Can eating cloves cause a miscarriage or early contractions in pregnancy?

Can eating cloves cause a miscarriage or early contractions in pregnancy? Here’s what current evidence and expert guidance say about cloves and their safety during pregnancy.

What are cloves and why might they matter in pregnancy?

Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) are the dried flower buds of an evergreen tree. They’re used worldwide as a spice and in traditional remedies. The main active compound, eugenol, gives cloves their characteristic aroma and has mild antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

Key points about cloves:

• Culinary spice: Typically used in small amounts (¼–1 teaspoon) to flavor curries, baked goods or teas.
• Clove oil and extracts: Much more concentrated sources of eugenol and other volatile oils.
• Traditional use: In some cultures, small doses of clove tea are given for mild digestive upset, but high doses of clove oil have historically been cautioned against in pregnancy.

Because eugenol can have smooth-muscle-relaxing or — at very high concentrations — muscle-contracting effects, questions arise about whether cloves could trigger uterine contractions or raise miscarriage risk.

What does the research say?

1. Culinary use of cloves

• No clinical trials or population studies link normal dietary amounts of cloves to miscarriage or preterm labor.
• International food safety bodies classify cloves as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) when used as a spice.

2. High-dose clove oil or supplements

• Animal studies: Very large doses of eugenol in rodents can affect liver enzymes and may alter hormone levels, but these doses vastly exceed typical human consumption.
• Case reports: Rare instances of clove-oil ingestion leading to nausea or dizziness, not uterine contractions. No documented human miscarriages directly caused by cloves.

3. Comparison to other uterine-stimulating botanicals

• Unlike blue cohosh or pennyroyal, which contain compounds known to stimulate uterine muscle and have documented risks, cloves lack strong uterotonic constituents in amounts found in food.

4. Expert guidance (ACOG, WHO, national herbal commissions)

• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG): No specific warning against using cloves as a spice.
• World Health Organization (WHO) traditional medicine monographs: Notes eugenol’s properties but does not list cloves as contraindicated in pregnancy when used in usual culinary doses.

Can cloves trigger early contractions?

• In normal culinary amounts, cloves do not contain enough active oils to stimulate the uterus.
• Uterine contractions require either hormonal shifts (e.g., oxytocin) or potent pharmacologic agents. Cloves simply aren’t that powerful at spice levels.
• Ingesting large quantities of clove oil capsules or applying concentrated clove oil topically near the abdomen may carry theoretical risks, but there’s no solid human data confirming this.

Miscarriage risk and cloves

Miscarriage is influenced by many factors—chromosomal abnormalities, maternal health, infections, lifestyle factors. There’s no credible evidence that eating cloves in normal food amounts increases miscarriage risk.

What we know:

• Miscarriage rates: 10–20% of recognized pregnancies end in miscarriage, typically for reasons unrelated to diet spices.
• No epidemiological link: Large cohort studies on diet and pregnancy outcomes have not flagged cloves as a risk factor.
• Herbal caution: Medical texts advise against high-dose essential oils in pregnancy, but that concern is general to many oils (peppermint, basil, etc.), not unique to cloves.

Safe ways to enjoy cloves in pregnancy

If you love that warm, spicy flavor of cloves, you can continue to use them in cooking and baking. To stay on the safe side:

• Stick to culinary amounts: ¼–1 teaspoon per recipe or 1–2 whole buds per cup of tea.
• Avoid undiluted clove oil: Do not swallow or apply pure clove oil directly on skin or near your abdomen.
• Check supplements: If you’re taking herbal or essential-oil capsules, review labels for clove oil content and discuss with your provider.
• Monitor for allergies: Some people develop contact dermatitis or stomach upset from high-dose cloves.

Signs you should speak to a doctor

Even though cloves in normal amounts aren’t linked to miscarriage, any signs of preterm labor or complications warrant prompt medical attention:

• Persistent cramping or tightening in your lower abdomen
• New or heavy vaginal bleeding
• Unusual or foul-smelling discharge
• Severe pain, fever or chills

If you experience any of these, don’t wait. You can also try a free, online symptom check, using the doctor approved Ubie Symptom Checker for guidance on whether you need immediate care.

Bottom line

• Culinary use of cloves is safe in pregnancy and not linked to miscarriage or early contractions.
• High-dose clove oil and supplements lack solid safety data—better to avoid undiluted essential oils.
• Always report worrisome symptoms to your healthcare provider.

Remember: this information is educational, not a substitute for professional advice. If you have serious or life-threatening concerns, please speak to a doctor right away.