally used for pain, digestion, and cough, and the liquid form is delivered in grain alcohol and deionized water.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed

This product doesn't appear to be marketed for a specific use, so we graded Clove's overall clinical evidence instead.

Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports Clove for:

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.
  • Since the label doesn't commit to one use, we graded the ingredient's overall clinical evidence instead.
  • On file: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) — rated "Possibly Effective" (Natural Medicines).

The evidence for clove is limited. It's possibly effective for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), a serious lung infection in hospitalized patients on breathing machines—though this is a clinical setting, not home use.

For cough, acute pain, and indigestion, the data we have isn't strong enough to say whether it works. If you're considering clove for one of those reasons, talk it over with your doctor.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Clove

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Clove is generally well tolerated as a food spice. The real concern is dose: concentrated clove oil and supplements can be irritating or toxic in large amounts, especially in children—as little as 5–10 mL of clove oil can be toxic in kids.

When used topically, clove is usually well tolerated, though it can cause burning, contact dermatitis, itching, and mouth sores in some people. Food amounts are likely fine, but medicinal or essential-oil doses should be cleared by your provider first.

Avoid inhaled or intravenous clove, as safety data there is weak.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Clove

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Clove.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 978 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Check before taking this product if you use insulin or oral diabetes medications (risk of low blood sugar), or if you take any drug metabolized by the liver enzymes CYP2D6, CYP1A2, CYP3A4, or CYP2C9—a major category covering nearly 1,000 drugs. Also flag topical ibuprofen and blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs like aspirin with your pharmacist.

Use the medication checker on this page to see your specific drugs.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence behind its ingredients' uses. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Clove may work for ventilator-associated pneumonia in hospital settings, but evidence for home use with cough or pain is lacking. The main caution is interaction with diabetes drugs and liver-processed medications—a big category affecting nearly 1,000 individual drugs.

If you take insulin, diabetes pills, or any regular prescription medication, check with your own doctor or pharmacist before adding this supplement.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jul 27, 2021.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Clove, straight from the product label.

Brand BIOVEA
Barcode (UPC) 818423021607
Net contents 1 fl. Oz.; 30 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 27, 2021
DSLD ID 249021
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher, Women (not pregnant or lactating), Gluten Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Clove by BIOVEA, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
0.5 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
0.5 mL
Servings per container
60
UPC/BARCODE
818423021607
IngredientAmount% DV
organic Clove125 mg--

Other ingredients: Grain Alcohol, deionized Water

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Seals/Symbols

GMP Compliant

K Parve K-1604 (Kosher)

Formulation

Non-GMO Gluten free

General Statements

Premium quality guaranteed since 2001. BIOVEA is committed to product quality to support you and your family's wellness goals. Because we feel so strongly about the quality, potency and purity of our products, we 100% guarantee your satisfaction with every purchase.

Guaranteed premium quality

Liquid extract

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Daily Intake: Take 15 drops, 1-3 times per day, or as needed in juice or water.

Shake well before using.

Precautions

Warning: Do not take during pregnancy.

Keep out of reach of children.

Do not use this product if the safety seal on the bottle is broken.

Formula

K Parve K-1604 (Kosher)

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

See for yourself

Clove by BIOVEA label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Clove by BIOVEA

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size0.5 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container60 Amounts shown are per serving.

Organic Clove

Interacts with
977 drugs
125 mg per serving

Clove is a common cooking spice that is also used in traditional medicine, especially as a topical numbing agent for tooth pain thanks to its main com...

Organic Clove monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Grain Alcohol, Deionized Water. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Clove by BIOVEA Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Clove?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
977Drugs
917 Moderate 60 Minor

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Clove with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

organic Clove7 drug types · 977 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, concomitant use of clove extracts with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Clinical and laboratory research suggest that polyphenol extracts from clove flower buds might lower blood glucose levels. Dosing adjustments for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents may be necessary when taken with clove. Monitor blood glucose levels closely.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates

Theoretically, concomitant use of clove may increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.
In vitro research shows that eugenol, the principal constituent of clove, can inhibit CYP1A2 in a dose-dependent manner,. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates

Theoretically, concomitant use of clove may increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9.
In vitro research shows that eugenol, the principal constituent of clove, inhibits CYP2C9 in a dose-dependent manner. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 2D6 (Cyp2D6) Substrates

Theoretically, concomitant use of clove may increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
In vitro research shows that eugenol, the principal constituent of clove, can inhibit CYP2D6 in a dose-dependent manner. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates

Theoretically, concomitant use of clove may increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.
In vitro research shows that eugenol, the principal constituent of clove, can inhibit CYP3A4 in a dose-dependent manner. This effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, clove oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Laboratory research suggests that eugenol, a constituent of clove, has antiplatelet activity. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
Ibuprofen (Advil, Others)

Theoretically, topical application of clove oil with ibuprofen might increase the absorption and side effects of topical ibuprofen.
Laboratory research shows that topical application of clove oil increases the absorption of topical ibuprofen. This interaction has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Clove, from the product label.

BIOVEA

See all BIOVEA products
Name
BIOVEA
Street Address
9160 E. Bahia Dr.
City
Scottsdale
State
AZ
ZipCode
85260
Web Address
www.biovea.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Clove by BIOVEA: Common Questions

Does Clove by BIOVEA interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Clove has a known interaction with 977 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Clove contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Is clove safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Yes, clove is rated likely safe in pregnancy and lactation. That said, food amounts are the standard; medicinal doses haven't been studied as well, so talk to your doctor or midwife if you're thinking of taking a supplement dose while pregnant or nursing.
Can I use this if I take diabetes medication?
Not without checking first. Clove may lower blood sugar on its own, so combining it with insulin or diabetes pills could cause your blood sugar to drop too much. Talk to your doctor before taking both—you may need a dose adjustment.
What are the side effects?
When used as a spice, clove is well tolerated. In liquid or oil form at higher doses, it can irritate your mouth or skin (burning, itching, sores). Rarely, swallowing large amounts of clove oil can cause liver damage or nervous system effects. Food amounts are safe; medicinal doses need caution and a provider's okay first.
Does clove actually work for pain or cough?
The evidence isn't strong enough to say. Clove is possibly effective for a specific hospital-related lung infection, but for everyday cough or pain, we don't have reliable data that it works. Your doctor can help you weigh other options.
Why do I need to check so many medications with this?
Clove's main compound, eugenol, slows how your liver breaks down drugs. That affects a huge family of medications—nearly 1,000 different ones—because most drugs go through the liver. Even if clove doesn't interact with all of them, it could affect yours, so it's worth a quick check with your pharmacist.
Is this safe for kids?
Food amounts of clove are fine. But clove oil can be toxic in small volumes—as little as 5–10 mL in a child can cause serious harm. Keep the liquid bottle away from children, and don't give them any medicinal dose without a pediatrician's approval.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Clove label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Clove's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 26 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Clove 26 references
  1. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
  2. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
  3. Kanerva L, Estlander T, Jolanki R. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from spices. Contact Dermatitis 1996;35:157-62. PubMed
  4. Chen SJ, Wang MH, Chen IJ. Antiplatelet and calcium inhibitory properties of eugenol and sodium eugenol acetate. Gen Pharmacol 1996;27:629-33. PubMed
  5. Malson JL, Lee EM, Murty R, et al. Clove cigarette smoking: biochemical, physiological, and subjective effects. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2003;74:739-45. PubMed
  6. Kirsch CM, Yenokida GG, Jensen WA, et al. Non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema due to the intravenous administration of clove oil. Thorax 1990;45:235-6. PubMed
  7. Pallares, D. E. Link between clove cigarettes and urticaria? Postgrad.Med 10-1-1999;106(4):153. PubMed
  8. Barnard, D. R. Repellency of essential oils to mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae). J Med Entomol. 1999;36(5):625-629. PubMed
  9. Sanchez-Perez, J. and Garcia-Diez, A. Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from eugenol, oil of cinnamon and oil of cloves in a physiotherapist. Contact Dermatitis 1999;41(6):346-347. PubMed
  10. Andersen, K. E., Johansen, J. D., Bruze, M., Frosch, P. J., Goossens, A., Lepoittevin, J. P., Rastogi, S., White, I., and Menne, T. The time-dose-response relationship for elicitation of contact dermatitis in isoeugenol allergic individuals. Toxicol.Appl PubMed
  11. Alqareer, A., Alyahya, A., and Andersson, L. The effect of clove and benzocaine versus placebo as topical anesthetics. J Dent 2006;34(10):747-750. PubMed
  12. Lane, B. W., Ellenhorn, M. J., Hulbert, T. V., and McCarron, M. Clove oil ingestion in an infant. Hum.Exp Toxicol. 1991;10(4):291-294. PubMed
  13. Quirce, S., Fernandez-Nieto, M., del, Pozo, V, Sastre, B., and Sastre, J. Occupational asthma and rhinitis caused by eugenol in a hairdresser. Allergy 2008;63(1):137-138. PubMed
  14. Srivastava, K. C. and Malhotra, N. Acetyl eugenol, a component of oil of cloves (Syzygium aromaticum L.) inhibits aggregation and alters arachidonic acid metabolism in human blood platelets. Prostaglandins Leukot.Essent.Fatty Acids 1991;42(1):73-81. PubMed
  15. Dyrbye, B. A., Dubois, L., Vink, R., and Horn, J. A patient with clove oil intoxication. Anaesth.Intensive Care 2012;40(2):365-366.
  16. Guidotti, T. L., Laing, L., and Prakash, U. B. Clove cigarettes. The basis for concern regarding health effects. West J Med 1989;151(2):220-228.
  17. Anonymous. Evaluation of the health hazard of clove cigarettes. Council on Scientific Affairs. JAMA 12-23-1988;260(24):3641-3644. DOI
  18. Romaguera, C., Alomar, A., Camarasa, J. M., Garcia, Bravo B., Garcia, Perez A., Grimalt, F., Guerra, P., Lopez, Gorretcher B., Pascual, A. M., Miranda, A., and . Contact dermatitis in children. Contact Dermatitis 1985;12(5):283-284. PubMed
  19. Hackett, P. H., Rodriguez, G., and Roach, R. C. Clove cigarettes and high-altitude pulmonary edema. JAMA 6-28-1985;253(24):3551-3552. DOI
  20. Isaacs, G. Permanent local anaesthesia and anhidrosis after clove oil spillage. Lancet 4-16-1983;1(8329):882. PubMed
  21. Saeed, S. A. and Gilani, A. H. Antithrombotic activity of clove oil. J Pak Med Assoc 1994;44(5):112-115.
  22. Hartnoll, G., Moore, D., and Douek, D. Near fatal ingestion of oil of cloves. Arch.Dis Child 1993;69(3):392-393. PubMed
  23. Srivastava, K. C. Antiplatelet principles from a food spice clove (Syzygium aromaticum L) [corrected]. Prostaglandins Leukot.Essent.Fatty Acids 1993;48(5):363-372.
  24. Jiang Q, Wu Y, Zhang H, et al. Development of essential oils as skin permeation enhancers: penetration enhancement effect and mechanism of action. Pharmaceutical Biol. 2017;55(1):1592-1600. PubMed
  25. Mohan R, Jose S, Mulakkal J, Karpinsky-Semper D, Swick AG, Krishnakumar IM. Water-soluble polyphenol-rich clove extract lowers pre- and post-prandial blood glucose levels in healthy and prediabetic volunteers: an open label pilot study. BMC Complement Alt PubMed
  26. Alharbi NFM, Ahad A, Bin Jardan YA, Al-Jenoobi FI. Effect of eugenol on cytochrome P450 1A2, 2C9, 2D6, and 3A4 activity in human liver microsomes. Saudi Pharm J 2024;32(7):102118. PubMed

See these in context on the Clove monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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