FUN FACTS
Botanical name: Chrysanthemum morifolium, AKA 菊花 (júhuā), mums, In Chinese art, four plants stood for the noble ones or the Four Gentlemen, and represents the four seasons. They are chrysanthemum ( autumn), plum blossom (梅花 méihuā , winter), orchid (兰花 lánhuā, spring) and bamboo (竹 Zhú, summer). Chrysanthemum is the official flower of Chicago, Illinois since 1966.
CONSTITUENTS
Volatile oils(borneol, bornyl acetate, chrysanthemon, and camphor), flavones, sesquiterpenes and triterpenes. It also contains adenine, choline, amino acids, vitamins and minerals.¹ Beta-carotene, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, Vitamin B &C, folic acid, niacin, and riboflavin.
USES/ BENEFITS
TCM usually refers to Ju Hua (Flos Chrysanthemi), Cold and flu, headache, fever, blurred vision, red eyes, dizziness, and skin sores. ¹Chrysanthemum tea is has been shown to benefit type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, insomnia, and chest pain. Anti-HIV (study1, study2), antibacterial, antioxidant.
CAUTION
Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium or Chrysanthemum coccineum are insecticides. Do not eat these types or grow them with plants that you eat. Allergies: If you are allergic to ragweed, daisies, or marigolds, you may be allergic to chrysanthemum since they are from the same plant family.
TYPES
There are over 300 species of Chrysanthemum. Most are designed for a variety of ornamental purposes. Below are 3 that seem most popular and functional:
Garland chrysanthemum, AKA Shingiku (Japanese), Tong Hao (Chinese) Crown Daisy (English). is most popular plant for stir frys and salads. Both the flowers and leaves are edible. Use the pedals on the flowers, the base is bitter. Seeds. Recipes: Korean Recipe , stir fry with Garlic, Shungiku and Maitake Stir Fry
Cinerariaefolium Chrysanthemum is a natural insecticide and an insect repellent. Its active ingredient is pyrethrin and is derived from pulverized flowers. Pyrethrins attack the nervous systems of all insects. Do not plant this with your edible garden, especially your edible chrysanthemum. Seeds.
Rainbow Chrysanthemum. This is just one an example of the multitude of colors, designs and shapes for ornamental chrysanthemums available online. Easiest is to order seeds.
GROWING
Pruning and growing Chrysanthemums from cuttings
How to harvest Chrysanthemum seeds from the flowers.
PRODUCTS
Chrysanthemum is extremely popular and each category has plenty of options available online. Google "chrysanthemum" and the product category. Below are examples of chrysanthemum products - not a comprehensive list.
TCM NOTES
This information is for education purposes only. Seek the advice of your physician before taking any home remedies, herbs, or supplements.
| Temp | Taste | Ent. Meridians | Photo |
|
cool
Name 菊花 júhuā |
sweet
bitter
|
lung
liver
Action release to exterior
clears heat
stimulated blood circulation
disperses wind
|
|
| Indications/Issues | Description / Symptoms | Usefulness(1-10) |
| Insomnia | ♦♦♦♦♦ | |
| High Blood Sugar | ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ | |
| High Blood Pressure | ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ | |
| Actions | Actions | Actions |
| Clears Heat | Circulates Blood | Disperses Wind |
| Release to Exterior | ||
DOSAGE information found online
Always consult your doctor before taking any herbal supplements.
PARTS USED
• Flowers
• Leaves
***Always consult your doctor before taking any herbal supplements.***
Contraindications
Do not use with diarrhea
Yang deficiency
Poor appetite
Drugs Interactions
Herb Interactions
Xiang Fan/ Incompatibility:
Xiang Wei/ Counteraction:
Xiang Sha/ Suppression:
Xiang Wu / Antagonism:
Xiang Xu/ Accentuation:
Xiang Shi/ Enhancement:
EDITOR NOTES
In most Chinese restaurants that serve primarily Chinese clientele, we often order chrysanthemum tea. I had always thought it was better tasting than the typical black tea, but never gave much thought to its medicinal use. I also thought that the tea was soothing and often drink it before bed. Had no idea it's a sedative and a treatment for insomnia. I've never had chrysanthemum other than steeping the dried flowers in tea and often eating the flowers from my tea cup. I'm really looking forward to growing garland chrysanthemum so I can stir fry it. Sounds yummy.
REFERENCES
This information in this post came from many sources, including class notes, practitioners, websites, webinars, books, magazines, and editor's personal experience. Always consult a doctor prior to using herbal medicine. The information here is strictly for educational purposes.