Chrysanthemum Tea

Also Known As: Chrysanthemum Tisane, Chrysanthemum morifolium, Chrysanthemum indicum, Chrysanthemum sinense, Chrysanthemum japonense

The chrysanthemum is a flowering plant that is much like a daisy. It is found in a large variety of colors, and grows throughout the world.

Chrysanthemum tea is believed to have originated in China and is native to many parts of East Asia.

There are several varieties used for tea, and generally those range in color from white to pale yellow in color.

Available as a beverage in many Asian restaurants, typically chrysanthemum tea is prepared at home or bought as an herbal supplement called a tisane.

What is chrysanthemum tea? This tea is typically made from the flower petals of the species Chrysanthemum morifolium or Chrysanthemum indicum.

This is not considered a true tea, but a "tisane" or herbal infusion. The tisane is made from dried chrysanthemum buds and, or, flowers.

White and yellow dried chrysanthemum can be purchased online, or is often found in Asian markets. They have a distinct taste based on color.

Chrysanthemum Tea Preparation

In a teapot, cup, or glass steep dried chrysanthemum flowers in hot water. (Bring water to a boil and then cool to 90 to 95 degrees Celsius before poring over dried chrysanthemum.)

The drink will be transparent, ranging in color from pale to bright yellow. It has a floral aroma and you can add rock sugar, or wolfberries to taste.

Home Remedies Using Chrysanthemum Tea

Benefits of Chrysanthemum Tea

Chinese traditional medicine utilized chrysanthemum tea to treat the eyes of blurring spots, for pain, eye stress, and diminished vision.

It was also used to detoxify the liver, treat dizziness, and relieve anger, stress and related emotions.

Today, chrysanthemum tea is used as a mild stimulant for alertness, and as a general detoxification. It is helpful in recovery from the flu, preventing sore throat pain, reducing fever, and to aid blood circulation.

It is believed to inhibit the growth of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus hemolyticus B, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella dysenteriae, tubercle bacillus and dermatomycosis.

Externally chrysanthemum tea may be used as a compress in the treatment of varicose veins, atherosclerosis, and other circulatory diseases.

It is beneficial to the skin, often used to both internally and externally to treat acne and other skin conditions because of its restorative and calming properties.

Chrysanthemum tea has been shown to contain choline, vitamin A, B1, glycosides, adenine, amino acids, flavonoid, volatile oil, etc.

Chrysanthemum is one of the components in PC-SPES, which has been used against prostate cancer in clinical trials.

Side Effects of Chrysanthemum Tea

Side effects of chrysanthemum tea generally have to do with an allergic reaction to the plant. Check for inflammation, itching, and the appearance of red patches.

Photosensitivity dermatitis may also result. This is a condition where the skin becomes highly sensitive when it get exposed to the sunlight.

Chrysanthemum tea may interact with insulin. If you take insulin avoid the use of this tea.

This tea also has sedative properties, and may have the potential to lower blood pressure. Do not take this tea if you are taking high blood pressure medications or sedatives as it may increase the medicinal effect of these drugs.

For the same reason, if you take anticancer, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory medicines, do not take this tea.

The safety of chrysanthemum tea has not been determined for pregnant and nursing women.