Health Benefits of Cloves 1 Relief for swollen gums: when applied directly, they help clean and numb the pain. 2 Support for acne: used topically, they cleanse, treat, and reduce skin inflammation. 3 Sublingual effect: placed under the tongue, they act on certain nerves linked to nausea and vomiting, easing discomfort. 4 Helpful for travel: they can support both children and adults who often experience motion sickness in the car.