Can you use DMSO with clove essential oil?
NOTE: Clove essential oil can be diluted with a carrier oil such as MCT oil for use in teething, but it should not be combined with DMSO when being used in infants. We talk more below about how to use clove essential oil for teething and also how to use DMSO for teething pain, but these two medicines should be used SEPARATELY in babies and young children. Clove essential oil is extremely effective in the treatment of dental pain, and can be combined with DMSO to enhance its pain-relieving effects and to encourage healing on a deeper level. While clove essential oil is most commonly used to treat dental problems, it also has been studied as a treatment for various other health conditions, both with and without DMSO. Clove essential oil has the following medicinal actions in the body:- Anti-inflammatory
- Antibacterial
- Antifungal
- Candida spp.
- Aspergillus spp.
- Microsporum spp.
- Trichophyton spp.
- Epidermophyton floccosum
- Antioxidant
- Anticancer
- Wound healing
- Antimicrobial
- Antiviral
- Ebola
- Influenza A
- Herpes Simplex 1 and 2
- West Nile Virus
- Dengue virus
- Zika virus
- Yellow fever
- HIV-1 (initial stages)
- Feline calicivirus (a substitute for human norovirus)
- Antimutagenic
- Spermicidal
- Anesthetic
- Antiseptic
- Carminative
- Anticoagulant
- Antihelminthic
- Antidiarrheal
- Antispasmodic and spasmolytic
- Hepatoprotective
- Anticonvulsant
- Antidepressant
- Antipyretic
- Renal reinforcing / Supports kidneys
- Neuroprotective
- Antistress
- Antiallergic
- Antidiabetic
- Hypocholesterolemic
Clove Essential Oil, Pain, and Inflammation
When applied topically, clove essential oil and eugenol (a primary compound found in clove oil) have been found to have comparable pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory effects to diclofenac gel. Within 3 hours of application clove essential oil/eugenol can reduce inflammation by 20-60%. In fact, clove’s analgesic effects are so powerful that they resemble those produced by lidocaine, a widely used local anesthetic.The analgesic, or pain-relieving effects, of clove essential oil comes from clove’s interaction with the opioid and cholinergic systems.
Specific pain-related issues that have been successfully treated with clove essential oil include:
- Acute corneal pain
- Headaches and migraines
- Dental pain
- Joint pain
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How to Use DMSO and Clove Essential Oil for Toothaches and Dental Problems
There are 2 methods for using clove essential oil as a remedy for toothache and dental issues (you can choose one of these methods, or use them both, depending on what feels right to you based on your individual situation):- Apply the clove essential oil (with or without a carrier oil) directly to the treatment area
- Make an oil pulling mix with clove essential oil
Using the first method, we recommend diluting the clove essential oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil or olive oil first. Consider adding 10 drops of clove oil to 1 teaspoon of carrier oil at first. You can reduce the dilution if needed, and even apply the clove oil in small quantities directly to the area that you’re treating. Some people may be more or less sensitive to clove essential oil. Apply as-needed or every 2-3 hours throughout the day/night.
To do oil pulling, combine 1 tablespoon of extra virgin coconut oil with 10-15 drops of clove essential oil. Swish the oil in your mouth for at least a few minutes; ideally, you should keep swishing for 15-20 minutes before spitting the oil out. Beginners may only be able to do a few minutes at first though, so work your way up slowly if needed. Oil pulling should be done once a day, in the morning upon waking, preferably on an empty stomach and before brushing your teeth (read this article to find tooth-safe, natural toothpaste alternatives to use instead of commercial toothpaste). Do NOT swallow the oil; spit the oil out into a trash can after you’re finished (don’t spit oil into the sink, to avoid clogging the drains!).
With whichever treatment method you choose, be aware that a numbing or even a slight burning sensation is normal at first after applying clove essential oil. This usually passes and quickly leads to pain relief.
DMSO can also be used to relieve dental pain. In most cases, we don’t recommend combining DMSO directly with clove essential oil, however it can complete a dental pain protocol. 15-20 minutes after using clove essential oil, you can either apply DMSO directly to the affected area OR add 10 drops of DMSO to some clean, fresh water in a glass container, and use this mix as a mouthwash 2-3 times per day. Both the clove and the DMSO will work together to not only kill pain, but also to treat infections, sores, and other dental problems.
Oil Pulling Mixture with Coconut Oil, Clove Oil, and More...
Clove Essential Oil and DMSO for Male Infertility, Testicular Cancer, and Other Men’s Reproductive Health Problems
Animal studies have found that a combination of clove essential oil and DMSO can specifically help alleviate the toxic effects of cadmium on testicular and epididymal tissues. One study in particular involved the use of clove essential oil combined directly with DMSO; in this study, 10mg/kg of clove essential oil dissolved in DMSO was orally administered to male Wistar rats once a day in the morning.The clove essential oil and DMSO treatment used in this study was found to effectively combat the oxidative damage done by cadmium chloride to the male reproductive organs. Clove essential oil + DMSO was specifically found to increase sperm motility and sperm count, and to increase luteinizing hormone (LH) levels back to normal. This study’s finding supported previous research that determined that clove essential oil can also elevate testosterone levels and improve secretory activities of the epididymis and seminal vesicle. DMSO in particular may help prevent spermatozoa necrosis caused by oxidative damage.
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Clove Essential Oil for Wound Treatment
Clove is a powerful antimicrobial agent, and is known to facilitate wound healing. DMSO is also powerful as a wound healer. On its own, animal studies have found that clove essential oil can produce wound contraction of 95% when administered daily for 15 days; this is comparable to the wound healing effects of neomycin, a popular antibiotic cream.Clove Essential Oil for Cancer Treatment
Clove essential oil has been studied as a treatment for the following types of cancer:- Colon cancer
- Lung cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Breast cancer
- Leukemia
- Cervical cancer
- Prostate cancer
Clove possesses antimetastatic properties, and is also known to be cytotoxic, meaning that it can help prevent the spread of cancer while also killing existing cancer cells in the body. It has also been found to activate enzymes that support detoxification. Eugenol specifically is known to inhibit proliferation and formation of tumors, and can also help generate apoptosis and genotoxicity in cancer cells.
Beta-carophyllene, another compound found in clove, also contributes to clove essential oil’s medicinal effects against cancer; this compound also inhibits tumor growth and proliferation, as well as reduces the activity of extracellular matrix metalloproteinases. Beta-caryophyllene has also been studied in regard to its ability to act as a chemosensitizer, or a medicine that can enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs. Interestingly, this indicates that clove essential oil may possess similar potentiating effects to DMSO, at least in certain contexts.
Alpha-humulene is a sesquiterpene found in clove essential oil that has anticancer activity. Alpha-humulene is antiproliferative, but more specifically, it can alter the mitochondrial cell membrane in colon cancer cells, thus making them easier to target with other cancer-killing medicines. This compound can also enhance the efficacy of antiproliferative cytostatic drugs.
DMSO and Clove Essential Oil for Teething Pains in Babies
In babies, DMSO should not be used WITH clove essential oil. The two can be used as a kind of “protocol” to manage teething pains, however since DMSO potentiates clove’s activity in the body, and clove is already quite powerful, it’s wise to avoid combining these two directly. Rather than using DMSO with clove essential oil, follow the basic guidelines below to use these two as part of a teething protocol:- DILUTE THE CLOVE ESSENTIAL OIL BEFORE USE! Clove is extremely powerful. Adults may be able to handle pure clove oil in the mouth to relieve dental pain, but this is not recommended for infants and small children. Dilute the clove essential oil by adding 5 drops of clove oil to 1 tablespoon of carrier oil (MCT coconut oil is ideal, but olive oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil are all edible and will work fine also). Older children may be able to tolerate up to 10 drops of clove oil per 1 tablespoon of carrier oil, but always start with the lower dose first and work your way up. Put this mixture into a clean glass dropper bottle for storage, and shake before each use. You may also add a few drops of stevia or monk fruit extract to sweeten the oil and make it more appealing.
- Apply the clove essential oil to the gums 15 minutes BEFORE applying DMSO. This is because, 1) clove essential oil can sometimes take some time to work, and 2) if the clove oil does not work, this amount of time is more than enough to prevent the clove oil from interacting with DMSO.
- Apply clove essential oil as needed up to 2 times per hour (use only a few drops of the clove oil mixture per application). DMSO can be applied 1-2 times per hour (again, use only a few drops and no more than is necessary).
- To apply the DMSO to a child’s gums, start by cleaning your own hands with some non-toxic soap and water (if you don’t have non-toxic soap, scrub your hands thoroughly with just water). Put a drop or two of DMSO on the tip of your finger, and rub the DMSO directly onto the child’s gums (ideally, concentrate on the area that’s most painful for them, but if you don’t know which area hurts, apply a drop or two to both the top and bottom gums on both sides of the mouth).
- To apply the clove essential oil mix to the gums, again, make sure your hands are clean first. For this, you can use either your finger OR you can use a baby toothbrush. In small babies, it’s generally easier to use your finger; note that a toothbrush rubbed gently along the gums, in combination with the clove essential oil mix, can be a soothing way to relieve pain.
- When applying DMSO or clove essential oil, a gentle gum massage can help the medicine to be absorbed more effectively, and can also provide pain relief. Clove oil and DMSO can both take a few minutes to really take effect, so doing a gum massage (or rubbing a toothbrush along the gums after applying the clove oil mixture) can offer relief in the meantime.
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Resources:
• Haro-Gonzalez, Jose Nabor, et. al. (2021). Clove Essential Oil (Syzygium aromaticum L. Myrtaceae): Extraction, Chemical Composition, Food Applications, and Essential Bioactivity for Human Health. Retrieved July 12, 2024 from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8588428/
• Uchewa, OO, et. al. (2023). Alleviating Effects of Clove Essential Oil Dissolved in Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) Against Cadmium-Induced Testicular and Epididymal Damages in Male Wistar Rats. Retrieved July 19, 2024 from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11139401/
• Pinto, Eugenia, et. al. (2009). Antifungal activity of the clove essential oil from Syzygium aromaticum on Candida, Aspergillus, and dermatophyte species. Retrieved July 29, 2024 from: https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.010538-0
