I have a very high tolerance for pain, so most of the time when I have a headache or stomach pains, I just let it run its course or just sleep it off. I can't say the same about toothaches.
A toothache is arguably the worst pain out there, and sometimes taking painkillers can only do so much.
Not too long ago, one of my wisdom teeth became infected and it was such an agonizing experience. I wasn't able to see a dentist right away, so I spent two whole days unable to talk, eat or even sleep properly.
In the search for relief options, I came across a ton of recommendations for an intriguing remedy: clove oil.
According to Colgate.com, cloves contain eugenol, a natural anesthetic and antibacterial, that will lower pain and reduce inflammation.
Clove oil is available in most grocery stores, drugstores, or natural food stores, but you can also easily make it yourself at home and save a lot of money.
It's really easy to make and a little goes a long way, so it's a good idea to always have some on hand because a toothache can happen without warning.
There are a number of ways you can make clove oil, but there's one easy and quick method that requires the dark, pungent spice to be ground then infused in oil.
Here's how you can make it:
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- Grinder or mortar and pestle
- Cheesecloth or coffee filter
- Elastic band
- Jar
- A piece of aluminum foil
- Double boiler
- Water
- Cotton swab or cotton ball
Directions:
1. Place the cloves in the spice grinder or mortar and pestle, and crush them until they're powdery.
2. Transfer it to the cheesecloth or coffee filter then tie the top with the elastic band to form a small sack.
3. Pour the olive oil into the jar, then add the sack and cover with foil.
4. Add water in the double boiler (if you don't have one, you can put water in a large pot then place a smaller pot on top), then bring it to a boil.
5. Place the jar in the pot for 45 minutes, then remove it and allow to cool to room temperature.
6. Dab the cotton swab or ball into the mixture, then apply it to the area that's sore. You can let the ground cloves stay in the oil for up to a week to make it more potent.
Things to note:
I'll have to admit that this remedy tastes really unpleasant, but it is still much more bearable than an aching tooth. Keep in mind that there are some side effects that come with ingesting this strong oil, so try not to swallow too much of it.
Keep it away from children, and don't use it on teething babies. There are other natural remedies that are better suited for them.
Obviously, this is a temporary solution to help you manage the pain until you're able to go see a dentist. There could be a number of serious reasons why you're in pain, including cavities and tooth decay.
H/T: Abbigli.com