# Laung

Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/laung/

> Laung (Syzygium aromaticum) is a plant drug, from the Myrtaceae family.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Syzygium aromaticum
- **Family:** Myrtaceae
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** WHO Monographs (2002) list Caryophylli floris aetheroleum (clove essential oil) for traditional topical use in toothache, minor oral/skin infections, minor wound dressing, sore throats, myalgia, rheumatic complaints, and insect bites. European Medicines Agency (EMA) has issued community herbal monographs for Syzygium aromaticum preparations. Listed in European Pharmacopoeia, British Pharmacopoeia, and Indian Pharmacopoeia.

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Clove |
| Hindi | Laung |
| Latin/Botanical | *Syzygium aromaticum* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- [Eugenol](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#eugenol) (85-95% of essential oil)
- beta-Caryophyllene (13% of oil)
- Eugenyl acetate
- Gallic acid
- Ellagic acid
- alpha-Humulene
- Oleanolic acid
- [Vanillin](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#vanillin)

## How does it work?

- Eugenol inhibits COX-2 and iNOS expression, reducing prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide production for anti-inflammatory and [analgesic](/reference/analgesic/) effects
- In preclinical (cell and animal) studies, [anticancer](/reference/anticancer/) activity through multiple pathways: induction of apoptosis via mitochondrial dysfunction, cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, and inhibition of NF-kB-mediated survival signaling
- [Antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/) mechanism via disruption of bacterial cell membrane integrity, inhibition of protein synthesis, and interference with quorum sensing
- Anesthetic/analgesic effect through inhibition of voltage-gated sodium channels and TRPV1 receptor modulation in nociceptive neurons
- [Antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) activity through phenolic compound-mediated free radical scavenging and upregulation of Nrf2-dependent antioxidant [enzymes](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#enzymes)

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

*These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.*

- Toothache and dental pain: traditionally used for toothache and dental pain. Its component eugenol is used in dental practice as an analgesic and antiseptic.
- Oral infections and wound care: traditionally used for oral infections and wound care. In vitro and clinical studies have reported broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, including against multidrug-resistant bacteria.
- Flatulence, colic and nausea: traditionally used as a digestive aid for flatulence, colic and nausea. Pharmacological studies have reported [antispasmodic](/glossary/pharmacology/#antispasmodic) and carminative effects.
- Joint and muscle pain: traditionally used for joint and muscle pain. Studies have reported COX-2 inhibition and reduced inflammatory markers.
- Cough and sore throat: traditionally used for cough and sore throat. Studies have reported [expectorant](/reference/expectorant/) and antimicrobial activity.

## What do recent studies show?

- Yimsoo T, Taychaworaditsakul W, Chuntakaruk H and others 2026. [Antitumor Activity of the Ethanolic Extract from Syzygium aromaticum in Colorectal Cancer Xenograft Mice](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41599187/). *Pharmaceutics*. PMID [41599187](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41599187/) · [doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics18010079](https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18010079)  
  Demonstrated anticancer efficacy of clove extract rich in gallic acid, ellagic acid, and eugenol in colorectal cancer xenograft models, with significant tumor growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis.
- Tariq H, Alhudhaibi AM, Abdallah EM 2025. [Syzygium aromaticum (clove buds) as a natural antibacterial agent: a promising alternative to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41163998/). *Frontiers in microbiology*. PMID [41163998](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41163998/) · [doi:10.3389/fmicb.2025.1674590](https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1674590)  
  Reported broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria.
- Kiki MJ 2023. [In Vitro Antiviral Potential, Antioxidant, and Chemical Composition of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) Essential Oil](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36985392/). *Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)*. PMID [36985392](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36985392/) · [doi:10.3390/molecules28062421](https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28062421)  
  Demonstrated antiviral activity of clove essential oil against multiple viral strains, along with potent antioxidant capacity.
- Dibazar SP, Fateh S, Daneshmandi S 2014. [Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) ingredients affect lymphocyte subtypes expansion and cytokine profile responses: An in vitro evaluation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28911459/). *Journal of food and drug analysis*. PMID [28911459](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28911459/) · [doi:10.1016/j.jfda.2014.04.005](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfda.2014.04.005)  
  [Immunomodulatory](/reference/immunomodulatory/) study showed clove essential oil and water-soluble ingredients influence T-cell and B-cell proliferation and cytokine profiles, suggesting immunoregulatory potential.
- Munteanu A, Gogulescu A, Șoica C and others 2024. [In Vitro and In Silico Evaluation of Syzygium aromaticum Essential Oil: Effects on Mitochondrial Function and Cytotoxic Potential Against Cancer Cells](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39683236/). *Plants (Basel, Switzerland)*. PMID [39683236](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39683236/) · [doi:10.3390/plants13233443](https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13233443)  
  Demonstrated cytotoxic effects against colon (HCT-116), breast (MCF-7), and liver (HepG2) cancer cell lines through mitochondrial dysfunction-mediated apoptosis.

## Recent safety updates

- WHO classifies eugenol as a GRAS (generally recognized as safe) substance with acceptable daily intake (ADI) of maximum 2.5 mg/kg body weight
- High-dose eugenol can cause hepatotoxicity through quinone methide intermediate formation by peroxidases; cytotoxicity also linked to membrane disruption due to high lipophilicity and uncoupling of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation
- Topical clove oil may cause contact dermatitis and mucosal irritation; oral high doses (40 mg/kg eugenol) can impair kidney function; avoid concurrent use with anticoagulant medications due to antiplatelet activity

## What is it made of?

### Key Active Markers

- Eugenol
- Vanillin
- Eugenyl acetate
- Gallic acid
- Ellagic acid
- alpha-Humulene
- Oleanolic acid

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Essential oil, Tablets, Capsules, Toothache drops, Mouthwash, Lozenges, Taila (medicated oil), Topical gel

**Standard Dosage:** 1-3 g clove powder per day; 1-5 drops essential oil (diluted) for topical dental use; 250-500 mg extract capsules twice daily

**Optimal Timing:** After meals for digestive support; as needed for dental pain relief; morning and evening for oral hygiene products

**Storage:** Store whole cloves in airtight containers at room temperature. Essential oil in amber glass, tightly sealed, below 25 deg C. Ground powder rapidly loses potency - store in nitrogen-flushed, foil-lined sachets. Protect all forms from light and moisture.

**Marker Compounds:** Eugenol, Eugenol acetate, Beta-caryophyllene, Alpha-humulene, Gallic acid, [Kaempferol](/reference/kaempferol/), Oleanolic acid, Vanillin

### Synergistic Combinations

- Ela/Cardamom (digestive and carminative synergy)
- [Dalchini](/herb/twak-cinnamon/)/Cinnamon (warming digestive combination)
- [Haridra](/herb/haridra/) (oral health combination)
- [Pippali](/herb/pippali/) (bioenhancer, respiratory synergy)
- [Tulsi](/herb/tulsi/) (antimicrobial oral care)

## Reference lists that include it

[Ellagic acid](https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/reference/ellagic-acid/), [Gallic acid](https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/reference/gallic-acid/), [Kaempferol](https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/reference/kaempferol/), [Oleanolic acid](https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/reference/oleanolic-acid/)

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/laung/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.