Eugenol

Drug Details

Eugenol is a colorless to pale yellow, aromatic oily liquid primarily extracted from essential oils of plants like clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, basil, and bay leaf. It is the main component of clove oil, constituting 80–90% of clove bud oil and 82–88% of clove leaf oil. Eugenol is known for its pleasant, spicy, clove-like scent. It has been widely used in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food, due to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties. In dentistry, eugenol is often combined with zinc oxide to form materials used for temporary fillings and cements. While generally recognized as safe at low concentrations, excessive intake can lead to adverse effects such as liver toxicity. Therefore, it is important to use eugenol-containing products as directed to avoid potential health risks.