Chrysanthemum is one of the most familiar traditional Chinese medicines. TCM health experts also consider chrysanthemum tea the top tea for spring health preservation. Different varieties of chrysanthemum have different effects, and the "heat-clearing and detoxifying" properties of chrysanthemum tea are not suitable for everyone, with many contraindications.
Chrysanthemum, a herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family, is one of the most commonly used traditional Chinese medicines in China, primarily using its flower heads for medicinal purposes.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, chrysanthemum is considered sweet and bitter in taste, slightly cold in nature, and has effects such as dispelling wind and clearing heat, clearing the liver and brightening the eyes, and detoxifying and reducing inflammation. It is particularly suitable for spring health preservation.
The Number One Tea for Spring Health Preservation
Chrysanthemum Tea: Soothes the Liver and Reduces Liver Fire
Spring corresponds to the liver in TCM. Improper care can easily lead to liver fire, which may manifest as irritability, a quick temper, and sometimes the following symptoms: dry mouth and tongue, bitter taste and bad breath, dry eyes, dizziness and headaches, vexation and insomnia. Women may experience breast tenderness and irregular menstruation. Medicines that clear liver fire must have the characteristics of "descending" and "reducing."
The Qing Dynasty pharmacology monograph "Ben Cao Zheng Yi" states: "All flowers are primarily for promoting and dispersing, but chrysanthemum alone has a descending nature, capable of pacifying liver fire."
Chrysanthemum Tea: Moistens Dryness and Reduces Stomach Fire
The weather in spring is dry. If water is not replenished in time, the body can develop stomach fire due to a lack of body fluids. The Qing Dynasty pharmacology work "Ben Xin Bian" records: "The reason sweet chrysanthemum can be widely used lies in its ability to reduce the stomach fire of the Yangming meridian."
Stomach fire is essentially stomach heat, often caused by damp-heat, excessive alcohol consumption, or a diet rich in spicy and greasy foods. Drinking chrysanthemum tea can help clear and reduce stomach fire.
Chrysanthemum Tea: Assists in Treating Eye Diseases
Spring is warm and humid, which is conducive to bacterial reproduction and can easily trigger various eye diseases, with conjunctivitis being the most common. The Ming Dynasty pharmacology work "Yao Pin Hua Yi" states: "Chrysanthemum can treat acute red and swollen eyes, eye pain, and tearing."
Acute red eyes are equivalent to epidemic keratoconjunctivitis in Western medicine. Modern pharmacological research also shows that chrysanthemum decoctions and water infusions have inhibitory effects on various bacteria and viruses.
Although chrysanthemum is the most familiar traditional Chinese medicine to everyone and its many benefits are well-known, did you know that chrysanthemums should be consumed according to their variety? Different varieties of chrysanthemum have different effects when brewed into tea. See if you've been drinking it correctly!
Different Varieties of Chrysanthemum
Different Effects When Brewed into Tea
Hangzhou Chrysanthemum for Sore Throat
Hangzhou chrysanthemum flowers are large and come in two types: Hangzhou white chrysanthemum and Hangzhou yellow chrysanthemum, with the former being slightly sweeter. Compared to Tribute chrysanthemum, Hangzhou chrysanthemum has a more prominent dark flower center, and its petals are more prone to falling apart after brewing. When you have a sore throat, drinking Hangzhou chrysanthemum is the best choice.
Tribute Chrysanthemum for Brightening Eyes
Tribute chrysanthemum, also known as "Huangshan Tribute Chrysanthemum," has snow-white petals and green stems. If brewed for a long time, the tea will turn green. The cold nature of Tribute chrysanthemum is relatively mild, and it can clear the liver, brighten the eyes, and nourish the liver and eyes.
Brewing Tribute chrysanthemum with goji berries is a good remedy for eye protection for office workers who use computers.
Chuzhou Chrysanthemum for Reducing Fire
Chuzhou chrysanthemum, also known as "white chrysanthemum" or "sweet chrysanthemum," has the most tightly packed petals among all chrysanthemums. Chuzhou chrysanthemum has the strongest effect of dispelling wind and clearing heat. If you experience symptoms of "summer heat cold" such as a dry throat and dizziness, drinking some Chuzhou chrysanthemum can help alleviate these symptoms.
Wild Chrysanthemum for Reducing Inflammation
Wild chrysanthemum flowers are smaller and more yellow, and their shape is not as attractive. Its bitter and cold nature is stronger. Wild chrysanthemum has the strongest effects of detoxification, clearing heat, and reducing swelling, and is effective for relieving sores, toothaches, and bad breath.
Generally, wild chrysanthemum should not be used for tea to avoid damaging the spleen and stomach's yang energy, which can lead to adverse reactions such as stomach discomfort, rumbling intestines, and loose stools.
Chrysanthemum is truly a wonderful traditional Chinese medicine. However, after drinking chrysanthemum tea for so many years, few people know about the contraindications for drinking it. Be careful, as drinking it incorrectly can harm your qi and body. Be sure to remember this clearly this time.
Contraindications for Drinking Chrysanthemum Tea
Not Suitable for Continuous Consumption
Regardless of which type of chrysanthemum is used for tea, it should not be consumed continuously for long periods. Generally, 3-5 days is sufficient.
Those with a Weak Spleen and Stomach Should Drink Less
For people with a yang-deficient constitution, drinking chrysanthemum tea with its heat-clearing and fire-reducing properties for a long time can easily damage their vital qi, making them weaker. This is especially true for those with a weak spleen and stomach. Excessive consumption of cooling chrysanthemum tea can easily cause stomach discomfort.
Not Suitable for Pregnant Women
Chrysanthemum tea is cold in nature and sweet in taste, with a strong effect of dispelling qi. However, pregnant women have lower immunity and weaker digestive systems. Consuming chrysanthemum tea can easily irritate the stomach, causing symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea, which is not conducive to the healthy growth of the fetus.
Those with Allergies Should Drink with Caution
Some people are allergic to chrysanthemum tea. Once consumed, it can cause allergic reactions such as skin redness and swelling, or rashes. Therefore, people with allergies may experience side effects from drinking chrysanthemum tea, which is detrimental to their health.
Healthy Ways to Drink Chrysanthemum Tea
Best to Brew with Boiling Water, No Sugar Added
It is best to brew chrysanthemum tea in a transparent glass cup. Generally, use about five chrysanthemum flowers and add an appropriate amount of boiling water. Usually, one cup of chrysanthemum tea can be brewed about five to seven times.
Some people like to add rock sugar or honey to their chrysanthemum tea. Experts believe that adding a moderate amount of rock sugar or honey to adjust the flavor is acceptable. However, for people with diabetes or high blood sugar, it is best not to add sugar.
In addition, people with a weak spleen should also avoid adding sugar, as overly sweet tea can cause a sour taste in the mouth, increased saliva, and other uncomfortable symptoms.
Pairing with Other Herbs for Better Health
In addition to brewing directly with boiling water, chrysanthemum tea can also be paired with other ingredients, offering different flavors and health benefits.
Chrysanthemum tea paired with hawthorn helps to reduce fat and lower blood pressure, making it suitable for people with obesity or hypertension. Chrysanthemum paired with honeysuckle helps to prevent wind-heat colds and sore throats. Chrysanthemum paired with goji berries clears the liver and brightens the eyes, making it suitable for students and office workers who stay up late.
As you can see, using chrysanthemum tea to reduce heat and fire requires making the right choices; it's not a one-size-fits-all remedy.