The Power of Cloves: Natural Oral Care, Eye Health, and Dismantling Viral Health Myths
Prep time: 5 minutes | Simmer time: 10 minutes | Purpose: Oral Rinse & Soothing Tea
How to Prepare a Safe Homemade Clove Infusion
A soothing clove tea or a concentrated oral rinse is an excellent addition to your daily hygiene routine. This method safely extracts the volatile oils without burning them.
Ingredient Checklist
- 1 tbsp Whole dried cloves
- 2 cups Filtered water
- 1 small Cinnamon stick (optional, for flavor and extra antimicrobial properties)
- 1 tsp Raw honey (optional, to sweeten)
Step-by-Step Preparation Guide
1. Crush the Cloves
Using a mortar and pestle or the flat side of a chef’s knife, gently crush your whole cloves. You do not want to grind them into a powder; simply crack the outer shell to expose the internal oils to the water.
2. The Low Simmer
Bring 2 cups of filtered water to a rolling boil in a small stainless steel saucepan. Add the cracked cloves and the optional cinnamon stick, then instantly drop the stove setting to low heat. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid to prevent the therapeutic volatile oils from escaping into the air via steam. Let it simmer gently for 10 to 12 minutes.
3. Steep and Cool
Turn off the heat entirely and let the pot sit, covered, for another 5 minutes to complete the steeping process. The water will transform into a rich, beautiful amber color. Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh metal sieve into a glass mug or container, discarding the spent clove pieces.
