Cloves to Remove Skin Tags and Warts in One Night?
What People Claim, What Science Says, and What You Should Know Before Trying It
Search online for natural skin remedies, and one claim appears again and again:
“Cloves can remove skin tags and warts overnight.”
It sounds simple.
It sounds natural.
It sounds almost too good to question.
And that’s exactly why it should be questioned.
Cloves have been used for centuries in traditional practices, especially for oral care and microbial support. In recent years, they’ve become popular in online wellness spaces for skin concerns — including skin tags and warts.
But popularity does not equal proof.
This article breaks down:
- Why cloves are associated with skin tag and wart remedies
- What cloves actually contain
- What they may help with
- What they cannot do
- Why “overnight removal” claims are misleading
- Safer, realistic options for dealing with skin tags and warts
First, Let’s Clarify: Skin Tags and Warts Are Not the Same
Before discussing any remedy, it’s important to understand what you’re dealing with.
Skin Tags
- Soft, flesh-colored growths
- Common in areas of friction (neck, armpits, groin)
- Benign (non-cancerous)
- Not caused by infection
Warts
- Caused by human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Can be flat, raised, rough, or clustered
- Contagious
- Often appear on hands, feet, or face
Because they are different conditions, no single remedy works the same way for both.
Why Cloves Are Even Mentioned for Skin Issues
Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) contain a powerful compound called eugenol.
Eugenol is known for:
- Strong antimicrobial activity (in lab settings)
- Local anesthetic properties
- Anti-inflammatory effects
- Tissue-irritating potential at high concentrations
These properties are the reason cloves have traditionally been used for:
- Tooth pain
- Oral hygiene
- Preserving food
Some people extrapolate from these properties and assume cloves can “kill” skin growths.
That leap is where misinformation often begins.
What Cloves Can Do — Realistically
Let’s be honest and precise.
Cloves may:
- Inhibit certain bacteria and fungi in controlled environments
- Cause irritation to superficial tissue
- Dry out skin when applied improperly
- Trigger inflammation or chemical burns if concentrated
Cloves cannot:
- Magically dissolve skin tags overnight
- Erase warts instantly
- Eliminate HPV from the body
- Selectively remove abnormal tissue without affecting healthy skin
Any substance strong enough to “remove” tissue overnight is not acting gently — it is causing damage.
The “Overnight Removal” Myth Explained
Claims of overnight removal usually involve:
- Clove essential oil
- Highly concentrated applications
- Occlusion (covering the area tightly)
What actually happens in these cases is chemical irritation or tissue injury, not targeted treatment.
Possible outcomes include:
- Burns
- Scarring
- Infection
- Increased inflammation
- Delayed healing
- Misdiagnosis of the lesion
In some cases, the growth may darken or scab — which people interpret as “working” — but this does not mean the root issue is resolved.
