The "Compendium of Materia Medica" contains detailed records of the medicinal effects of chrysanthemum tea: it is sweet in nature and cold in taste, with the effects of dispelling wind-heat, pacifying the liver, and improving eyesight. The "Shennong Ben Cao Jing" states that white chrysanthemum tea can "treat various wind-induced dizziness, swelling and pain, the feeling that the eyes are about to pop out, dead muscle on the skin, and evil wind-dampness arthralgia. Long-term use benefits qi, makes the body light, relieves fatigue, and prolongs life."
When brewing chrysanthemum tea, it is best to use a transparent glass cup, placing four or five flowers each time, and then steeping with boiling water. If many people are drinking, a transparent teapot can be used. Put a small handful of flowers in, add boiling water, and steep for 2 to 3 minutes. Then, pour the tea into several glass cups. Adding a little honey can improve the taste.
However, wild chrysanthemum, which is bitter, should not be consumed. People with allergies should first try brewing one or two flowers to see if there is any adverse reaction before drinking more, but they should not drink it excessively. In addition, because chrysanthemum is cooling in nature, people who are physically weak, have a weak spleen, suffer from a cold stomach, or are prone to diarrhea should not drink it. Generally, chrysanthemum tea is most suitable for people with dizziness, red, swollen, and painful eyes, sore throat, liver fire, and high blood pressure.
When drinking chrysanthemum tea, people often like to add rock sugar to enhance the flavor. Although adding rock sugar to chrysanthemum tea is acceptable, it is best for people with diabetes or high blood sugar to avoid adding sugar and drink it plain. Furthermore, some people with a weak spleen should not add sugar, as overly sweet tea can cause a sticky or sour mouth and excessive saliva. Therefore, for those who are not sure about their own body constitution, it is better not to add rock sugar when drinking chrysanthemum tea.