Chrysanthemum

Key Uses

Eye complaints such as redness, swelling, excessive tearing, floaters and blurry vision; high blood pressure, cardiovascular heat, thrombosis, fever reducer, bacterial infections, viral infections, senility, enhancing longevity, headaches and migraines

History

Chrysanthemum is native to China and Japan and has been used in Chinese medicine for over 3,000 years. It grows wild in China but also is cultivated for its beauty. The cultivated flower is larger and is the one typically used in traditional medicine. The most common types used medicinally are the yellow and white varieties both of which have slightly specific properties. The large flower heads and abundant petals create a flower with a depth and dimension reminding me of its diverse medicinal value.

Clinical Uses

Chrysanthemum is used is both traditional Chinese medicine and Ayuervedic medicine. In Chinese medicine the flower is often used as a tea to bring down fever and cool the body, especially with symptoms associated with the common cold and flu. David Winstone (Herbal Therapeutics p. 116) states that it is “one of the most effective herbs for treating influenza.” He recommends combining it with other antiviral herbs such as Andrographis, honeysuckle, elderflower, isatis or yarrow or this. Chrysanthemum is known also for its anti-inflammatory properties. The anti-inflammatory properties may be partly due its high flavone content. Chrysanthemum is very useful for a variety of eye complaints including redness of the eyes, swelling, excessive tearing, dry eyes, blurry vision and for strengthening the vision in general. Here again, lutein (a flavonoid) present in the flower, may be a key ingredient to help with its affinity to the eyes. This may also be combined with other herbs high in antioxidants such as wolfberry, schizandra, gogi berries or blueberries for an even more powerful eye tonic. In Chinese medicine it is also used to disperse wind and to clear liver heat and soothes liver yang. It is also helpful for reducing heat in the liver meridian. This is a reason it is so useful for conditions of the eyes related to excess liver heat. For skin sores associated with heat a poultice or a salve may be used topically.White chrysanthemum is beneficial for lowering mild hypertension.

Studies

One study used 5 strains of bacteria, four streptococcus strains and one other strain of bacteria which all are commonly associated with dental plaque and formation of caries. Extract of five different strains of tea (green, oolong, blak, pu-erh and chrysanthemum) extract were applied to immortalized human gingival fibroblast tissue. The chrysanthemum tea extract reduced the attachment of all Streptococcus strains to the cells with a 99-99.9% inhibition rate). A black tea with chrysanthemum also had a greater effect on inhibiting bacterial attachment than black tea by itself. This indicates the ability of chrysanthemum’s compounds in inhibiting the attachment of oral bacteria.

Resources