Garlic is often hailed as a wonder food. For centuries, it’s been used both in cooking and traditional medicine, praised for its ability to boost the immune system, improve blood flow, and—according to some beliefs—even ward off bad energy.

But don’t be fooled—while garlic has many benefits, it isn’t harmless for everyone. In fact, certain people may actually experience negative side effects. Here are 4 situations where garlic could do more harm than good:

1. Be cautious if you have liver problems

Garlic is often considered liver-friendly, but that’s not always the case. If you’re dealing with liver conditions like hepatitis or inflammation, garlic might actually aggravate the issue. That’s because garlic has natural irritants that can make an already sensitive liver more inflamed.

Too much garlic can also interfere with liver enzymes and disrupt fat metabolism, which puts extra stress on the liver.

Avoid it if: You suffer from hepatitis, fatty liver, or other liver-related illnesses.

2. Those with eye issues should cut back

There’s an old saying in Chinese medicine:
“Garlic has a hundred benefits, but it harms the eyes.”

This idea stems from the fact that compounds in garlic—especially allicin—can irritate the eye area and worsen issues like dry eyes, conjunctivitis, or general eye fatigue.

If you frequently get red, itchy, or tired eyes, reducing garlic intake might actually help prevent further irritation.

Tip: If you have chronic eye conditions or poor eyesight, consult a medical professional before consuming garlic regularly.