Did you know that many essential oil constituents are also found in fruits, vegetables and other foods? This simple fact shows us that our bodies are used to processing them in very small amounts.

Our fourth constituent in this series is eugenol, a major constituent in essential oils of Clove bud, Cinnamon leaf and Holy Basil. It is also found in tiny amounts in coffee, peaches, plums, raspberries, bananas and red wine!

Eugenol possesses notable analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Much of the research derives from dentistry, where it is widely used. However, it can be a skin irritant or allergen if not used in proper dilutions. The recommended topical maximums according to Essential Oil Safety 2e are Clove bud 0.5%, Cinnamon leaf 0.6% and Holy Basil 1%.