Chrysanthemum flowers have a slightly bitter but pleasant taste. Medicinally, they exhibit alterative, aritipyretic, and carminative actions primarily on the systems of the body that include the blood, nerves, and liver. Chrysanthemum also helps indigestion and helps to clear heat from the body.
Yellow chrysanthemum flowers are valuable to counteract inflammation and pneumonia and in the treatment of fevers, headaches and dizziness. It helps purify the blood, calm the liver and brighten the eyes. Chrysanthemum is used to reduce inflammation, abscesses and boils. It is a cooling herb very popular in China for treating many Yang ailments.
Chrysanthemum is a carminative and is made into a healthful summer beverage in China.
The name chrysanthemum comes from the Greek words chrysos, meaning "gold," and anthos, meaning "flower." The original wild, delicate white or yellow blossoms were about the size of a dime before hybridization and selective cultivation made possible the many showy varieties we have today. Cultivation of the chrysanthemum began more than 2,000 years ago in China, where it is considered the flower of immortality.
Tea made from dried flowers of the perennial varieties was served to Chinese emperors and today the best-grade tea flowers go for as much as $30 a pound. The chrysanthemum is also the imperial emblem of Japan. The flower was not introduced into Europe until the mid-1700s and was brought to America in 1798.
Plant: Perennial. The plant has erect, usually highly branched stems. Leaves are alternate, lobed, and usually toothed - but sometimes they are smooth-edged. Flowers appear on stem ends in late summer and consist of many florets, some of which are disk-shaped like those that comprise the eyes of daisies. These are generally encircled by a row of toothed or toothless petal-like ray florets. The fruits are hard and one-seeded.
Height: From less than 1 foot to 5 feet, depending on variety.
Soil: Sandy, well drained, rich.
Exposure: Full or partial sun.
Propagation: Sow seed indoors and place seedlings outside when danger of frost has passed. Make root divisions in spring. Take cuttings in fall and root them indoors for outdoor planting in spring. The soil around roots should be firm.
Care: Space plants from 1 foot apart to 3 feet or more, depending on the variety. The usual hardy "mum" for garden cultivation should be kept pinched back to about 6 inches until the middle or end of July. This promotes bushiness and flowering. Also, watch out for nematodes; plant marigolds near the mums to repel them. Cut down the plants to 9 inches after they have flowered. Fertilize with manure.
Part Used for Tea: Flowers. For a sweet tea, use only petals.
Taste: Tangy, aromatic, similar to the flavor of artichoke hearts. Sweeten with honey or sugar.
Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum x morifolium Ramat. (= Dendranthema x grandiflorum Kitam.).
Family: Asteraceae.
Other Names: Ju hua (Chinese); chrysanthème des fleuristes (French); Garten-Chrysantheme (German); chrysantemo (Italian).
Description: The common or garden chrysanthemum is an erect perennial herb with aromatic, lobed leaves and attractive flower heads in a wide range of shapes and colours. Numerous cultivars, all considered of hybrid origin and thought to be derived from C. indicum, have been developed in China over centuries. The form mainly used for medicinal purposes has small, double, yellow or white flower heads. Another well-known species with medicinal properties is C. balsamita, known as alecost, costmary or camphor plant. It is a robust, erect, aromatic herb with distinctive lobed leaves and relatively large flower heads with yellow disc florets and a single row of white ligulate florets around the edge. It was formerly used as a vermifuge and to give a bitter flavour to ale (long before hops became popular).
Origin: Eastern Asia (C. indicum and C. x morifolium); Europe to central Asia (C. balsamita). Flower heads of C. x morifolium are produced in plantations in China.
Parts Used: Dried flower heads of C. x morifolium. (Chrysanthemi flos) or leaves (C. balsamita).
Therapeutic Category: General tonic, anti-inflammatory.
Uses and Properties: In China, the dried flower heads have been used as a tea or as an ingredient of herbal tea for centuries. It is thought to be effective in treating sore eyes, high blood pressure, fevers and microbial infections. External application of poultices or powdered herb is for sore eyes, skin infections, sores, boils and acne.
Active Ingredients: The flower heads contains at least 15 triterpene alcohols, including helianol, 3-dictyopterol, cbrysanthediol A and chrysanthediacetate B, to name a few.
Pharmacological Effects: The triterpenes have anti-inflammatory activity and are cytotoxic against human cancer cells. Extracts of the herb were shown to have antimicrobial activity. Clinical trials indicated that the herb may lower blood pressure.
Status: Traditional medicine.
Preparation and Dosage: A few flower heads are steeped in boiling water and drunk as a tea. In China, commercial tea mixtures, based on traditional recipes and including particular mixtures of herbs, have become popular.
How to Brew
By Infusion: Cover 2 teaspoons dried petals (or 3 teaspoons fresh petals) with 1 cup boiling water. Cover, then steep to taste.
Royal Tea
A good tonic tea. For a nice touch, float a few beautiful flowers on top:
1 teaspoon dried chrysanthemum flowers
1 teaspoon dried cicely leaves (optional)
1 teaspoon ground ginseng root
Decoct ginseng by simmering in 4 cups water for 30 minutes. Add other herbs and steep 5 to 8 minutes.
Product Notes
Shipping Port: Fuzhou
Altitude: below 500 feet
Cup Characteristics: Very floral with pungent notes. Long lingering finish
Infusion: Tending clear to light yellow with a heady aroma
Additional Information
Hot tea brewing method: Use 1 heaping teaspoon of chrysanthemum per one cup of water and place this into your teapot. Pour boiling water into pot and let it steep for 3-5 minutes. Strain as you pour into your cup.
Iced tea brewing method: Generally not consumed as an iced tea.
ZooScape is proud to be the exclusive distributor of TerraVita teas, herbs and supplements in the United States, Canada and around the world. Please direct all wholesale and bulk inquiries to Simona Heather at 905-494-1785.
Our Price: $6.53 US
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Number of Reviews: 4 Average Rating: 4.2
Chrysanthemum Tea
I first tried this tea on a recent business trip to Singapore. I found it light, refreshing, and a great alternative to coffee or other teas. Not sure, but I think it has no or little caffeine? I'm pleased with my purchase and would consider buying this or other products through Zooscape in the future.
