Clove essential oil - active compounds

Chemical structure of eugenol

The most active compound in clove essential oil is Eugenol – 72% to 90%. This is the compound that is responsible for the aroma of cloves. Eugenol is used in the perfume industry, also, used for flavoring, essential oils and in particular in medicine as a local antiseptic and anesthetic.

Other active compounds found in the essential oil of cloves are: -

·      Acetyl Eugenol

·      Beta-caryophllene

·      Vanillin

·      Crategolic acid

·      Gallotannic acid

·      Methyl salicylate – a pain killer

·      Flavonoids

·      Eugenin

·      Kaempferol

·      Rhamnetin

·      Eugenitin

·      Triterpenoids – oleanolic acid

·      Stigmasterol

·      Ampesterol

·      Sesquiterpenes

Pure pharmacopoeia eugenol 

Of the dried buds of cloves – 15 – 20 percent is essential oil and the majority of it is eugenol.

It takes 1 kilogram or 2.2 pounds of dried clove buds to yield and approximately ¼ pint or 150 ml of essential oil.