Is It Safe To Use Clove During Pregnancy?

Image: Midjourney/ MomJunction Design Team

Clove is a versatile spice used to flavor food and beverages. It is rich in vitamins and minerals and has many medicinal properties. But is it safe to consume cloves during pregnancy? Pregnant women are cautious about each and everything they put in their mouths. However, due to much misinformation floating around, it may not be clear if the ingredient on the table is safe for you or not. To get accurate information and facts, read this post as we tell you about the nutrition, safety, and health benefits of consuming cloves during pregnancy.

What Is Clove?

Clove is a herb that is used in various forms for eating and medicinal purposes. Clove is mainly used for its oil, leaves, dried flower buds, and stems.

Are Cloves Safe During Pregnancy?

Cloves are widely used in food recipes. They are safe during pregnancy if you use them as a part of your food. However, there is limited research on the safety of cloves as a medicinal supplement during pregnancy (1).

Melbourne-based obstetrician/gynecologist Dr. Alex Polyakov says, “During pregnancy, the safest form of clove for consumption is generally as a culinary spice used in cooking. This means that cloves are used in small quantities to flavor foods and are part of a complex matrix of ingredients, limiting exposure to any compound. Whole or ground cloves used this way are unlikely to pose a risk when consumed as part of a balanced diet.”

The best thing to do is include small amounts of clove in your food and stay away from using it in the form of medication.

Point to consider

Do not take clove oil without doctors’ approval, as it can interact with medications and alter their effects (4).

Health Benefits Of Clove While You Are Pregnant

Using clove as a food ingredient during pregnancy is safe. So, stick to using it in the spice form. You should also avoid using clove as a part of any other medicinal supplement unless directed by your doctor. Additionally, refrain from using clove oil when you are pregnant. The reason for it is that its safety and efficacy, especially for unborn babies, aren’t well established. Here are some health benefits of eating cloves during pregnancy:

• Cloves are a rich source of antioxidants. Scientists examined the antioxidant effects of clove and found that clove bud oil extract, when used at a concentration of 45 μg/mL, displayed high antioxidant activity, inhibiting free radicals by more than 60% (2). Certain antioxidants in cloves help activate your body’s antioxidants. As a result, your body fights off any oxidative cell damage and the antioxidants and anti-fungal properties aid in infection prevention.
• The rich amount of antioxidants is a great way to increase your immunity and is especially useful while you are pregnant.

Quick fact

According to the USDA, clove is classified among the 100 richest sources of polyphenols (compounds that act as antioxidants) (5).

• Cloves contain a high amount of minerals such as manganese, sodium and phosphorus. All these minerals will help promote your unborn baby’s development.
• The dietary fiber in cloves will also help keep your digestion smooth and regulate your bowel movements. When you are pregnant, constipation is a common problem. Including clove in your main dishes will help alleviate any constipation or digestive problems.
• The vitamin C and K in cloves will add to your overall respiratory health and also prevent you from contracting cold and flu, another health condition that is common when you are pregnant.
• Cloves contain a high amount of omega-3 fatty acids. The fatty acids help promote your unborn baby’s brain development. It keeps your baby’s nervous system healthy and lets it develop normally.
• The protein and carbohydrate found in cloves will provide you with a dash of energy while you are pregnant.
• The calcium and phosphorus content in clove promotes your unborn baby’s bone formation.
• Cloves are also a good source of flavonoids that act as anti-inflammatory agents. Eating clove during pregnancy will prevent joint ache or swelling.

Did you know?

Cloves are often used to relieve toothache, treat mouth ulcers or inflammation, and treat skin issues such as athlete’s foot (6).

Side Effects of Consuming Cloves When Pregnant

Consuming moderate amounts of cloves during pregnancy is generally considered safe. However, consuming cloves in large amounts might lower sugar levels. It may also slow down blood clotting, which can potentially lead to bruising and bleeding (3). Cloves belong to the Myrtaceae family, and individuals allergic to other foods from this family, such as allspice or guava, may experience cross-reactivity with cloves. Therefore, speak to your healthcare provider if you are adding cloves to your diet during pregnancy for the first time.

Infographic: Health Benefits Of Clove During Pregnancy

Cloves are a popular spice used for cooking Indian dishes and as an ingredient in traditional medicine. The infographic below explains how it might benefit a pregnant woman’s health. However, it is better to stick to moderate consumption of this spice while pregnant to reap its benefits while preventing any side effects.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Is It Safe To Use Clove During Pregnancy?

Image: Dalle E/MomJunction Design Team

Was this article helpful?

Community Experiences

Join the conversation and become a part of our nurturing community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with fellow parents.

Reviewer Expert Author Editor Fact Checker

Michelle HawksworthRD

Michelle Hawksworth is a registered dietician with four years of experience. She is also a trained yoga instructor. During her training, Michelle developed an interest in nutrition before, during and after pregnancy. This has led her to work with to-be and expectant mothers to help them optimize their health before, during and after pregnancy.

Read full bio of Michelle Hawksworth

• 
  Dr. Alex PolyakovMBBS FRANZCOG, MClinEpid, MReproMed, MHealth&MedLaw, GradCertEBM Dr. Alex Polyakov is an advanced laparoscopic surgeon specializing in gynecological and fertility-related procedures. After graduating from the University of Adelaide in 2000, Dr. Polyakov completed his internship at the Royal Adelaide Hospital before moving to Melbourne to start his specialist training in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
  
  Dr. Alex Polyakov is an advanced laparoscopic surgeon specializing in gynecological and fertility-related procedures. After graduating from the University of Adelaide in 2000, Dr. Polyakov completed his internship at the Royal Adelaide Hospital before moving to Melbourne to start his specialist training in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Ria SahaB.Tech

Ria is a techie-turned-writer and writes articles on health, with special emphasis on nutrition. She did her B.Tech from West Bengal University of Technology and was previously associated with IBM as SAP ABAP technical consultant.

Read full bio of Ria Saha

Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children.

Read full bio of Swati Patwal

Lorraine TeronMSc

Lorraine is a postgraduate in Life Science from Mount Carmel College and previously worked as a freelance scientific illustrator. As a project associate and lab technician at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Lorraine received valuable insights into Covid-19, transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, and neuro-degenerative diseases.

Read full bio of Lorraine Teron