This is a common piece of folk wisdom and natural health advice. While it might sound like a strong thing to do, chewing on two cloves (laung) before bed is a practice rooted in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda. Proponents claim it can work wonders for your health overnight.
Here is a breakdown of what happens when you eat cloves before bed, based on both traditional beliefs and modern scientific understanding.
The Immediate Effects: What You’ll Notice
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A Warm, Numbing Sensation: Cloves contain a compound called eugenol, which is a natural anesthetic. You’ll feel a distinct warmth and slight numbness in your mouth and throat. This is why cloves have been used for centuries for toothaches.
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Strong Taste and Dry Mouth: The essential oils are potent. You’ll likely experience a strong, pungent taste and your mouth may feel dry as the oils coat your tongue and throat.
The Purported Health Benefits (The “Why”)
1. Promotes Digestion and Relieves Gas
In many cultures, cloves are a classic digestive aid.
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What it does: Cloves stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes. The eugenol can help reduce gas, bloating, and indigestion that might have built up during the day.
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The theory: Eating them before bed gives your digestive system a “head start” on processing the evening meal while you sleep, potentially preventing morning bloating.
2. Acts as a Natural Pain Reliever
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What it does: Eugenol is a powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain reliever). It’s chemically similar to ibuprofen, though milder.
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The theory: If you have minor aches, joint pain, or a sore throat, the systemic absorption of eugenol from the cloves may help reduce inflammation and dull the pain while you rest.
3. Supports Liver Function
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What it does: Studies have shown that eugenol can help improve liver function and reduce oxidative stress.
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The theory: The liver does much of its detoxification work at night. Proponents believe that consuming cloves provides the liver with antioxidant support to perform its nightly cleaning duties more effectively.
4. Antibacterial and Oral Health
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What it does: Cloves have strong antimicrobial properties that can fight harmful bacteria in the mouth.
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The theory: Chewing cloves is like a natural mouthwash. It can help kill the bacteria that cause bad breath and plaque buildup while you sleep. (This is one of the more immediately effective benefits).
5. May Help Regulate Blood Sugar
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What it does: Some research suggests that compounds in cloves can help improve insulin function and lower blood sugar.
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The theory: For those concerned with blood sugar management, consuming cloves before an overnight fast (sleep) might help maintain more stable levels until morning.
6. Improves Respiratory Function
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What it does: Cloves are expectorants and can help clear congestion.
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The theory: The warmth of the cloves can help loosen phlegm and open up the airways, potentially making it easier to breathe while sleeping, especially if you have a mild cold.
The Potential Downsides (Be Aware)
Eating cloves is generally safe for most people, but there are important cautions:
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Blood Thinning: Eugenol can slow blood clotting. If you are on blood-thinning medication (like Warfarin) or have a bleeding disorder, avoid eating cloves regularly without consulting your doctor.
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Liver Concerns: While small amounts help the liver, very high doses of eugenol can be toxic to the liver. Stick to 1-2 cloves.
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Mouth Irritation: For some people with sensitive gums, the strong anesthetic effect can be irritating.
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Hypoglycemia Risk: If you are already on medication for diabetes, the blood-sugar-lowering effect of cloves could potentially make your levels drop too low.
The Verdict
Eating 2 cloves before bed is a low-risk, high-reward home remedy for many people. It acts as a gentle, overnight internal cleanse, supporting digestion, fighting bacteria, and reducing inflammation.
How to do it properly:
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Simply pop two whole, dried cloves in your mouth.
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Chew them thoroughly until they become a paste. This releases the oils.
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Swallow them with a small sip of warm water.
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Don’t drink a large amount of water, as you want the oils to coat your throat and stomach lining.
The best advice: Listen to your body. If you feel a warming, soothing sensation and wake up feeling lighter and less bloated, it might be a great habit for you. If you experience heartburn or irritation, it may not be suitable for your constitution.