Chemical composition
The main reason for the aroma of cloves is a compound called “Eugenol”. It is the main ingredient of oil derived from cloves, and about 72-90% of this oil consists of eugenol. This compound has antiseptic and analgesic properties. Other important constituents of clove oil are acetyl eugenol, beta-caryophyllene, vanillin, crataegolic acid, tannin, gallotannic acid, methyl salicylate, flavonoid, eugenin, rhamnetin, eugentin, tri-terpenoid, clinolic acid, stigmasterol, sesquiterpene.