Eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol) is the main component of oil of cloves Eugenia caryophyllata (syn. Syzigium aromaticum). Essential oil extracted from the cloves contains almost 72 to 90% eugenol. Cloves are widely grown in Indonesia, Madagascar and also in other countries like India and Sri Lanka. Eugenol is a natural phenolic compound is present in reasonable amounts in several other spices like basil, cinnamon and bay leaves. Eugenol has been used as a flavoring agent in cosmetics and food products and also plays a role in dentistry as cavity filling cement. Eugenol is said to possess various biological properties like antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, etc. At low concentrations, it usually acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, whereas at higher concentration, act as a pro-oxidant causing increased generation of tissue-damaging free radicals. It has been reported to possess anti-genotoxic activity.