Cloves are an aromatic spice rich in plant compounds such as eugenol and are traditionally used in teas and other home preparations. They can be part of a balanced diet, but there is no good evidence that drinking clove tea can cure cataracts, restore eyesight, or replace glasses or medical eye treatment.
Simple Clove Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 4–5 whole cloves
- 1½ cups water
- 1 small piece of fresh ginger, optional
- ½ teaspoon honey, optional
- A small squeeze of lemon, optional
Preparation
1. Boil the water
Bring 1½ cups of water to a gentle boil.
2. Add the cloves
Add 4–5 whole cloves. If using ginger, add a few thin slices as well.
3. Simmer
Reduce the heat and simmer for 5–10 minutes.
4. Strain
Remove the cloves and ginger and pour the tea into a cup.
5. Finish to taste
Add a little lemon or honey if desired. Let it cool slightly before adding honey.
6. Enjoy
One cup is plenty for a simple beverage. You don’t need large amounts to obtain the flavor and aroma of cloves.
Why include cloves in your diet?
Cloves contain antioxidant compounds and can add flavor without requiring much of the spice. However, claims that cloves can eliminate cataracts or dramatically improve vision are not established by clinical evidence.
Important: Don’t put clove tea, clove oil, or crushed cloves directly into your eyes. The eye is very sensitive, and concentrated clove preparations can cause irritation or injury. If you have persistent blurred vision, eye pain, redness, flashes, or sudden changes in vision, an eye examination is much more appropriate than a home remedy.
See more on the next page
