Why Drinking Tea Benefits Eye Health in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Published 2026-05-31 · 459 words · TCM & Functional Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the belief that drinking tea can brighten the eyes has been recorded in herbal classics for centuries. The Ming dynasty physician Li Shizhen wrote in the Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu): "Tea is bitter and cold in nature... it most effectively reduces fire, and fire is the source of all diseases; when fire descends, the upper body becomes clear." Ming scholars Qian Chunian and Gu Yuanqing further elaborated in their work Cha Pu (Tea Manual), affirming that tea can "brighten the eyes and benefit the mind."
Tea leaves are rich in nutrients essential for maintaining healthy vision, particularly vitamins B1, B2, C, and A. Vitamin A is a key component for retinal function; deficiency can lead to night blindness. Vitamin B1 supports the optic nerve; a lack may cause optic neuritis, blurred vision, and dry eyes. Vitamin B2 participates in cellular oxidation-reduction and nourishes the epithelial tissues of the eyes; deficiency can result in corneal opacity, dryness, and reduced vision. Vitamin C is a nutrient for the lens; insufficient intake is a contributing factor to cataracts. Regular tea consumption helps supply these vitamins, supporting normal vision and reducing eye fatigue.
A survey of 200 cataract patients investigated the relationship between tea drinking and cataract development. The study found that non-tea drinkers had nearly double the incidence of cataracts compared to regular tea drinkers, and their condition was more severe. Because tea provides abundant eye-nourishing vitamins, consistent intake helps replenish these nutrients, maintaining visual function and preventing fatigue.
According to TCM theory, "the essence of the five viscera and six bowels all ascends to pour into the eyes." Vision is closely linked to the liver, blood, and overall visceral function. During metabolism, the body produces toxins that are largely excreted through urine. Tea promotes diuresis, helping to expel pathogenic toxins, thereby purifying the blood and visceral essence. This supports the liver blood and organ essence that nourish the eyes, keeping them healthy and bright. Clinical practice confirms this principle. Many TCM ophthalmology texts include tea-based formulas; for example, the Yinshi Yaohan (Silver Sea of Ophthalmology) contains 36 such prescriptions that effectively treat various eye disorders.
Beyond internal consumption, tea can be used topically. For instance, 25 grams of green tea can be boiled in water, then allowed to settle. The clear liquid can be used to wash the eyes, offering relief for blepharitis (commonly called "sore eye margins") and acute contagious conjunctivitis ("pink eye").
References
Li Shizhen. Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu), Ming Dynasty, 1578.
Qian Chunian, Gu Yuanqing. Cha Pu (Tea Manual), Ming Dynasty.
Fu Renzhong, ed. Yinshi Yaohan (Silver Sea of Ophthalmology), Qing Dynasty.
Survey on cataract incidence and tea consumption, cited in modern Chinese ophthalmology literature.