CLOVE ALLERGY
Key Allergens
Cloves are a spice in the Myrtaceae family of plants. Other foods in this family include guava, allspice and eucalyptus.
The cloves are the dried flowers of the Syzygium aromaticum trees. They are predominantly used in cooking, but are also used as a fragrance.
Oil from cloves contain eugenol, a chemical compound which can cause contact allergies - it is found in the oil of the leaves and is the component that adds flavour and fragrance.
The cloves are the dried flowers of the Syzygium aromaticum trees. They are predominantly used in cooking, but are also used as a fragrance.
Oil from cloves contain eugenol, a chemical compound which can cause contact allergies - it is found in the oil of the leaves and is the component that adds flavour and fragrance.
Food Intolerances
Cloves is a low FODMAP food. FODMAP stands for Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. Foods high in FODMAPs can cause symptoms of food intolerance, affecting the gastro intestinal system and this can be mistaken for a true IgE food allergy.
You can read more about Food Intolerances on the dedicated Food Intolerance Page.
Associated Syndromes
The eugenol in cloves is associated with allergic contact dermatitis.
Cross Reactivity
Other plants in the Myrtaceae family are guava, allspice and eucalyptus. If you react to cloves, you may also have an allergic reaction to some of these foods.
Other plants which contain eugenol include allspice, bay leaf, basil, cinnamon, turmeric, marjoram, mace, nutmeg, pepper, ginger, oregano and thyme.
These food lists are not exhaustive, the most up to date information is on the Cross Reactivity Tool.
You can read more about herbs and spices on the dedicated page.
Other plants which contain eugenol include allspice, bay leaf, basil, cinnamon, turmeric, marjoram, mace, nutmeg, pepper, ginger, oregano and thyme.
These food lists are not exhaustive, the most up to date information is on the Cross Reactivity Tool.
You can read more about herbs and spices on the dedicated page.
Resources
Websites
DermNet NZ - Contact Dermatitis to Essential Oils
Articles and Journals
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and eugenol toxicity, 2022
Biological Properties and Prospects for the Application of Eugenol — A Review, 2021
Eugenol allergy mimicking burning mouth syndrome, 2019
Contact allergy to spices, 1990
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