Drinking clove water first thing in the morning has become a popular health trend, with many touting its abilities to aid digestion, boost immunity, and more. Cloves contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that may provide wellness advantages when consumed as an infusion in water. Let’s examine the evidence behind clove water’s purported perks and best practices for preparing and drinking this aromatic morning beverage.

What Are Cloves?

Cloves come from the dried flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum, an evergreen tree native to Indonesia. Along with their sweet, warming flavor, cloves contain:

• Eugenol: An antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound
• Gallotannins: Phytonutrients with antioxidant effects
• Volatile oils: Containing compounds like methyl salicylate, known for pain-relieving properties
• Vitamins and minerals: Like manganese, vitamin K, and vitamin C

These components are thought to imbue clove water with potential functional benefits. But research specifically on cloves is still emerging. Studies of clove extract and its purified compounds like eugenol provide additional insights.

Evidence Behind Purported Benefits of Clove Water

Here is what the science says so far regarding the touted wellness boons of drinking clove water:

1. Liver Support: Animal studies indicate that eugenol from cloves exhibits hepatoprotective effects, meaning it protects liver cells from damage and toxicity. This suggests clove water may support healthy liver function, but human data is lacking.
2. Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Test tube and rodent studies reveal clove extract and isolated eugenol from cloves have pronounced anti-inflammatory properties. This may support the traditional use of clove infusions to reduce inflammation.
3. Anti-Microbial Properties: Lab research demonstrates cloves have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. This is attributed to compounds like eugenol. Clove infusions may help inhibit pathogens, but human studies confirming this effect are still needed.
4. Digestive Aid: Cloves have a long history of use in folk medicine as a digestive aid. Compounds in cloves may relax intestinal smooth muscle and help relieve gas and bloating. However, clinical studies evaluating cloves for digestion are limited.
5. Immunity Booster: Cloves contain antioxidants like eugenol that may enhance the body’s infection-fighting abilities. In animal studies, cloves enhanced immune cell function. But human trials are needed to verify effects.
6. Pain Relief: Applied topically, clove oil exhibits pain-relieving properties, likely due to compounds like eugenol. Consumed orally in water, cloves’ pain-relieving effects are less pronounced but may still lend mild analgesic properties.
7. Blood Sugar Regulation: Early lab and animal research indicates that cloves may aid blood sugar control, possibly by slowing carbohydrate digestion and absorption. But current evidence is insufficient to confirm benefits for human diabetes management.

While preliminary research on clove extracts is intriguing, higher quality clinical studies in people are still needed to substantiate many claims about clove water benefits. Always talk to your doctor before using cloves to treat any health conditions.

Best Practices for Drinking Clove Water

If you wish to incorporate clove water into your morning wellness ritual, here are some tips:

1. Use whole or ground cloves - Prepare your infusion with whole cloves for milder flavor or ground cloves for stronger taste.
2. Boil crushed cloves - Lightly crushing whole cloves helps release the aromatic oils. Boil crushed cloves for 5-10 minutes to extract maximum benefits.
3. Try a clove and cinnamon combo - Complementary spices like cinnamon add flavor and potential antioxidant synergies.
4. Sweeten cautiously - Limit added sugars by sweetening gently with lemon, honey, or maple syrup to taste.
5. Steep overnight - For maximum extraction of compounds, steep cloves in hot water overnight in the refrigerator.
6. Start with 1 cup daily - Drink just one cup of clove water in the morning to assess tolerance before increasing your intake.
7. Watch for oral irritation - Clove oil can sometimes cause mild numbing or irritation on mucous membranes for sensitive individuals.

Avoid during pregnancy - Clove consumption is not advised during pregnancy except perhaps in small culinary doses. Discuss with your doctor.

Potential Side Effects and Safety Considerations

When consumed in normal food amounts, cloves are likely safe for most people. However, concentrated clove oil or excessive use of cloves may cause:

• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Abdominal discomfort
• Mouth numbing or irritation
• Allergic reactions
• Seizures when taken in extremely high doses
• Blood thinning and interference with anesthesia, so stopping 1-2 weeks pre-surgery is recommended.

If you have any medical conditions or take any medications, check with your healthcare provider before drinking clove water regularly. And as with any new food, start small and watch for allergic reactions or intolerances.

Should You Drink Clove Water?

Cloves certainly contain beneficial plant compounds. And research to date on clove extracts shows promise for health benefits ranging from liver protection to blood sugar support.
However, current evidence is still preliminary. High quality clinical studies specifically on clove water are still needed to confirm many touted advantages.
As an aromatic, soothing morning drink, clove water is generally safe for most people when consumed in moderation. If you enjoy the flavor and feel better after drinking it, there is likely no harm in incorporating it into your daily routine as one component of an overall healthy lifestyle.
But be realistic in your expectations of what clove water can achieve. Rely on lifestyle measures like a nutritious diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management alongside clove water for total mind-body wellness. Ultimately, speak to your doctor to see if clove water may benefit your individual health goals.

Conclusion
Drinking clove water in the morning has traditionally been used as a digestive aid and immunity booster thanks to antioxidants like eugenol. Research on clove extracts shows preliminary promise for benefits like anti-inflammatory effects and liver protection. However, human studies specifically on clove water are still limited.
Potential advantages of clove water must be weighed against side effect risks like mouth irritation, blood thinning, and interactions with pregnancy and medications. While likely safe in moderation for most people, excessive intake may cause adverse effects.
Always check with your doctor before adding clove water to your regular routine, especially if you have any medical conditions or take any medications. When enjoyed responsibly alongside overall healthy lifestyle habits, clove water may provide aromatic flavor and phytonutrient perks to start your day. But rely on clinical evidence rather than hearsay when evaluating any wellness claims about clove water benefits.