Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat normally use as an attractive flower for horticultural purpose in Europe, but in several Asian countries such as China, Korea and Japan it has been use as a traditional medicine. The flower of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat, owing to its broad pharmaceutical effects as well as it fragrance, is also used as a beverage – chrysanthemum tea.
Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat is widely
distributed in most habitats of China as well as Korea and Japan. In China, it is cultivated mainly in Zhejiang province along the Yangzi River. Ting Xiang City of this province, also refer to as the “City of Chrysanthemum,” produces about 4000-5000 tons of chrysanthemum flower each year, which accounts for more than 90% of the total Chrysanthemum production in China.Chrysanthemum Tea is prepared in the same way as traditional tea. The dried flowers are infused with hot water for over 10 min. and the tea is ready to serve. For clinical usage, the chrysanthemum is boiled either alone or together with various herbs, according to the prescription to suit a specific clinical purpose.
Based on traditional usage, in addition to use as a tea Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat is used for common cold, fever, migraines, conjunctivitis, eye irritation, hypertension, ulcerative colitis, vertigo, ophthalmia with swelling and pain, etc. As a mixture with other herbs, it has been claimed to be able to relieve migraines and eye irritation, improve vision and cure keratitis.
Apart from the above traditional usage, there were also other usages, such as antitumor activities. Chrysanthemum water extract was found to significantly inhibit growth of transplanted tumor in mice, suggesting that the water soluble components of chrysanthemum may have potent chemopreventive effects.
Chrysanthemum Tea as Traditional Medicine
