Honey and Cloves: Warm Spice, Old Remedies and Kitchen Uses
Honey and cloves is a pairing with deep roots in kitchens and folk medicine. Cloves bring an intense, warm, almost numbing spice; honey softens that intensity with sweetness. Together they flavor glazed hams, mulled cider, chai and holiday baking. Cloves are also known for eugenol, a compound used in dentistry, which is why honey and cloves appear in traditional remedies for toothaches and sore throats. This article explains what research says about cloves, how to use honey and cloves in cooking, and important safety notes about clove oil. For a sister spice, see honey and cardamom.
For general education only, not medical advice. Our honey is a food and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
What cloves are
Cloves are the dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree, native to Indonesia's Maluku Islands. They were among the most valuable spices in the ancient world and drove centuries of trade.
A review titled Clove (Syzygium aromaticum): a precious spice notes that clove buds can contain up to 18 percent essential oil, about 89 percent of which is eugenol.
What research says about cloves
In lab tests, clove oil and eugenol show strong antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, according to the same review. Eugenol has a long history in dentistry, where it is used in some temporary fillings and dressings for its numbing effect.
Human studies on eating cloves for health are limited. Lab results do not mean that cloves in food treat infections.
Honey and cloves for toothaches
Folk remedies often call for clove oil or a whole clove held near a sore tooth, sometimes mixed with honey. Eugenol can temporarily numb pain. But undiluted clove oil can burn gums and soft tissues, and honey is sugar, which is not ideal for teeth.
A toothache usually signals a problem that needs a dentist. Use home measures only for short-term comfort until you can be seen.
Honey and cloves for a sore throat
Warm water with honey and a few whole cloves is a traditional throat soother in many cultures. Honey may help ease coughs in people over one year old, as our article on honey for sore throat explains. Cloves add warmth and aroma, though their role has not been tested.
Cooking with honey and cloves
Classic uses for the pairing:
| Dish | How to use honey and cloves |
|---|---|
| Glazed ham | Stud with cloves, brush with honey and mustard glaze |
| Mulled cider or wine | Simmer with cloves, cinnamon, orange; sweeten with honey |
| Chai | Cloves with cardamom, ginger and black tea, sweetened with honey |
| Spiced poached pears | Poach in water with cloves and honey |
| Gingerbread and spice cakes | Ground cloves with honey for depth |
Honey and cloves mulled cider
Simmer four cups of apple cider with eight whole cloves, two cinnamon sticks and a few orange slices for 15 minutes without boiling. Remove from heat, stir in two to three tablespoons of honey, and serve warm.
Our honey and cinnamon guide has more warming spice ideas.
- 4 cups apple cider
- 8 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- Orange slices
- 2 to 3 tablespoons honey, added off the heat
Clove-infused honey
Place a teaspoon of whole cloves in a small jar and cover with honey. Leave for one to two weeks, then strain or leave the cloves in. Use the spiced honey in tea, on toast or in baking.
Keep infused honey sealed and dry to prevent fermentation.
Use cloves sparingly
Cloves are powerful. A few whole cloves or a pinch of ground clove flavors an entire dish. Too much can taste medicinal and numbing. Remove whole cloves before serving, since biting one is unpleasant.
Safety notes on clove oil
Clove oil is concentrated and can irritate skin, gums and mucous membranes. It should never be given to children by mouth, since swallowing clove oil has caused serious poisoning in young children. Keep it out of reach.
Eugenol may affect blood clotting, so people on blood thinners or before surgery should avoid clove oil supplements and ask a doctor.
Safety notes on honey
Never give honey to babies under 12 months. People with diabetes should count honey as carbohydrate.
Cloves and dental care
While eugenol has a place in dentistry, the best protection for teeth is brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, limiting sugary foods and regular dental visits. Honey, like any sugar, can contribute to decay.
Storing cloves
Whole cloves keep their oils for a year or more in a sealed jar. Ground cloves lose aroma faster. A good whole clove releases a little oil when pressed with a fingernail.
The takeaway
Honey and cloves are a festive, warming pairing in the kitchen. Use whole cloves sparingly, keep clove oil away from children, and see a dentist for toothaches rather than relying on remedies.
A honey for spiced drinks
Al Safa's raw honeys are never heated above hive temperature, which makes them ideal for stirring into mulled drinks once they come off the heat.
Find a jar in our shop.
Sources
Outside health sources we used for this article. They open in a new tab.
- Clove (Syzygium aromaticum): a precious spice · Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine (via PMC)
- Honey (drugs and supplements) · Mayo Clinic
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit (infants and toddlers) · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Frequently asked questions
- Is honey and cloves good for a sore throat?
- Honey may soothe coughs. Cloves add warmth but have not been tested for throat symptoms.
- Can honey and cloves help a toothache?
- Eugenol may numb briefly, but see a dentist. Undiluted clove oil can burn gums.
- How do I make clove-infused honey?
- Cover a teaspoon of whole cloves with honey and leave for one to two weeks.
- Is clove oil safe for children?
- No. Swallowing clove oil can poison young children.
- What dishes use honey and cloves?
- Glazed ham, mulled cider, chai, poached pears and spice cakes.
- How many cloves should I use?
- A few whole cloves or a pinch of ground clove is usually enough.
- Do cloves interact with medicines?
- Clove oil may affect clotting. Ask a doctor if you take blood thinners.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice, and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Talk to your doctor about any health concern. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.