Do you wake up in the morning and put both contacts in one eye, find your dustpan in your fridge and your milk on the floor next to the broom?* Have you ever fallen asleep with the car running in the driveway, or pulled into a Starbucks drive-thru and tried to order from the trash can? Well then, you just might have a teething baby on your hands!
Fortunately, there’s an easy, inexpensive and completely natural alternative that really works! It’s homemade teething oil and I’ll show you how to make it below.
Clove oil is a natural analgesic (numbing agent) with a long history of safe use in dentistry. In fact a 2006 study conducted by dentists found it was just as effective as store bought gels. This popular remedy for teething contains clove oil, which is an indication of just how effective many parents have found it to be.*
Because of it’s potency, clove oil must be diluted before application. Below is the recipe I use, which was adapted from a product I recommended in this post on natural remedies for teething.
Homemade Teething Oil
UPDATE: Though there is historical precedent for using clove for teething and there is a company that sells it commercially, newer guidelines provided by Essential Oil Safety do not recommend using clove as an analgesic with babies. Instead I recommend investing in a raw 100% baltic amber teething necklace. This recipe can be helpful for toothaches, though.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, or for a milder flavor 1 tablespoon olive and 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 2-3 drops clove bud essential oil (where to find organic clove bud essential oil)
To Make
Combine ingredients and test a little on yourself to make sure it’s not too strong. Once you’re comfortable with the ratio’s pour your mixture into a clean container. Light oxidizes oil, so a dark amber or cobalt is best if you plan to leave it on the counter. Another option is a clear glass container that is kept in a cool, dark cabinet.
To Use
Shake well, then apply sparingly to gums with your finger tip. Reapply every 1-2 hours as needed. Test the mixture on yourself before applying to make sure it is not too strong.
Warning: According to aromatherapists, clove oil absolutely must be diluted before application in order to be used safely. As with any remedy, please observe your baby for any potential reactions. There are people in the world that are allergic to water, so just because something is natural does not mean it is beneficial for every individual.
Need More Teething Help?
Click here for the scoop on 5 more things you can do to make teething easier, and here’s one on why Hyland’s teething tablets don’t work for everyone (plus what to use instead).
* This post was inspired by this one on sleep deprivation. Click over if you need a good laugh!
Sources:
Discovery: Alternative Medicine Aromatics International: Clove Bud Oil
Monica
November 19, 2012 at 10:16 AMGreat timing! My baby has one tooth up and I’m pretty sure she’s working on two more. No fever but she has had a runny nose.
Neveen
November 19, 2012 at 10:21 AMCan it be given to a 5-month-old?
Karen Peters
April 2, 2017 at 12:33 PMNo Clove oil should not be used on children younger than 2. It is not a good idea to use essential oils on a baby. Instead make your own cloves oil with ground clove aND fractionated coconut oil or olive oil.
Crystal - Prenatal Coach
November 19, 2012 at 10:44 AMThanks! I’ll definitely make some of this to have on hand for when/if teething gets bad! Madison is 5 months old now 🙂
Jesse May
November 19, 2012 at 1:57 PMThanks for this timely recipe, Heather! I have been absolutely devouring all the information in your posts, and am so thankful I found your website (through Pinterest)! I so appreciate the thorough research you put into each subject. Please keep up the amazing work!
Marianne
November 19, 2012 at 2:23 PMThank you! Ingredients ordered.
Karen
November 19, 2012 at 3:20 PMI’ve heard that chamomile essential oil is good as well for teething drops. I did not know that clove essential oil was safe for babies.
Bailey
November 19, 2012 at 3:36 PMJust wanted to say that I use this too, and it works great! Yea for getting some sleep! 🙂 From what I understand it is perfectly safe, as long as you choose a high quality, pharma grade oil (preferably organic) and dilute the heck out of it. Chamomile is good too. I have also used yarrow. My twins were pre-term, and then they were early teethers, so I stuck with the super-safe-for-newborns oils for them for a while.
Karen Peters
April 2, 2017 at 12:34 PMResearch essential oils as clove oil should not be used on children younger than 2. You should also never use essential oils orally on a child, regardless of brands.
Pru
November 19, 2012 at 4:08 PMHi. I love the sound of this recipe. My son is not teething yet but I want to be ready. I was just wondering if it is clove leaf or clove seed oil? My health food store has both. Thanks
Lee
September 9, 2013 at 1:22 PMClove *bud oil
sabj718
October 5, 2013 at 9:33 AMMany oils at the grocery are not good for oral consumption. I would recommend you find a Doterra consultant or I believe you can order it on Amazon. Doterra is THE essential oil blend and tells you if you can only apply them topically or orally.
Leah G
November 19, 2012 at 7:03 PMHeather do you happen to know if our amber teething necklaces need replacing every six months I feel like I read that somewhere and I’ve noticed my lil one a bit crankier lately.
Heather
November 19, 2012 at 9:51 PMI have heard that, too. I’m not sure if 6 months is the magic number but they do lose effectiveness over time.
Malene
August 24, 2017 at 8:29 PMThis is not true. Just make sure you clean them daily, never wear them in the shower or while swimming, if it gets wet, hang to dry in the sun. The only reason why they say they stop working is that they want to make money. However, The amber necklace has to be under the shirt, so it’s between the skin and fabric (cotton or wool) this is how they work.
NicoleW
November 19, 2012 at 9:24 PMCan you use all coconut oil? I don’t currently have a high quality olive oil in my house but I do have a teething 7 month old.
Heather
November 19, 2012 at 9:51 PMYes, you can! The mixture may become solid if your house is below 76F but as long as you can get it out of the jar that’s no problem. 🙂
Emily
November 20, 2012 at 4:57 AMHi Heather. I have heard that clove oil should not be given to children under age 2. Do you know anymore about this?
Heather
November 20, 2012 at 9:50 AMHi Emily! I am not an expert, but all I can say is that it has been used without a problem by many moms including myself. As with everything from bananas to milk, there is always a risk of a negative reaction. I watch my babies carefully after introducing any new substance to make sure there is not a reaction. Hope that helps!
Roberta McGann
February 22, 2017 at 9:07 PMIt can’t be as bad as giving them Tylenol, Advil or whatever other pain releieving drugs are there. I would use when needed and very diluted to begin with and watch how the baby reacts as you said.
Lili
May 15, 2014 at 8:47 PMMy naturopathic doctor actually recommended clove oil to me, that’s how I found this recipe! She recommended it over echinacea.
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen
November 20, 2012 at 9:00 AMWhat a great idea! We’ve just been dealing with it because I didn’t know of a healthy alternative!
Melissa
November 20, 2012 at 11:04 PMThanks for the recipe! Do you have a certain brand of clove oil that you like? Amazon had lots of options! 🙂
Christi
November 24, 2012 at 9:36 PMJust so you know, your link to the study by dentists links to a 2007 paper comparing benzocaine with lidocaine. Perhaps this was the study you meant? http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16530911
There is also a 2012 study about clove oil improving pain (and cognition!) in mice.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22453493
Heather
November 25, 2012 at 10:41 AMOops! Thanks for letting me know, Christi! This is the study I meant to link to: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16530911 Very interesting about cognition!
Julie
February 12, 2013 at 8:18 AMClove oil reminds me of my childhood. My mother used to keep a bottle in the medicine cabinet for teething and toothaches.
Julie H
February 12, 2013 at 8:26 AMClove Oil reminds me of my childhood. My mother always kept a bottle in the medicine cabinet for teething and toothaches.
Dara
March 5, 2013 at 8:06 AMI pinned this article as part of your Canon Rebel giveaway. Such a simple recipe, and so helpful! Thank you!
Rebecca
March 5, 2013 at 12:24 PMI pinned this article (along with many others) because I love it! And because I want to win a Canon Rebel..haha 😉
Lobe
March 6, 2013 at 1:55 PMDo you know if I can make this with the actual cloves rather than the essential oil? I am very cautios when it comes to essential oils as even when I’ve used them diluted they’ve caused me sensitivity to Lavender, Chamomile and Orange (I love these three and now I can’t have anything with these in it, including tea or the fruit itself).
Heather
March 6, 2013 at 2:12 PMHi Lobe! Here’s a comment from a site on old natural remedies you may find interesting:
“My little girl does NOT take kindly to pain killers and orajel doesn’t work for very long. My granny told me to mix cloves (ground works the best and you find it in the spice section of any grocery store) and butter, sweet cream unsalted lasts the longest in the fridge. Mix together and place into the fridge. The more clove you use the longer it will work. Just rub on baby’s gums whenever needed. Works amazingly fast. Good Luck.”
Sarah
March 6, 2013 at 9:46 PMVery serendipitous, seeing as how imclaying here nursing a 12 month old back to sleep for the second time…after only having gone to bed three hours ago :/
I have a super tether on my hands-at 12 months she has four top, four bottom, one molar and is cutting THREE more molars. Needless to say, she’s a little cranky!
Jen
March 7, 2013 at 7:51 PMthanks…baby is teething again…anxious to try this out.
thanks!
Lorna
March 12, 2013 at 8:25 AMTHanks for this, I’ve used clove oil myself in the past but hadn’t thought to use it on my teething toddler. She’s had a lot of pain with all of her teeth, and we’re at our wits’ end. She’s slept right through the night only four times – and she’s two on Sunday! Two years of no sleep, I can’t wait until all of her teeth are through; only four to go. We sleep in separate beds every night now, one with the baby monitor and one without, because it’s the only way we can get any sleep at all!
Monica
March 17, 2013 at 6:24 PMI would love to make this for my son who is having a hard time teething, especially at night. Can you recommend a good brand of essential oils to use please?
Heather
March 17, 2013 at 6:47 PMI use single organic oils from Plant Therapy 🙂
Stephanie
April 23, 2013 at 11:43 PMI like that you made your own and did not purchase the one with willow bark because Aspirin should be avoided in children due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome. It is used in children in some cases but the risk of Reye’s increases if the patient has recently had chicken pox or flu symptoms and so it is safer to say that it should be avoided altogether in children unless instructed by your doctor.
Bethany
May 21, 2013 at 4:41 PMIs clove bud essential oil the same as Clove oil?
Heather
May 21, 2013 at 7:39 PMFrom what I undersand, yes 🙂
Dr G
May 27, 2013 at 10:48 PMGround cloves work great just in olive oil. Combine and let sit. Test on yourself. Apply with your finger. Problem with EOs is risk of child getting a hold of the bottles. Keep them locked up! Another great herb for teething is echinacea root glycerite. Safe, immune support, and nicely numbs the oral mucosa. Love out for sore throats. Spilanthes or water cress has similar properties. Note if your echinacea product doesn’t numb your mouth a bit, its no good. Avoid cheap herbs.
Jackie
June 6, 2013 at 9:55 AMJust to warn you, cloves are a potential allergy. I have 7 people in my family who are allergic to it, and three of them just found out they were a few months ago when my cousin’s fiance brought hand made clove-laced food of some sort to Thanksgiving. We had 3 people in an ambulance with tongues so swollen they were foaming at the mouth. So please, put a warning that Cloves are potentially very allergenic.
Jackie
June 10, 2013 at 4:46 PMThanks for this recipe! I’m curious, where do you find small colored jars to put the mixture in?
Heather
June 10, 2013 at 7:45 PMI had this one in my cabinet – not sure where I got it!
Becca
August 17, 2013 at 1:21 PMHow do you know what’s a good O.O. To use? Thanks!
Jenny
September 6, 2013 at 7:37 AMhttp://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-251-CLOVE.aspx?activeIngredientId=251&activeIngredientName=CLOVE.
It doesn’t sound to safe for babies!!!
Karie
September 9, 2013 at 8:06 PMClove oil or Thieves oil from YoungLiving is pure therapuetic essential oil and is safe for teething babies. diluted, of course.
Cara
July 30, 2017 at 10:27 PMJust because some is a “pure therapeutic” essential oil does not ncessary make it safe for babies.
Jaci
September 19, 2013 at 6:32 AMDo you think this would be safe for my 2.5 month old? We think he is starting to teeth already, it hasn’t been bad yet, just want to be prepared… And the pulsatilla? Thanks so much for all the info!!
Heather
September 19, 2013 at 3:22 PMHi Jaci, I wouldn’t recommend it for a baby that young. However, you might consider checking out this post: https://mommypotamus.com/how-to-diagnose-tongue-and-lip-ties/
Sometimes babies who have “teething” symptoms around that age actually have tongue/lip ties – a condition which has symptoms very similar to teething.
Jaci
September 21, 2013 at 10:51 AMInteresting, I will definitely look into this, thank you!
Jaci
September 27, 2013 at 5:34 PMHeather, just wanted to say thanks for all the info! We got the procedure done for the tongue tie and upper lip tie. I’m really hoping it helps with our BFing problems so we will see. Although he still may be teething hopefully that fixes other and future problems. 🙂
Malene
August 24, 2017 at 8:44 PMMy boy started teething at that age too, and had his first tooth at 4.5 months, they can start earlier too. Some babies are even born with teeth. When it comes to small humans, not one shoe fits all.
Aisha
September 24, 2013 at 3:04 PMNot up to the teethibg stage yet, but hive it a few more months…
What is the active ingredient in teething gels and stuff? Why is it potentially fatal? And what reaction will it create in a baby?
Megan
October 31, 2013 at 9:25 AMI just made some! I tried it on myself and my baby this morning. As a first time paranoid mother I did read about the “possible” side effect so I made my first batch pretty mild and used a bit more oil. Anyway I was wondering about the amount that should be used in 24 hours? I was thinking to be on the safe side I wouldn’t apply it more than twice a day but wanted to know if anyone has researched this? As with any homeopathic remedy it can have great benefits but also needs to be used properly. All of his top teeth decided to have a party together and have been coming down at once. They have broken through the skin now but he still has days where they bother him more than others. On those bad days I just want to know how often I should apply it. I also found it hard to find the right oil that didn’t say for external use only. I ended up buying BodyChoice organic oil from Amazon (bestmassage.com), because the description specially talked about it’s use for oral pain. I hope I got the right stuff!
J.M
December 22, 2013 at 8:04 PMI LOVE coconut oil and use it daily for personal care, baking, for my son.
Jon Ramos
December 23, 2013 at 8:14 PMRenae Ramos
Kayla Herman
December 23, 2013 at 8:15 PMYou could also just steep the cloves in the oil or make a tincture with the cloves as well.
Molly Cosens
December 23, 2013 at 8:17 PMMommypotamus, have you used this??
Michelle Canuso
December 23, 2013 at 8:18 PMCheri Ruiz Casarez maybe worth trying!
Melissa Hamil
December 23, 2013 at 8:19 PMNatasha Cantrell
Erica Miriam Buchman
December 23, 2013 at 8:20 PMSara Itskovich
Amy Jeanne Hardesty
December 23, 2013 at 8:21 PMI use this all the time, except mine has a couple drops of sweet orange oil, too. I’ve even used it on myself. It does work 🙂
Michelle Primm Blackburn
December 23, 2013 at 8:27 PMLana Harvard VanderMerwe
April Taylor Carroll
December 23, 2013 at 8:30 PMWish I had known about you when my son was teething. Poor guy was miserable getting 4 molars at once.
Heather DeHainaut Anderson
December 23, 2013 at 8:35 PMSomething to tell your patients! Mary Linda DeHainaut
Kathryn Turner
December 23, 2013 at 8:43 PMYes it does work! I mix mine with filtered water and coconut oil.
Rachel Naro Wiernusz
December 23, 2013 at 8:43 PMI like the sweet oil addition! I mix mine with coconut oil and rub on the base of the binkie…the delivery is much easier that way!
Melanie Walker Mathews
December 23, 2013 at 8:49 PMRiley Clinkenbeard
Krystine Marie
December 23, 2013 at 8:49 PMLisa T Zar
Mommypotamus
December 23, 2013 at 8:50 PMMolly Cosens – Yes, I do.
Heather Hill-Cantrall
December 23, 2013 at 9:00 PMRebecca Chase
Danielle Mein
December 23, 2013 at 9:25 PMNeelka Smith
Elizabeth Alley Longtin
December 23, 2013 at 9:30 PMfunny to see this now. i went to my local grocer & asked about using clove oil exactly this way. i was told by 2 pple that they had never heard of using it internally & advised against it. my lo has his front (top&bottom) 8 teeth, but he still has many teething symptoms. i wld say its his biggest complaint by far. anywho, i left the store discouraged & didnt buy any. i guess ill go back!
Monica Serratos
December 23, 2013 at 9:34 PMGrace Gilmore
Frances Cullinan Brotherton
December 23, 2013 at 9:44 PMChrissanna
Amanda Wayne
December 23, 2013 at 10:01 PMI make something like this with clove and Chamomile. Normally my little man loves it. He got into my clove EO tonight though and started dancing through the house sprinkling it everywhere. I got my revenge though when he put his hands in his mouth and realized it wasn’t so much fun after all!
Emma Chaves
December 23, 2013 at 10:02 PMPerfect timing! Thank you!
Michelle May
December 23, 2013 at 10:02 PMThe only thing we have found that works well! My 16 month old is cutting his molars we dab a little on a qtip and apply to gums. (Not a fan of putting my fingers in his mouth anymore with all his teeth.) It works well for canker sores too.
Ashley Thompson
December 23, 2013 at 10:41 PMAnna Reuter
Maggie Goodman Russell
December 23, 2013 at 10:58 PMI actually put about 20 drops IN my tube of toothpaste
Sara Fry
December 23, 2013 at 11:01 PMSusan MacDonald
Karen Brett
December 23, 2013 at 11:04 PMCandace N’Sean Sonderleiter
Melissa Gustafson
December 23, 2013 at 11:40 PMI have organic clove bud e.o. and it says “caution – not for internal use”. Are there different kinds?
Cara
July 30, 2017 at 10:31 PMno, they are labeled this way because none of the essential oils have been tested for internal use or digestion.
Ariane Liberty
December 23, 2013 at 11:53 PMThey advised me not to use this, not even 2 drops for my baby. There are already natural and organic teething aids that are made safely for babies. I used Camilia.
Gabby Bjorgo
December 24, 2013 at 12:05 AMTaylor Cosper keep this in your safari favorites or bookmarks or whatever works pwease?(:
Yolanda Marshall
December 24, 2013 at 12:29 AMI wouldn’t use this on a baby for a number of reasons – I think homeopathic teething powders work fine. I used clove oil on my teeth for years as a teenager when my teeth were sore from having chipped a tooth. But too much clove oil can give you head aches which is counterproductive.
Angela Moisant
December 24, 2013 at 1:29 AMThank you!! My 16 mo old is cutting some molars and needs a little more than just his amber necklace that got him through his first 8 teeth without us even knowing he was teething (all came in at once). Will wearing 2 necklaces increase the effects of the Baltic amber?
Tara Pope
December 24, 2013 at 8:56 AMis there a link to the 2006 study?
Mommypotamus
December 24, 2013 at 9:30 AMTara Pope – I linked to it in the post.
Mommypotamus
December 24, 2013 at 9:31 AMAngela Moisant – Yes, two necklaces would release more succinic acid than one
Rachael Ijames Grossman
December 24, 2013 at 9:33 AMYou have to really be careful what essential oils you ingest. They are so powerful. I’m not sure I would ever give a baby EO internally. I will put certain ones on the bottoms of their feet or chest.
Jennifer Shipway
December 24, 2013 at 8:58 PMI have made this but tried it on myself first and couldn’t feel any numbing effects. Is there any difference between infants and adults??
Alaska-beauty
February 27, 2014 at 11:57 AMYes. It’s not safe for kids under 2 years old.
Lilelfen1
February 7, 2014 at 4:58 PMReady for insanity? My 1 month old is teething! In fact, he has been teething since birth. I know….
O_o this oil is the only thing other than chewing on my finger that has helped even a smidge. Thank you, Mommypotomus. 😀
Shiony
February 27, 2014 at 11:43 AMCan adult use this too?
Heather
February 27, 2014 at 1:44 PMHi Shiony, there are studies which say it is more effective than other analgesics for adult use. I cannot advise anyone regarding what they should do in their specific situation because I am not a doctor. This site shares folk remedies and research that may support their use, but the information is purely educational and cannot diagnose, treat or cure any disease. On a personal note, I would feel comfortable using this – and possibly a less diluted version- on myself.
Alaska-beauty
February 27, 2014 at 11:55 AMThis is the reason why FDA want to control all the supplements and essential oils. You can’t use clove for babies! Especially in them mouth!
For kids under 2 years old clove essential oil is poisoning. You will kill your baby liver with this teething oil. Use breast milk as teething liquid -safe and natural.
Ask any dentist they don’t use clove essential oil they use clove extract- it’s not the same. Clove EO is up to 88% evgenol- extract only 1-5%.
Dear Heather I hope you realise that one of your followers will use it on couple months old baby to often. Yes it will work, yes it’s natural -so she will think it safe. It can’t be “not safe”- Heather share it in her blog. And later it will harm or even kill her baby. How do you feel about it? Do you really want to put some one baby in jeopardy for your blog popularity? Shame.
Mary
July 22, 2014 at 11:47 AMShame on you -for being so rude.
Anyone (including sleep deprived mommies) that put anything into their babies mouths without thoroughly investigating or researching, would the ones who the blame or shame fell on.
People should understand by now that even though the internet has many helpful suggestions -it also has misinformation, lies….
Simply put, you really could have delivered your info with a bit more finesse!
Heather
July 22, 2014 at 3:17 PMThanks for your comment, Mary. I did not see the initial one you were responding to until just now. As a point of clarification, I recently decided to pursue my aromatherapy certification because it is always my desire to provide the best information available. In the past few years there has been an increase in information available regarding essential oils, which is why I posted this disclaimer above the recipe in this post.
“UPDATE: Though there is historical precedent for using clove for teething and there is a company that sells it commercially, newer guidelines provided by Essential Oil Safety do not recommend using clove as an analgesic with babies. Instead I recommend investing in an amber teething necklace. This recipe can be helpful for toothaches, though.”
Rachael
August 17, 2014 at 7:21 PMI have been using Punkin Butt Teething Oil that contains clove and peppermint, two oils not recommended for babies. The makers stand by their product claiming it’s safe. What is your take? What is it that makes clove unsafe? What reactions are known? If clove has been used for so long, why is it suddenly dangerous? Just curious and now worried…
Heather
August 17, 2014 at 11:18 PMMy opinion is that although many children won’t have reactions, some will either have a reaction or become sensitized to the oil. Since we don’t know beforehand how a child’s body will respond, it’s best to exercise caution 🙂
Paul Thompson
September 24, 2014 at 2:07 PMYou can also apply other alternative procedures to ease the pain like rubbing your baby’s gums, buy a teething ring that made from firm rubber and always keep it cool — this can give your baby a soothing feeling, offer something edible for gnawing — such as a peeled and chilled cucumber or carrot, and always keep a clean cloth handy to dry your baby’s chin to prevent skin irritation. I hope that helps.
Jess C
December 2, 2015 at 5:17 PMHi! I own the essential oils safety book. Where does it contain this information about clove oil? Thanks
Danielle
February 4, 2016 at 11:39 AMOk I never post any comments but I had to here! My 20 month old was up last night till 5am! Fell asleep this morning and woke up screaming and continued for 30 minutes. He is hungry but will not eat or drink much at all. I googled for some help and found this ! I used 3 drops clove oil and 2 tbsp olive oil. Within a minute of putting it on his gums he stopped screaming and reached for his food !!! Thank you so much!!! THIS WORKS!! everyone with a teething toddler TRY THIS!!!