Dr. Eric Berg admits he had no idea how much a humble clove could do until he started digging into the research. What he found surprised him: more than 130 patents covering everything from human health to natural fungicides for plants.
His idea is refreshingly simple. Chew one clove a day, then swallow it. No powders, no pricey supplements, just a spice that’s probably already in your pantry.
So what’s all the fuss about? Dr. Berg says it comes down to an oil called eugenol and the plant’s built-in defenses. Here’s his full reasoning, from mouth health to gut bugs, along with the safety points he raises himself.
Summarized from a video by Dr. Eric Berg, DC, on the Dr. Eric Berg DC YouTube channel. This article is a summary of the video “What Would Happen If You Chewed ONE Clove Daily.” All ideas belong to the video’s creator, and Dr. Berg did not write or review this article. Watch the original video below.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Dr. Berg suggests chewing one clove daily, then swallowing it.
- He credits eugenol, the main oil in cloves, for most of its effects.
- He highlights its antimicrobial properties, especially for the mouth and gut.
- He also mentions possible mood, inflammation, and other benefits, but he says he isn’t claiming it cures any disease.
Why Whole Spices Appeal to Him
Dr. Berg likes herbs and spices because you get the whole package from nature, not a single isolated compound like in many drugs. He points out that more than half of all drugs come from plant chemicals, which are usually isolated and then synthesized so they can be patented.
Eugenol, he explains, makes up roughly 75 to 80% of clove oil. It’s responsible for much of the clove’s smell and taste, and the clove also holds a range of other phytonutrients.
A Plant With Built-In Defenses
According to Dr. Berg, a clove’s properties are really survival tools the plant developed over time. Since microbes are a plant’s biggest threat, cloves ended up with strong antimicrobial traits. He lists them as antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-candida, and anti-parasitic.
Why Your Mouth May Love It
This is where he sees the most obvious payoff. Many people deal with candida overgrowth, plaque-forming biofilms, or gum infections, so he recommends chewing a clove or using clove oil. Cloves are also a well-known numbing remedy for toothaches, thanks to their pain-relieving properties.
He adds a joke for good measure: check with your doctor first, because he isn’t claiming it can cure anything, and if you do get cured, please don’t mention his name.
Beyond the Mouth
Dr. Berg shares a few other ideas he’s come across:
- Scalp: some people use clove oil for fungus or other pathogens on the scalp.
- Fungal toxins: he says studies suggest it may help reduce the toxins that fungi produce.
- Antibiotics: he cites a study where combining clove with an antibiotic made the antibiotic work at a much lower dose. His point is that using less antibiotic could mean fewer resistant “superbugs.”
- Gut health: he says research shows clove may inhibit H. pylori, the bacteria linked to some ulcers and gastritis, and may ease indigestion, gas, and bloating. He delivers this one with plenty of sarcasm, as if it were barely worth mentioning.
Mood, Inflammation, and More
Dr. Berg also notes that eugenol may inhibit MAO, an enzyme targeted by certain antidepressants, which could raise levels of noradrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine. He adds that cloves have anti-inflammatory effects (he mentions arthritis) and that some data points to anti-cancer properties, specifically for lung cancer.
What About Side Effects?
He’s upfront about this part. For clove oil (not the whole clove), he says to stay below 2.4 mg per kilogram of body weight. Herbs and spices are relatively safe, he explains, but you can overdo anything:
- Too much may stress the liver.
- Some people are allergic.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid it.
He closes by noting that cloves have been used for around 3,000 years, in both India and China.
Practical Tips
- If you try it, start with just one clove, as Dr. Berg suggests.
- Stop right away if you notice a rash, mouth irritation, or stomach upset.
- Skip clove oil as a supplement unless a professional guides you. It’s far more concentrated than the whole spice.
- Check with your doctor first if you take antidepressants, blood thinners, or other regular medication, or if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
- See a dentist for tooth pain that doesn’t go away.
Related reading: Dr. Berg: The Bedtime Drink Made From a Spice Once Worth Gold.
Source & Credit
- Expert: Dr. Eric Berg, DC
- Channel: Dr. Eric Berg DC
- Video: “What Would Happen If You Chewed ONE Clove Daily” (5:19)
- Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1N_QvsdLrw
- Publish date: Oct 14, 2023
About This Summary
This article summarizes the views of Dr. Eric Berg, DC, as presented in his YouTube video. The opinions and claims expressed belong to the video’s creator and do not necessarily reflect those of LuvNutrition.online.
Medical disclaimer: This content is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before changing your diet, using essential oils, or taking supplements.
