As a health tonic, Chrysanthemum has been used in China for more than two thousand years.
The Shen Nong’s Canon of Materia Medica compiled before the Christian era, rated it as a “superior herb, the use of which prolongs life.”
In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), Chrysanthemum has pungent, sweet, bitter and slightly cold properties, and is associated with the Lung and Liver meridians.
Its three main functions are to pacify the liver, to release toxins, and to dispel wind and clear heat. It is also well known to help with eye health.
Chrysanthemum is recognized for its numerous healing properties, particularly its effectiveness in balancing and detoxifying the liver organ system. The liver system functions not only as a filter for toxins but also plays a key role in promoting overall circulation. When the liver meridian system is compromised, individuals may experience a range of symptoms, including migraines, skin rashes, tremors, and more serious conditions such as strokes.
Chrysanthemum tea is commonly consumed in China to alleviate various eye-related issues, especially floaters, blurred vision, and discomfort behind the eyes. In the context of Chinese Medicine, the liver system is linked to the health of the eyes, meaning that an imbalance in the liver can manifest as eye problems.
Additionally, the liver system is vital for the smooth flow of Qi (pronounced “Chee”—the body’s life energy) and blood throughout the body. When this flow is obstructed, it can lead to insufficient blood supply to the eyes, resulting in dryness and weakness of the eye muscles, which may cause issues with eye movement and floaters. In China, elderly individuals often drink chrysanthemum tea daily for alleviating headaches and vision-related problems.
Chrysanthemum flowers are known to reduce excess Yang energy within the liver channel. An abundance of Yang Qi (characterized by its active and mobile nature) in the body can lead to “overactive” conditions, such as hypertension, severe headaches, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, and heightened emotional states, including anger and impatience. By calming Yang energy and restoring balance to the liver system, chrysanthemum tea can provide relief for those experiencing these issues.
Excessive Yang energy can create heat in the body, adversely affecting both circulation and the immune system. This imbalance may result in serious health problems, including cancer. Chrysanthemum is also recognized for its beneficial properties for individuals fighting cancer and is often included in various Chinese medicine formulations aimed at addressing infections, mucus buildup, and cancer treatment.
When I visited a highly reputable TCM practitioner in Paris (known for helping billionaires and celebrities) to get his perspective on my severe case of seborrheic dermatitis, the first thing he mentioned was to consume copious amounts of chrysanthemum tea. I didn’t understand what it was at first. He wrote it down in Chinese on a napkin and told me to go to an asian supermarket and show it to someone there.
Not only did consuming large amounts of chrysanthemum tea immediately help with my skin health, but I also felt more emotionally even-keeled. I was less stressed and impatient in general, which coincides with the literature on the benefits of chrysanthemum.
In order to make chrysanthemum tea, simply boil about a tablespoon of the flowers in water for 15 minutes, let cool and enjoy.