The viral clove tea claim everyone is talking about: Can it boost immunity and fight infections?

CLAIM:

Drinking clove tea every day for two weeks may help fight infections, reduce inflammation, and support the body's natural defenses. The post suggests that compounds found in cloves, particularly eugenol, can help manage oxidative stress, promote overall wellness, and contribute to better health when consumed regularly. 

FACT:

Cloves contain bioactive compounds such as eugenol that have demonstrated antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory and animal studies. However, there is currently no strong clinical evidence showing that drinking clove tea for two weeks can fight infections, significantly reduce inflammation, or boost immunity in humans. Experts say clove tea may be a healthy addition to a balanced diet, but its benefits are likely supportive rather than therapeutic. 

In a recent Instagram post by ‘NutriZenage’, a page that has 1.78 lakh followers on Instagram, claims about clove tea helping fight infections and reduce inflammation have started gaining attention online.

The post mentions that, “If you drink clove tea every day for 2 weeks, you’ll fight infections and reduce inflammation.” 

The caption of the post states that regular consumption of clove tea may offer several health benefits due to the presence of naturally occurring compounds found in cloves. According to the caption, “Cloves contain natural compounds such as eugenol, which have been studied for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.” 

The post further claims that drinking clove tea “may help support the body’s natural defenses, contribute to overall wellness, and help the body manage everyday oxidative stress.” It also suggests that incorporating such habits into a daily routine can be beneficial over time, adding that “Small habits can have a surprisingly big impact over time.” 

Can drinking clove tea fight infections and reduce inflammation?

Some research suggests that cloves contain bioactive compounds that may have antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulating properties. However, much of the available evidence comes from laboratory, animal, and review studies rather than clinical trials examining the effects of drinking clove tea in humans. 

A 2014 study investigating the effects of clove extracts on mouse immune cells found that compounds present in cloves influenced immune responses by suppressing certain T-cell activities while enhancing B-cell expansion and antibody-related responses. Researchers observed that clove extracts altered the production of several immune-signalling molecules, reducing pro-inflammatory mediators while increasing anti-inflammatory cytokines. 

The authors concluded that “clove could suppress T cells and their functions and enhance B cell expansion, function, and humoral responses,” adding that the cytokine pattern induced by clove compounds was geared toward “modulation of inflammation, and acceleration of humoral immunity.” However, the findings were based on laboratory experiments involving mouse cells rather than human participants. 

Further evidence comes from a 2017 review that examined the antimicrobial properties of eugenol, the primary bioactive compound found in clove oil. The review noted that a substantial body of research supports eugenol's antibacterial and antifungal activity against a broad range of microorganisms. 

According to the researchers, “Eugenol represents a very interesting bioactive compound with broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against both planktonic and sessile cells belonging to food-decaying microorganisms and human pathogens.” However, the review largely summarised laboratory and experimental studies and did not establish that drinking clove tea can prevent or treat infections in humans. 

Research has also explored eugenol's potential role in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. A 2018 review highlighted that eugenol possesses several pharmacological properties and may help regulate inflammatory responses through multiple biological pathways. The authors noted that many plant-derived bioactive compounds “may contribute in a preventive way to improve the quality of life” by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. 

The review further stated that eugenol has demonstrated “anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties,” and discussed its therapeutic potential in inflammatory diseases. However, much of the evidence reviewed came from experimental models rather than clinical studies involving regular clove tea consumption. 

Interest in cloves grew further during the COVID-19 pandemic. A 2021 review examined the potential role of cloves and their phytochemical constituents in combating viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2. Researchers noted that cloves have long been used in traditional medicine for respiratory ailments and that laboratory studies have demonstrated antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and immunostimulatory properties. 

The authors wrote that “cloves, a precious spice largely used in countries where the impact of the novel coronavirus is lower than in the Western world, are endowed with medicinal properties considered relevant in the prevention and therapy of COVID-19.” At the same time, they emphasised that future clinical studies are needed to determine whether these effects translate into meaningful benefits for COVID-19 patients or other human infections. 

More recently, a 2024 review revisited the growing body of evidence surrounding eugenol and concluded that the compound continues to show promise as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. Researchers reported that eugenol may help regulate inflammatory pathways and reduce oxidative stress, making it a potentially useful therapeutic candidate for inflammation-related conditions. 

According to the review, “The data show that eugenol exerts beneficial effects on ameliorating oxidative stress and its main actions are related to anti-inflammatory properties.” However, the authors also noted that many of the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood and called for further toxicological and clinical studies to establish their effectiveness in humans. 

Expert insights 

Dr Dinesh Ramaswamy, Senior Consultant, Surgical Gastroenterology, SIMS Hospital, Chennai, said that while cloves do contain beneficial bioactive compounds such as eugenol, the health claims circulating on social media are often exaggerated. 

According to him, laboratory research has shown that cloves possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. However, he pointed out that most of these studies have been conducted using concentrated clove extracts or clove oil in laboratory settings and animal models, rather than ordinary clove tea consumed by humans. 

“Currently, there is no strong clinical evidence proving that drinking clove tea alone can prevent infections or significantly improve immunity in humans,” he said. 

Dr Ramaswamy explained that the amount of eugenol and other active compounds obtained from a typical cup of clove tea is relatively modest. As a result, there is insufficient evidence to support claims that drinking clove tea for two weeks can produce substantial improvements in immunity or protect against infections. 

While moderate consumption of clove tea is generally considered safe for healthy adults, he noted that its benefits should be viewed in the context of an overall healthy lifestyle rather than as a standalone remedy. 

“Clove tea may contribute in a small way to overall wellness, but it should not be viewed as a miracle remedy,” he said. 

He also cautioned against excessive intake of cloves or clove oil, particularly among individuals taking blood-thinning medications and pregnant women. According to him, such individuals should consult a healthcare professional before consuming large quantities on a regular basis. 

Highlighting the broader determinants of health, Dr Ramaswamy said that no single food or beverage can replace a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. 

“From a medical perspective, the factors that have the greatest impact on immunity and long-term health are adequate sleep, stress management, regular exercise, balanced nutrition, proper control of conditions such as diabetes and dyslipidaemia, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption,” he said. 

He added that while herbal beverages such as clove tea can be enjoyed as part of a healthy diet, long-term health outcomes are far more strongly influenced by evidence-based lifestyle habits than by any single drink or supplement. 

Adding to this, Ms Veena V, Chief Clinical Dietitian & HOD, Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Aster Whitefield Hospital, said that “most studies reporting strong benefits have used concentrated clove extracts or essential oils at doses much higher than what a person would typically get from a cup of clove tea.” 

According to Ms Veena, while clove tea may contribute beneficial phytochemicals and can be part of a healthy diet, there is currently no strong clinical evidence showing that it can prevent infections or significantly reduce inflammation on its own.

“Clove tea can be a healthy addition to a balanced lifestyle, but it should not be viewed as a cure or a substitute for evidence-based health practices,” she said. 

She also added that long-term immune health depends far more on factors such as a nutritious diet, adequate sleep, regular physical activity, stress management, and overall lifestyle habits than on any single food or beverage. 

This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS