Chrysanthemum Flower
- Chinese
- 菊花
- Pinyin
- Ju Hua
- Latin
- Flos Chrysanthemi Morifolii
Known in TCM as Ju Hua (菊花), this sweet and bitter, cool herb enters the Liver and Lung. Traditionally, it disperses wind-heat; relieves exterior patterns with fever, headache, and sore throat, most often applied for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and conjunctivitis. Modern research has identified Luteolin among its active constituents.
Part used: Flower
Also Known As
Latin: Flos Chrysanthemi Morifolii | Pinyin: Ju Hua | Chinese: 菊花
TCM Properties
- Taste
- sweet, bitter
- Temperature
- cool
- Channels
- Liver, Lung
Traditional Use
Primary Actions
- Disperses wind-heat; relieves exterior patterns with fever, headache, and sore throat
- Clears Liver heat and brightens the eyes; treats redness, pain, dryness, and blurred vision
- Calms Liver Yang rising; treats headache and dizziness from Liver Yang excess
Secondary Actions
- Clears heat and resolves toxicity for sores and carbuncles
- Extinguishes Liver Wind when combined with other wind-calming herbs
Classic Formulas
- Sang Ju Yin (桑菊饮) … Mulberry Leaf and Chrysanthemum Decoction; for early-stage wind-heat with cough
- Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang (羚角钩藤汤) … Antelope Horn and Uncaria Decoction; for Liver Wind and high fever
- Qi Ju Di Huang Wan (杞菊地黄丸) … Lycium, Chrysanthemum and Rehmannia Pill; for Liver and Kidney yin deficiency with visual disturbance
Classical References
- Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Husbandman's Classic of the Materia Medica) … earliest recorded use; classified as superior grade
- Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica, Li Shizhen, 1578) … detailed actions for eye conditions and wind patterns
- Wen Bing Tiao Bian (Systematic Differentiation of Warm Diseases, Wu Jutong, 1798) … foundational reference for Sang Ju Yin formula
Modern Research
Active Compounds
- Luteolin
- Luteolin-7-O-glucoside (luteoloside)
- Chlorogenic acid
- Isochlorogenic acid A and C
- Apigenin-7-O-glucoside
- Acacetin
- Quercetin
Studied Effects
- Hypolipidemic … reduces total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-C; increases HDL-C (PMID 34439559)
- Antioxidant … significant free-radical scavenging activity via flavonoid and phenolic acid content
- Anti-inflammatory … luteolin inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines
- Hepatoprotective … improves liver enzyme markers (AST, ALT, ALP) in hyperlipidemia models
- Antibacterial … polyphenols exhibit activity against common pathogens (PMID 33746281)
- Antihypertensive … vasodilatory effects observed in preclinical models
PubMed References
- Hypolipidemic Effects and Preliminary Mechanism of Chrysanthemum Flavonoids, Its Main Components Luteolin and Luteoloside in Hyperlipidemia Rats (2021)
- Variation in bioactive compounds, antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Iranian Chrysanthemum morifolium cultivars and determination of major polyphenolic compounds based on HPLC analysis (2021)
- Cytotoxic activity of flavonoids from the flowers of Chrysanthemum morifolium on human colon cancer Colon205 cells (2010)
Safety & Interactions
Contraindications
- Ragweed or Asteraceae family allergy … cross-reactivity risk
- Patients on immunosuppressive drugs … documented case of toxic drug levels in kidney transplant recipient consuming chrysanthemum tea (MSK)
Cautions
- Use with caution in qi deficiency, chronic diarrhea, or poor appetite … cool nature may aggravate cold patterns
- May cause contact dermatitis or photosensitivity with topical or prolonged exposure
- Large doses may cause dizziness in sensitive individuals
Drug Interactions
- CYP3A4 substrates (immunosuppressants, certain statins, calcium channel blockers) … Chrysanthemum extracts can both induce and inhibit CYP3A4 activity, potentially altering drug blood levels (Moderate) Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering Integrative Medicine … Chrysanthemum
- P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrates … Chrysanthemum inhibits P-gp efflux transporter, increasing intracellular concentrations of substrate drugs (Moderate) Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering Integrative Medicine … Chrysanthemum
Conditions
- Hypertension Preclinical ★★☆☆☆ JSON
- Hyperlipidemia Research ★★★☆☆ JSON
- Conjunctivitis Traditional ★★★★☆ JSON
- Migraine Traditional ★★★☆☆ JSON
- Common Cold Traditional ★★★★☆ JSON
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chrysanthemum Flower used for?
Chrysanthemum Flower is traditionally used to Disperses wind-heat; relieves exterior patterns with fever, headache, and sore throat, Clears Liver heat and brightens the eyes; treats redness, pain, dryness, and blurred vision, Calms Liver Yang rising; treats headache and dizziness from Liver Yang excess. Research has investigated its effects on: Hypolipidemic … reduces total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-C; increases HDL-C (PMID 34439559); Antioxidant … significant free-radical scavenging activity via flavonoid and phenolic acid content.
What are other names for Chrysanthemum Flower?
Chrysanthemum Flower is also known as Chrysanthemi. In TCM: 菊花 (Ju Hua); Flos Chrysanthemi Morifolii.
Is Chrysanthemum Flower safe during pregnancy?
The safety of Chrysanthemum Flower during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.
What are the contraindications for Chrysanthemum Flower?
Chrysanthemum Flower should not be used in: Ragweed or Asteraceae family allergy … cross-reactivity risk; Patients on immunosuppressive drugs … documented case of toxic drug levels in kidney transplant recipient consuming chrysanthemum tea (MSK). Consult a qualified practitioner before use.
Does Chrysanthemum Flower interact with any medications?
Chrysanthemum Flower may interact with: CYP3A4 substrates (immunosuppressants, certain statins, calcium channel blockers) - Chrysanthemum extracts can both induce and inhibit CYP3A4 activity, potentially altering drug blood levels - (Moderate severity); P-glycoprotein (P-gp) substrates - Chrysanthemum inhibits P-gp efflux transporter, increasing intracellular concentrations of substrate drugs - (Moderate severity). Always inform your healthcare provider of any herbal supplements you are taking.