Clove essential oil is one of the best oils to keep on hand to use around the house. It has many culinary and medicinal uses. Try some of these recipes to see just how easy it is to incorporate clove oil into some of your daily routines and needs.
Cooking
Clove is one of the oldest used spices in the world. The spice adds great flavor to ginger bread and pumpkin pie, giving these foods their warm flavor profiles. But cloves are also great in soups and even chili. Try these recipes to discover the joy of adding cloves to your meals. When cooking with clove oil, remember how strong it is. One drop is usually equal to an entire jar of ground cloves.
Clove Bundt Cake
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- less than one drop clove essential oil (dip a toothpick into the bottle for this amount)
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- confectioners’ sugar for topping, if desired
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl. Add the eggs and mix well after each one. The mixture will appear curdled; this is normal. Combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Add to the creamed mixture alternately with the buttermilk. Stir in your clove oil last. Pour into a greased and floured 10” fluted tube pan. Bake for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan before placing on to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with the confectioners’ sugar if you wish.
Clove Wassail
Ingredients
- 6 cups apple cider
- 2 cups pineapple juice
- 5 drops clove essential oil
- 5 drops cinnamon bark essential oil
- 5 drops tangerine essential oil
Directions
Mix all ingredients together in a pot and heat until hot. Drink and enjoy. This makes a great holiday drink to enjoy with friends and family.
Clove Barbecue Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 medium onions, sliced
- 1 cup condensed tomato soup
- ¾ cup water
- 3 tablespoons vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 drop clove essential oil
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is set. Use to baste meat or fish.
Note: When cooking with essential oils, always make sure that your chosen brand is labeled GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe).
Cleaning
One of clove oil’s uses will leave your home cleaner and healthier. It is great for removing mold, whether it be in the bathroom, on walls or on the floor. Not only will it remove the dangerous mold spores but it will also leave behind a refreshing scent.
Clove Mold Remover
Ingredients
- 1 liter water
- 1 (1.25ml) bottle clove essential oil
Directions
Combine the ingredients together in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray onto any areas affected by mold. Wait for 24 hours. For hard surfaces, wash or wipe off the surface with a clean, damp cloth. For carpeted surfaces, vacuum as normal.
Clove Weed Killer
Ingredients
- 10 parts white vinegar
- 2 parts clove essential oil
- 2 parts lemon juice
- 1 part liquid soap
Directions
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Pour the solution into a spray bottle or a pump sprayer. Spray directly onto weeds, saturating them. Repeat after one week, if needed.
Natural Air Freshener
Ingredients
- ½ cup distilled water
- 2 drops clove essential oil
Directions
Combine ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well. Allow to sit for 1 hour before using. Spray throughout the room as needed to give it a fresh scent.
Body Care
One of clove oil’s most well known uses is for dental related pain. It also has many great uses for the skin. Remember that clove oil is very strong and it should be tested on the skin before applying to a large area.
Clove Mouthwash
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 10 drops clove essential oil
- 5 drops wintergreen essential oil
- 5 drops tea tree oil
Directions
Mix all ingredients together in a glass jar. Shake well before each use. The mixture should keep on the bathroom counter indefinitely.
Clove Acne Face Toner
Ingredients
- 1 part lavender essential oil
- 1 part citrus essential oil
- 1 part tea tree essential oil
- 1 part olive essential oil
- 1 tablespoon water (more or less as needed for your specific skin type)
- 2 parts clove essential oil
Directions
Mix all ingredients together and set aside. Wash and dry face. Apply the toner every night.
Clove Sore Muscle Rub
Ingredients
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 1 2/4 cups finely grated, packed cocoa butter
- 2 tablespoons cayenne powder
- 2 teaspoons ginger powder
- 15 drops peppermint essential oil
- 15 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 8 drops clove essential oil
- 1 teaspoon arrowroot powder
Directions
Place coconut oil, cayenne and ginger powder in a double boiler. Warm the oil slightly. Turn off the heat and allow it to sit for half an hour. Repeat the process 2 more times. This will take a couple of hours. Remove from heat completely. Place an empty bowl in the freezer. Using a cheesecloth, strain the mixture to remove all of the spices. You should be left with half a cup of oil. It it is less, add more coconut oil. Add the arrowroot powder and stir well. Place the oil into the cold bowl and place back in the freezer. Once it has started to turn white and slightly solid, remove and stir in the essential oils. Using a hand mixer, fluff up the mixture for a few minutes, until peaks form and it is light and fluffy. Store in an airtight jar and keep out of direct sunlight. Rub the cream on sore muscles as needed.
Vanilla Clove Body Spray
Ingredients
- ¼ cup almond oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 drop clove essential oil
Directions
Mix all ingredients together in a spray bottle. Shake well to mix. Spray as desired on the body for a fresh scent.