4. They have antibacterial properties.
A study at the University of Buenos Aires looked at how cloves worked against E. coli and staphylococcus, two dangerous bacteria. The research showed that these bacteria could be killed by clove oil. There is even a recipe for a herbal mouthwash made with tea tree oil, cloves, and basil. The Department of Periodontics at KU Leuven University in Belgium says that after 21 days of use, this natural mouthwash can improve gum health and reduce the number of bacteria and plaque in the mouth.