05/02/2026
Currently doing just this after my tooth extraction from a very infected root canal. I put a whole clove in, bit down gently & let it do it's magic. 2 days post extraction & it's healing nicely - still no panadol required - it's actually not painful at all just the feeling of a bruised gum. Mother nature in action 😀 I have a pretty gross photo of what came out - cannot believe that was in my body! I have clove bud oil (you need clove bud not clove leaf oil) but the whole cloves work well. Also a tip for those who follow a keto diet or do any fasting - whole cloves to chew freshens your breathe so no nasties from the microplastics of chewing gum - win/win😍
NATURE'S LIDOCAINE. 🦷🌿 Have you ever noticed that specific smell in a dentist's office? That is Eugenol. It comes from Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum).
It isn't just an "essential oil" for hippies; it is a medical-grade anesthetic used in temporary fillings and root canal sealers (Zinc Oxide Eugenol) for over a century.
The Mechanism: Pain travels through your nerves via electrical signals driven by Sodium. Eugenol is a Sodium Channel Blocker. Just like synthetic Lidocaine or Novocaine, Eugenol physically clogs the channels in the nerve membrane. If sodium can't enter, the nerve cannot fire. The signal is cut. The pain stops.
Antibacterial Bonus: It is also a potent antimicrobial. It kills the bacteria causing the tooth infection while it numbs the pain, acting as both the anesthesia and the antibiotic.
⚡ Vital Protocol: The Emergency Kit: If you have a toothache and can't get to a doctor:
Whole Clove: Place a whole dried clove directly on the painful tooth or gum. Bite down gently to release the oil. Leave it for 20 minutes.
Oil: If using essential oil, dilute it with olive oil (it is very strong and can burn the tissue). Apply with a cotton swab.
📚 Source: Journal of Dentistry, "The effect of eugenol on nerve transmission", Comparative study with Lidocaine.