What is in the evil-eye pouch?
The evil-eye pouches hung around children’s necks hold Syrian rue seeds, and also black pepper, garlic skin and black cumin. The reason is the belief that sharp smells “break” the evil eye. In Alanya, prayer beads and necklaces are made from the seeds of Christ’s thorn, and its branches are hung on doors, cars and wedding horses.
Source: Deniz Güçlü, “Anadolu’da Nazar İnancı: Halk Hekimliğinde Tanı ve Korunma Pratikleri”, Lokman Hekim Dergisi 16(2), 2026 (Güçlü, Lokman Hekim Dergisi, 2026). This is a folk record, not a treatment recommendation.
Flour sprinkled on wounds: yarrow