Last Updated on June 1, 2025 by Nico
Cloves are commonly used in baking during certain holidays but they also have potent antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Here’s how to make clove tincture to be able to enjoy these health benefits all year round.
Cloves are the aromatic dried flower buds of the clove tree (which is scientifically known by its Latin name syzygium aromaticum). Clove trees are native to Indonesia and produce small, reddish-brown buds that are loved for their warm, spicy flavor and intense aroma. Their strong flavour is due to the bud’s essential oils. The bud’s volatile oils are extracted when making clove tincture or clove extract.
Benefits of clove tincture
Support dental health – Cloves are known for their painkilling and antibacterial properties. Clove tincture can be used as a mouthwash to help reduce toothaches, gum pain, and even oral infections.
Supports digestion – Clove tincture may help the overall function of the digestive tract by stimulating the production of digestive enzymes. This can help to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort and bloating.
Antimicrobial properties – Cloves have potent antimicrobial properties, which makes them effective in fighting against bacteria and viruses. It can be used topically to treat fungal infections like athlete’s foot or as a disinfectant for minor cuts and scrapes.
Pain relief – Clove oil, or eugenol, has painkilling properties and can help relieve muscle, and joint pain, and even headaches. Eugenol also has powerful antiseptic properties, which work together with clove’s antimicrobial properties to make it a potent natural remedy for fighting infections and promoting oral health.
Supports respiratory health – The aromatic compounds in clove can help clear congestion and soothe respiratory ailments like coughs, colds, and asthma.
Antioxidant properties – Cloves are rich in antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress. Regular consumption of clove tincture may support overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
There are many other herbal tinctures you can make that have antioxidant properties. Here are some ideas…
How to make clove bud tincture
Tools
An airtight container with a plastic lid – I use a glass mason jar with a piece of parchment paper between the metal lid and tincture to prevent the alcohol from corroding the metal.
A small amber glass bottle with dropper tops – I use these ones.
A fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or coffee filter
A small funnel
A coffee grinder (optional) – to blend the cloves
Supplies
Dried cloves – Here’s an organic source.
80-proof vodka (or 40% grain alcohol) – If you want to avoid alcohol, you can simply swap out the alcohol for store-bought apple cider vinegar or food-grade glycerin. I use this raw, bulk apple cider vinegar and this food-grade glycerin.
For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.
Instructions
Add the dried cloves to a coffee grinder. Blend until they are a fine powder. (I don’t have a coffee grinder so I use whole cloves to make this tincture.)
Add the cloves to a sanitised clean mason jar (or any glass jar you have).
To begin the extraction process, submerge the cloves in alcohol and make sure they’re completely covered.
Add the lid and shake the jar to ensure all of the cloves are covered by alcohol.
Leave the jar to sit in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight for 6-8 weeks.
Aim to shake the jar 3-4 times a week to keep everything covered in alcohol.
After 6-8 weeks, use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain off the tincture. If you ground your cloves, I’d recommend using cheesecloth or a coffee filter to ensure that all of the cloves are removed from the final tincture.
Use a funnel to add the tincture to an amber glass dropper bottle.
Add the date and label the tincture to make sure you don’t forget what it is.
That’s it!
How much clove tincture to take?
Start by taking a small amount (a few drops) and work your way up to a full dose. I like to take 1 dropper full per day.
How long does clove tincture last?
Like many homemade alcohol-based tinctures, clove tincture has a long shelf life if stored away from direct sunlight. I like to use the tincture within 1-2 years.
How to use clove tincture
Directly – The easiest way to use clove tincture is to add the dosage under your tongue. Hold it there for 20-30 seconds and then swallow.
Diluted in tea or coffee – Add the dosage into a mug of your favourite tea or coffee for an added spicy flavour.
For oral health – Add the dosage to a cup of warm water to create a homemade mouthwash. Swish the solution in your mouth for a minute or two to freshen your breath, soothe gum pain, and alleviate toothaches. Then spit the mixture out.
As a digestive aid – Mix a few drops of clove tincture into herbal teas or warm water and drink it before or after meals to aid digestion, relieve bloating, and soothe gastrointestinal discomfort.
Disclaimer – I’m not a medical professional and do not intend to offer medical or health advice in any content I create. I offer information for educational purposes and, as always, get your physician’s advice or the advice of your healthcare provider before trying a new herbal remedy. There are always possible unintended consequences of trying a new herbal remedy such as an allergic reaction or unexpected side effects like interactions with medications for other health conditions.
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How To Make Clove Tincture & Extract (Many Herbal Benefits)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add the dried cloves to a coffee grinder. Blend until they are a fine powder. (I don’t have a coffee grinder so I use whole cloves to make this tincture.)
- Add the cloves to a sanitised clean mason jar (or any glass jar you have).
- To begin the extraction process, submerge the cloves in alcohol and make sure they’re completely covered.
- Add the lid and shake the jar to ensure all of the cloves are covered by alcohol.
- Leave the jar to sit in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight for 6-8 weeks.
- Aim to shake the jar 3-4 times a week to keep everything covered in alcohol.
- After 6-8 weeks, use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain off the tincture. If you ground your cloves, I’d recommend using cheesecloth or a coffee filter to ensure that all of the cloves are removed from the final tincture.
- Use a funnel to add the tincture to an amber glass dropper bottle.
- Add the date and label the tincture to make sure you don’t forget what it is.
On the clove recipie I don’t see the % of eugenol extracted with this method. When straning does the cloth capture some of the medicinal constituents making tinture weaker? Thanks. Amber
Hey Amber, I use the folk method to make all of my tinctures at the moment so I can’t say about exact percentages. If you squeeze the cheesecloth fully I wouldn’t worry about much medicine being left on it.
I think you’d be able to squueze a lot more liquid out of the spent cloves if you did use the coffee grinder, but you could also put them in a small cloth bag and gently beat them with a hammer to powder them before tincturing. It’s nearly impossible to squeeze all of the goodness out of woody herbs without powdering them first.
Thanks for inspiring me to tincture some clove. I normally use the essential oil but this is a great idea.
I did whole cloves, not sure how much i put in, but a lot. It is very strong tasting. Not like other tinctures I’ve had/made. Is this correct?
A strong flavour is no reason to worry. As long as everything was kept below the alcohol while it’s steeped, it should be fine.