✪ Key Takeaway: Cloves may temporarily lower blood pressure through vasodilation, making them unsuitable for people with hypotension.
Introduction
Your grandmother probably swore by cloves for toothaches, but what about blood pressure?
You might be wondering if this aromatic spice can help raise your low blood pressure naturally.
Hi, I’m Abdur, your nutrition coach and today I’m going to explain exactly how cloves affect your blood pressure and whether they’re safe for hypotension.
How Do Cloves Actually Affect Blood Pressure?
Cloves contain eugenol, a powerful compound that makes up about 85% of clove oil.
This compound acts as a natural vasodilator, meaning it relaxes and widens your blood vessels.
When your blood vessels dilate, blood flows more easily through them with less resistance.
This mechanism typically leads to a temporary decrease in blood pressure readings.
Research shows that eugenol can also affect your heart rate by influencing the nervous system pathways that control cardiovascular function.
The vasodilation effect happens within 30 minutes of consuming cloves and can last for several hours depending on the amount consumed.
✪ Fact: Eugenol is so potent that dentists use it as a natural anesthetic for dental procedures.
What Does Science Say About Cloves and Low Blood Pressure?
Multiple studies have examined the cardiovascular effects of clove consumption in both animals and humans.
A 2019 study found that participants who consumed clove extract showed significant reductions in systolic blood pressure within two hours.
Another research study demonstrated that eugenol can block calcium channels in blood vessel walls.
This calcium channel blocking action is the same mechanism used by many prescription blood pressure medications.
The research consistently shows that cloves have hypotensive effects, meaning they lower blood pressure rather than raise it.
For people with already low blood pressure, this could potentially cause dizziness, fainting, or other symptoms of hypotension.
No scientific evidence supports using cloves to raise blood pressure in hypotensive individuals.
✪ Note: Always consult your doctor before using cloves medicinally if you have blood pressure concerns.
Are There Any Risks for People With Hypotension?
People with low blood pressure should be extremely cautious about consuming large amounts of cloves.
The vasodilating effects can make your already low blood pressure drop even further.
This additional drop could trigger symptoms like severe dizziness, fainting spells, or dangerous falls.
Some people experience rapid heart rate as their body tries to compensate for the blood pressure drop.
The combination of low blood pressure and increased heart rate can create a dangerous cardiovascular situation.
Even small amounts of concentrated clove oil or supplements could be problematic for hypotensive individuals.
If you have hypotension and accidentally consume too many cloves, lie down immediately and elevate your legs to help blood flow to your brain.
✪ Pro Tip: Keep a blood pressure log if you use cloves regularly to track any changes in your readings.
What About Using Cloves in Normal Cooking?
Using cloves as a culinary spice in normal cooking amounts is generally safe for most people.
A pinch of ground cloves in your holiday recipes or a few whole cloves in tea typically won’t cause significant blood pressure changes.
The key difference lies in the concentration and quantity you consume.
Medicinal doses of clove oil or concentrated extracts contain much higher levels of active compounds than cooking spices.
However, even culinary amounts can accumulate if you consume clove-heavy dishes frequently throughout the day.
People with hypotension should still monitor their symptoms when adding new spices to their regular diet.
Start with very small amounts and pay attention to how your body responds before increasing your intake.
✪ Fact: One teaspoon of ground cloves contains about 30 milligrams of eugenol, enough to cause mild vasodilation.
The Bottom Line
Cloves are not suitable for raising blood pressure and may actually worsen hypotension through their natural vasodilating properties.
The spice that soothes your tooth can sink your pressure, so people with low blood pressure should approach cloves with caution and always prioritize proven medical treatments over home remedies.
I would love to hear about your experiences with spices and blood pressure management, so please share your thoughts or questions in the comments below.
References
At NutritionCrown, we use quality and credible sources to ensure our content is accurate and trustworthy. Below are the sources referenced in creating this article:
- Journal of Food and Dairy Sciences: Cloves and Blood Pressure Research
- Global Essential Oil: Correlation Among Cloves and Blood Pressure
- Healthline: Benefits of Cloves
- Back in a Flash Now: Cloves Benefits
