Clove Oil - Feed Ingredient

Clove oil is an essential oil distilled primarily from the dried flower buds of the clove tree (Syzygium aromaticum). Its characteristic aroma and biological activity stem from a high concentration of the phenolic compound eugenol, along with lesser amounts of caryophyllene and eugenyl acetate. Commercially, clove oil is used as a natural flavoring agent.

In equine practice, clove oil appears most frequently in topical liniments, fly repellent blends, and the essential oil premixes found in some feeds or supplements. The oil is also used to help manage joint discomfort, hoof abscesses, respiratory irritation (“heaves”), and minor skin infections. Current research in horses is still preliminary, so practitioners typically rely on anecdotal reports and extrapolations from other species when using clove oil.