🌿 Avoid Garlic If You Have Eye Problems
Garlic not only has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects but also helps prevent cardiovascular diseases and cancer, earning widespread popularity. However, garlic isn’t suitable for everyone and shouldn’t be consumed daily. Chinese folk wisdom says, “Garlic brings a hundred benefits but harms one eye.” People with glaucoma, cataracts, conjunctivitis, hordeolum, or dry eye syndrome should avoid it.
In TCM, the liver opens into the eyes; sufficient liver blood nourishes the eyes. Liver blood deficiency leads to poor eye nourishment, manifesting as blurred vision and dry eyes. Garlic is pungent and warm in nature—excessive consumption may deplete liver blood, impair eye nourishment, and aggravate eye conditions by increasing fire. Modern medicine also confirms garlic irritates ocular mucosa. Therefore, eye patients must avoid it during treatment and steer clear of pungent foods like scallions, garlic, ginger, and chili peppers. Those with myopia or hyperopia should also avoid excessive scallions and garlic, as they may cause liver blood deficiency and increased liver fire, worsening eye discomfort.