Making clove oil with coconut oil is a simple infusion process that extracts the active compounds from cloves into the coconut oil, creating a versatile remedy you can use for toothaches, skin care, or massage. There are two main methods: a quicker heat infusion that takes a few hours, and a slower cold infusion that takes several days. Both produce a usable oil, but they differ in potency and hands-on time.
Whole Cloves vs. Ground Cloves
Your choice of cloves matters more than you might expect. Whole cloves contain 15 to 20% essential oil by weight, and the majority of that is eugenol, the compound responsible for clove’s numbing, pain-relieving, and antimicrobial effects. Because eugenol is locked inside the intact bud’s dense cellular structure, whole cloves release it gradually during infusion, producing a well-rounded oil without bitterness.
Ground cloves release their compounds almost instantly, which sounds like an advantage but creates problems. Ground cloves lose measurable amounts of eugenol within 48 hours of grinding, and after three months on your shelf, they may retain only 40 to 50% of their original potency. They also make straining much harder, leaving gritty sediment in your finished oil. Use whole cloves for the best results. If you only have ground cloves, use about 25% less than you would whole, and plan on straining through cheesecloth multiple times.
What You’ll Need
- Whole cloves: about 2 tablespoons (roughly 15 to 20 grams)
- Coconut oil: 1 cup of virgin or refined coconut oil
- A glass jar with a tight lid for the cold method, or a small saucepan and heat-safe bowl for the warm method
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Dark glass bottle for storage
Warm Infusion Method (2 to 3 Hours)
This is the faster approach and works well if you need the oil the same day. Gently crush your whole cloves with the back of a spoon or a mortar and pestle. You’re not grinding them to powder, just cracking them open to expose more surface area.
Set up a double boiler by placing a heat-safe glass bowl over a saucepan with a few inches of simmering water. Add the coconut oil and let it melt completely, then stir in the crushed cloves. Keep the heat low. You want the oil warm to the touch but never smoking or bubbling aggressively. Temperatures that are too high will break down the eugenol and reduce the oil’s effectiveness. A gentle simmer in the water below, with the oil sitting calmly above, is what you’re after.
Let the mixture infuse for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally. The oil will gradually take on a golden-amber color and a strong, warm clove scent. Once done, remove from heat and let it cool for about 20 minutes. Strain through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer into your storage container, pressing the cloves gently to extract as much infused oil as possible. Discard the spent cloves.
Cold Infusion Method (5 to 7 Days)
Cold infusion takes patience but preserves more of the delicate aromatic compounds that heat can destroy. Crush your cloves lightly, then place them in a clean glass jar and pour the coconut oil over them. If your coconut oil is solid at room temperature, warm it just enough to liquefy it before adding. Seal the jar tightly.
Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 5 to 7 days. Every 24 hours, shake or stir the mixture to redistribute the cloves and encourage extraction. Research on cold maceration of cloves shows that keeping the container airtight between agitations helps retain volatile compounds that would otherwise evaporate. After 5 days at minimum, strain the oil through cheesecloth into a clean container.
The cold method typically produces a milder, more nuanced oil compared to the warm method. If you want a stronger infusion, you can repeat the process: strain out the spent cloves, add a fresh batch to the already-infused oil, and let it sit another 5 days.
How to Store Your Infused Oil
Homemade infused oils don’t contain preservatives, so proper storage is essential. According to University of Georgia food safety guidelines, infused oils that contain plant material should be refrigerated and used within 4 days. You can extend this by freezing portions you won’t use right away.
That said, clove oil’s natural antimicrobial properties give this particular infusion a practical advantage over, say, garlic-infused oil. To maximize shelf life regardless, store the finished oil in a dark glass bottle, keep it away from heat and direct light (both accelerate rancidity), and make sure all plant material has been thoroughly strained out. Refrigeration is the safest approach. Coconut oil solidifies in the fridge, but it melts quickly between your palms when you’re ready to use it.
Using Clove-Infused Coconut Oil
The most common use is temporary toothache relief. Eugenol works as a topical pain reliever by blocking the nerve channels that transmit pain signals, including the same receptors involved in capsaicin sensitivity. It’s the reason dentists have used clove-based compounds in clinical settings for decades.
To use it on a toothache, dip a cotton ball or swab into the oil and apply it directly to the sore tooth or gum area. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. You’ll likely feel a warming or mild numbing sensation. You can reapply every 2 to 3 hours as needed. Because your homemade infusion is already diluted in coconut oil, it’s gentler than pure clove essential oil, which can irritate soft tissue if applied undiluted.
Beyond dental use, clove-infused coconut oil works as a massage oil for sore muscles (the warming sensation comes from eugenol’s interaction with nerve receptors), a spot treatment for minor skin irritations, or an ingredient in homemade balms. The antimicrobial properties of eugenol come from its ability to disrupt bacterial cell membranes, causing them to break down and die, which makes the oil useful as a natural antiseptic for small cuts.
Who Should Be Careful With Clove Oil
Eugenol inhibits platelet activity, which means it can slow blood clotting. If you take blood thinners or other medications that affect clotting, regular use of clove oil (especially internally or over large skin areas) could increase your risk of bleeding. Watch for unusual bruising, prolonged bleeding from small cuts, bleeding gums, or changes in menstrual flow. While bleeding complications from topical clove oil haven’t been widely reported, the interaction potential is real enough that it deserves attention if you’re on these medications.
Avoid applying the oil to broken skin in large amounts, and keep it away from young children’s mouths, as swallowing significant quantities of eugenol can cause stomach upset. For occasional use on a sore tooth or a small patch of skin, a properly diluted coconut oil infusion is mild enough for most adults.