Chrysanthemum Ju Hua: A Gentle Herb for Cooling, Eye Health, and Blood Pressure
Hongji Medical- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Chrysanthemum, also known as “longevity guest” or “golden flower” in Chinese medicine, is a highly valued herb with a long history and wide use. Trusted by doctors and patients alike, it’s known for its cooling and calming effects.
This article explores Chrysanthemum’s history, characteristics, uses, benefits, combinations with other herbs, comparisons to similar herbs, modern applications, and important precautions.
1. Historical Records of Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum’s use dates back to ancient times, first recorded in the Shennong Bencao Jing (Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica), where it’s listed as a top-grade herb.
The text states it “treats dizziness from wind, swelling and pain, eyes feeling like they’ll pop out, excessive tearing, dead skin, and joint pain from wind and dampness.” This shows its early use for headaches, eye issues, and joint discomfort.
Later texts, like the Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica) by Li Shizhen, describe it as “clearing heat, detoxifying, improving eyesight, and lowering blood pressure.” These ancient records highlight Chrysanthemum’s importance in Chinese medicine and provide valuable insights for modern use.
2. Characteristics of Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum comes from the Chrysanthemum morifolium plant, part of the Asteraceae family. Its stems are upright with many branches, and its leaves are egg-shaped or elongated with serrated edges. It blooms from September to November with clustered flowers in various colors, such as yellow, white, or purple. The fruit, a small black seed, matures from November to December.
In Chinese medicine, Chrysanthemum is slightly cold in nature, sweet and bitter in taste, and works on the lung and liver meridians. Its key components include volatile oils, flavonoids, and chrysanthemum glycosides, which give it its unique health benefits.
3. Different Varieties of Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum has several varieties, including Hangzhou White Chrysanthemum, Gongju, and Wild Chrysanthemum:
Hangzhou White Chrysanthemum: Grown in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, it has large, soft white flowers with a strong fragrance, often called the “king of chrysanthemums.”
Gongju: Grown in Huangshan, Anhui, it has small, firm yellow flowers with a mild fragrance.
Wild Chrysanthemum: Found in the wild, it has small, colorful flowers with a strong scent.
Each variety has slightly different effects but shares the ability to clear heat, improve eyesight, and lower blood pressure.
Hangzhou White Chrysanthemum is considered top-quality and used in premium medicines and supplements, while Gongju and Wild Chrysanthemum are common in everyday remedies.
4. Conditions Treated by Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum is used in Chinese medicine to treat several health issues:
Headaches, Fever, and Sore Throat from Colds: It clears heat and wind, easing cold symptoms.
Dizziness, Ringing Ears, and High Blood Pressure from Liver Overactivity: It calms the liver and lowers blood pressure, reducing dizziness and related symptoms.
Red, Painful, or Dry Eyes and Blurry Vision: It soothes the liver and improves eye comfort.
Sores and Swelling: Its detoxifying properties help reduce swelling and treat sores.
5. Benefits of Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum’s main benefits include clearing heat, detoxifying, improving eyesight, and lowering blood pressure. It helps with colds, headaches, dizziness, eye issues, high blood pressure, and sores.
It also has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral effects, making it useful for modern health issues caused by pollution or stress. Its key benefits are:
Clearing Wind and Heat: It relieves cold symptoms like fever and sore throat.
Calming the Liver and Improving Eyesight: It reduces dizziness and soothes eye discomfort.
Detoxifying: It helps clear toxins, reducing swelling and sores.
Lowering Blood Pressure: It supports blood pressure management.
6. Modern Applications
Modern research shows Chrysanthemum contains active compounds like flavonoids, polysaccharides, and alkaloids, offering several health benefits:
Anti-Inflammatory: Flavonoids reduce inflammation, helping with colds and sore throats.
Antibacterial: Polysaccharides fight bacteria, aiding in treating sores and infections.
Antiviral: Alkaloids combat viruses, helping prevent and treat viral colds.
Blood Pressure Reduction: It lowers blood pressure, supporting heart health.
Cholesterol Reduction: It helps lower cholesterol levels.
Beyond Chinese medicine, Chrysanthemum is used in supplements to boost immunity, reduce inflammation, and fight bacteria. It’s also added to cosmetics to improve skin health and slow aging.
7. Combinations in Herbal Formulas
In Chinese medicine, Chrysanthemum is often combined with other herbs to boost its effects. Here are some common formulas:
Sang Ju Yin (Mulberry and Chrysanthemum Drink): A formula for early-stage colds, made with mulberry leaf, Chrysanthemum, apricot kernel, forsythia, mint, platycodon, licorice, and reed rhizome. Chrysanthemum clears heat and wind, working with other herbs to relieve cough and cold symptoms.
Qi Ju Dihuang Wan (Goji and Chrysanthemum Rehmannia Pill): Used for blurry vision or dry eyes due to liver and kidney deficiency. Chrysanthemum improves eyesight, paired with goji berry and rehmannia to nourish the liver and kidneys.
Chrysanthemum Tea: Brewing Chrysanthemum alone as a tea clears heat and soothes eyes, ideal for mild colds or eye discomfort.
8. Comparison with Similar Herbs
Other herbs in Chinese medicine also clear heat and wind. Here’s how Chrysanthemum compares:
Mint (Bo He):
Similarities: Both clear wind and heat, helping with cold symptoms.
Differences: Mint is cooler and better for early-stage heat-related colds, while Chrysanthemum is gentler and ideal for liver-related dizziness and eye issues.
Mulberry Leaf (Sang Ye):
Similarities: Both clear heat and support the lungs.
Differences: Mulberry Leaf is better for lung dryness and cough, while Chrysanthemum focuses on liver and eye health.
Honeysuckle (Jin Yin Hua):
Similarities: Both clear heat and detoxify.
Differences: Honeysuckle is stronger for severe toxic sores, while Chrysanthemum is better for eye and blood pressure issues.
Choosing the right herb depends on the patient’s specific symptoms and condition, guided by Chinese medicine diagnosis.
9. Precautions
When using Chrysanthemum, keep these points in mind:
Correct Diagnosis: It’s best for heat-related or liver overactivity conditions. Avoid using it in cases of weak digestion or cold spleen and stomach.
Proper Dosage: The typical dose is 5–10 grams per day. Too much may cause side effects like stomach upset.
10. Conclusion
Chrysanthemum is a treasured herb in Chinese medicine with a rich history and wide applications. Its ability to clear heat, improve eyesight, and lower blood pressure makes it a go-to remedy for colds, dizziness, eye issues, and more. Modern research confirms its many benefits, extending its use to supplements and cosmetics.
By understanding its historical uses, characteristics, benefits, herbal combinations, comparisons to similar herbs, and precautions, we can use Chrysanthemum safely and effectively to support health and well-being.
