Chrysanthemum tea is an excellent choice for a caffeine-free, refreshing and mild beverage with a long history in traditional Chinese medicine. It’s known for its cooling properties and subtle floral flavor, making it a perfect option to beat the heat.
Yin Qualities: In traditional Chinese medicine, chrysanthemum is considered a “cooling” herb with yin qualities. Yin represents coolness, calm, and moisture, which counteracts the yang qualities of heat, dryness, and inflammation.
However, chrysanthemum tea benefits go beyond just cooling the body. Here’s a detailed look at its traditional uses:
Traditional Chinese Uses
- Eye Health: Used to improve vision and relieve eye strain. It is often prescribed for conditions like red eyes, dry eyes, and blurred vision, especially after prolonged use of screens or exposure to harsh sunlight.
- Detoxification: Believed to help detoxify the liver and cleanse the blood. It is often used in conjunction with other herbs to support liver health and improve overall detoxification processes in the body.
- Respiratory Health: Used to alleviate symptoms of respiratory conditions such as colds, coughs, and sore throats. The tea is thought to help clear the lungs and relieve sinus congestion.
- Improving Digestion: Used to aid digestion and alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort. It can help relieve bloating, indigestion, and stomach cramps.
- Headache Relief: Often used to relieve headaches and migraines, particularly those caused by heat and stress.
Chrysanthemum Tea Benefits
Chrysanthemum tea offers a variety of health benefits due to its rich vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants content. Here are some verifiable health benefits1 linked to chrysanthemum tea:
1. Eye Health Benefits
Chrysanthemum tea contains beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A helps produce the pigments in the retina that are necessary for both low-light (night) vision and color vision.
In addition, it supports the health of the cornea, the eye’s surface, and prevents conditions such as dry eyes, night blindness, and macular degeneration. Therefore, comsuming chrysanthemum tea may be good for the eyes.
2. Skin Health
The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties of chrysanthemum tea can improve skin health. It can help reduce acne, soothe irritated skin, and promote a healthy looking skin.
Vitamin A2 in particular, helps the skin by promoting cell turnover and repair, which can enhance skin texture and tone. It also supports the production of collagen, improving skin elasticity and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
3. Immune System Support
The tea has been known to boost the immune system due to its antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Quercetin in chrysanthemum tea has immune-boosting properties that help the body fight off infections. So, regular consumption can help ward off common colds and other infections.
4. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
The tea has anti-inflammatory compounds that can help reduce inflammation in the body. This is beneficial for conditions like arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.
5. Rich in Antioxidants
Chrysanthemum tea is packed with antioxidants3 such as flavonoids and carotenoids, which help neutralize free radicals in the body. This can reduce oxidative stress and lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
Keep in mind that although these benefits are proven, they are based on a limited number of studies. Therefore wider, more intense research is needed to confirm the health benefits of chrysanthemum tea.
Chrysanthemim Iced Tea Recipe
Chrysantemum tea can be enjoyed hot or cold. Iced chrysanthemum tea is a perfect way to enjoy its cooling benefits, especially in hot weather. Here’s a simple recipe for making iced tea using dried chryanthemum flowers.
Ingredients
- Dried chrysanthemum flowers (available at Asian grocery stores or online)
- Water
- Honey or rock sugar (optional, for sweetness)
- Lemon slices or mint leaves (optional, for garnish)
Steps
1. Rinse the Flowers: Rinse a handful of dried chrysanthemum flowers under cold water to remove any dust or impurities.
2. Boil Water: Bring water to a boil and let it cool slightly to around 194°F( 90°C).
3. Steep the Tea: Place the rinsed chrysanthemum flowers in a teapot or a heat-resistant container. Pour the hot water over the flowers.
4. Steeping Time: Let the tea steep for 3-5 minutes. The longer you steep, the stronger the flavor will be.
5. Sweeten: Add honey or sugar to taste if you prefer a sweeter tea. Stir well to dissolve the sweetener. (Optional)
6. Cool the Tea: Allow the tea to cool to room temperature. You can speed up this process by placing the container in a bowl of ice water.
7. Refrigerate: When the tea is cool, pour it into a pitcher and refrigerate it for at least 1-2 hours until it is well chilled.
8. Serve: Pour chrysanthemum tea over ice cubes and serve. You can add a slice of lemon or a few mint leaves for an extra refreshing touch.
Bonus Tips
- Vary the flavor by mixing chrysanthemum tea with other herbal teas, such as green tea or white tea, for different flavor profiles.
- Adding a few goji berries during the steeping process can enhance the flavor and add additional health benefits.
- Brew a large batch and store it in the refrigerator so you have a refreshing drink ready whenever you need it.
Enjoy your iced chrysanthemum tea, and may it help you stay cool and refreshed!
Who Should Avoid Chrysanthemum
While chrysanthemum tea is generally safe for most people, there are a few precautions to consider:
- Allergies: Some individuals may be allergic to chrysanthemum flowers. If you have a known allergy to ragweed or other flowers in the daisy family, you may want to avoid this tea.
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult with a healthcare provider before consuming chrysanthemum tea.
- Interactions with Medications: Chrysanthemum tea can interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners and anti-inflammatory drugs. If you are taking any medication, consult your healthcare provider before adding chrysanthemum tea to your diet.
Conclusion
Chrysanthemum tea has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine. It is used for anything from cooling and hydrating the body to, clearing acne and improving eyesight.
In addition to its traditional uses, studies show that chrysanthemum tea may provide several health benefiits because of it rich antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
However, chrysanthemum tea may not be good for everyone. Some people may experience allergic reactions, while other could see drug interaction if they take certain medication.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women may also want to exercise caution with chrysanthemum tea as there is little information on how it may affect this group.
- Yuan, Hanwen et al. “The flower head of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. (Juhua): A paradigm of flowers serving as Chinese dietary herbal medicine.” Journal of ethnopharmacology vol. 261 (2020): 113043. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.113043 ↩︎
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-a/
↩︎ - Yang, Peng-Fei et al. “New Caffeoylquinic Acid Derivatives and Flavanone Glycoside from the Flowers of Chrysanthemum morifolium and Their Bioactivities.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 24,5 850. 28 Feb. 2019, doi:10.3390/molecules24050850
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