Garlic and cloves are interesting spices with biologically active compounds, but claims that combining them creates a powerful cure-all are much stronger than the evidence supports.
What the science actually suggests
Garlic contains sulfur compounds such as allicin. Garlic supplements may produce small reductions in blood pressure and cholesterol in some people, but evidence for immune-boosting or infection-fighting effects in humans is limited.
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Cloves are particularly rich in eugenol, a compound with antioxidant and antimicrobial activity demonstrated in laboratory research. However, there isn’t convincing clinical evidence that eating cloves or drinking a garlic-and-clove mixture treats infections or other diseases.
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A reasonable way to use them
Using garlic and cloves as culinary ingredients can be part of a healthy diet. You can add crushed garlic and a small amount of ground clove to soups, stews, marinades, or teas for flavor.
But don’t substitute a garlic-and-clove remedy for prescribed treatment of a UTI, flu, herpes, parasite infection, or other medical condition.
A little caution
Concentrated garlic supplements can increase bleeding risk, particularly with anticoagulants or aspirin. And concentrated clove/eugenol oil is substantially different from using cloves as a food; high doses of eugenol can be toxic.
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Bottom line: Garlic + cloves can be a flavorful, nutritious combination, but calling it a “potent natural remedy” for numerous diseases isn’t supported by good human evidence.
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