Chrysanthemum Flower – THE flower that calms, cools and clears.
Chrysanthemum Flower (Chrysanthemum morifolium) is used as a tonic herb and
consumed as a tea to nourish the Yin and as an herb to remove wind and heat
(inflammation) from various areas of the body. For thousands of years it has been used
in China as a wonderful remedy for a healthy life, and is considered by many to be a
“longevity herb” because of its excellent, safe and gentle anti-inflammatory actions.
Today, it continues to be one of the most commonly consumed herbs in Asia, consumed
by millions of people every day as a delicious, satisfying health beverage that addresses
many health issues that people face every day. Chrysanthemum is classified as a
surface-relieving herb with yin-nourishing properties. As a safe, delicious, time-tested
“cooling herb” that disperses excess “heat” in the surface of the body, it has a thousand
applications.
According to traditional Chinese herbal theory, its functions include nourishing Yin,
dispersing ascending Yang, dispersing wind and heat (especially from the face, head and
upper body), brightening the eyes, relieving dry eyes (with or without tearing), relieving
headaches, calming the liver and clearing liver heat. Chrysanthemum Flower is
renowned for clearing the skin.
It is most famous and widely used to improve vision and clear heat from the eyes.
Chrysanthemum Flower may help improve vision, and is used for a wide range of
everyday eye problems such as eye strain, soreness and redness. Chrysanthemum
Flower both nourishes the eyes and clears heat from the eyes. It is very widely used by
those who tend to experience dry eyes, dry eyes with tearing or redness due to irritation
by dust, wind, heat and allergies.
Chrysanthemum is also used in Asia to clear the mind. Consuming a relaxing cup of Chrysanthemum tea at bedtime is believed to improve
one’s memory. For mental workers and students, it can help prevent or relieve migraines and headaches caused by too much thinking,
reading, stress and computer work. Consumed during the day or in the evening, it helps relieve stress and tension.
For conditions that involve heat and inflammation, you may consult with your doctor or certified herbalist for other specific uses of this tea.