The opening is immediate and declarative, spicy, phenolic, and deeply clove-like, with the faint warmth of cinnamon underneath and a herbal freshness that keeps it from being simply medicinal. The heart settles into a rich, warm spice-wood character, smooth and rounded compared to the leaf oil, with genuine staying power at 36 hours on a smelling strip. The synaesthetic picture is vivid: Christmas, winter spice cake, red candlelight, dry autumn leaves. At low concentrations it adds an almost tactile warmth and depth to a composition; pushed too high it becomes the whole story.

Clove Bud Essential Oil works as a heart-to-base note spice modifier and depth-builder.

Recommended concentration: 0.05% minimum, 0.3% average, up to 3% maximum in a finished compound. Observe IFRA limits for eugenol content strictly in leave-on skin applications.

Particularly effective in:

Carnation, dianthus, and oeillet accords, where eugenol is the key character-defining compound
Oriental, amber, and spice-forward compositions
Rose and floral heart accords needing warmth and depth
Fougere and honeysuckle structures
Vanilla, strawberry, and raspberry accords at low levels
Pot pourri and incense (rated good for both)
Fine fragrance, personal care, and fabric care (rated very good to excellent)

Blends well with:

Florals: rose, carnation, jasmine, ylang ylang
Spices: cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, nutmeg
Orientals: vanilla, benzoin, labdanum
Woods: cedarwood, sandalwood, patchouli
Citrus: bergamot, orange for a warming spice-citrus top

Note: avoid in cold wave and chlorine-heavy applications.

Material Type: Essential oil
Botanical Name: Syzygium aromaticum (syn. Eugenia caryophyllata)
Common Name: Clove Bud
Plant Part: Dried flower buds
Extraction Method: Steam distillation
CAS Number: 8000-34-8
FEMA Number: 2323
Origin: Indonesia
Odour Profile: Warm, spicy, sweet clove, faint cinnamon, woody, phenolic, lightly herbal
Appearance: Straw-coloured liquid (darkens in iron containers; avoid iron storage)
Specific Gravity: 1.042
Refractive Index: 1.542
Flash Point: 87.78°C
Boiling Point: 251°C
Solubility: Soluble in alcohol and oils
Key Components: Eugenol (70-90%), eugenyl acetate, beta-caryophyllene
Regulatory Status: SDS and/or IFRA documentation can be supplied upon request where available.

For external use only. Do not ingest
High eugenol content; eugenol is an IFRA-restricted compound and a known skin sensitiser. Observe applicable usage limits strictly in leave-on skin applications and do not use undiluted on skin
Clove bud oil is the safest of the three clove oil types (bud, leaf, stem); the leaf and stem oils contain significantly higher eugenol levels and are not recommended for skin use
Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes
Do not store in iron containers; the oil darkens and degrades on contact with iron
Flammable liquid; flash point 87.78°C; keep away from heat, sparks, and open flames
Use in a well-ventilated area
Store tightly sealed in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight
Shelf life: 3-4 years when stored correctly