How do I use clove essential oil at home?

Clove essential oil is highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way. The most common way to use it at home is in an aromatherapy diffuser: add one or two drops to the diffuser water (or the number recommended by your diffuser’s instructions) and let the warm, spicy scent fill the room. Because clove oil evaporates slowly, the aroma tends to stay noticeable longer than lighter citrus or floral oils.

For massage or any skin contact, you must first mix the oil with a base oil — for example jojoba, sweet almond, or sunflower oil. Do not apply undiluted clove oil to the skin. Start with a low concentration: a drop or two of clove oil in a larger amount of carrier oil is usually enough, and you can always add more if the scent is too faint. Clove oil is intense, so it is often combined with milder oils to soften the sharp-spicy edge. Before using a new blend on a larger area, test it on a small patch of skin.

Keep the oil away from your eyes and mucous membranes, and do not use it on broken or irritated skin. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, choosing oils for children, or have very reactive skin, seek individual advice before use. Store the bottle tightly closed in a cool, dark place, out of reach of children.