Ju Hua is a very variable, erect, perennial plant member in the family Asteraceae, growing to about 5 ft (1.5 m), with flower heads composed of yellow ray florets.
• Although primarily known as an ornamental, the plant is also commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine and sometimes as a food.
• It is occasionally grown as a food plant, a number of cultivars have been developed with leaves that are low in bitterness.
Plant Description
Chrysanthemum morifolium is a very variable, erect, perennial plant, growing 60-150 cm high.
It is mostly found growing in mild cool climates and prefers fertile, moist, well-drained slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter in full sun. Erect stems are pubescent and branched or unbranched. Leaves are alternate with small handle; leaf blade is ovate to lanceolate, 5-15cm long, pinnatifid or pinnatilobate along with cuneate base. Capitulum is 2.5-20cm in diameter and in various sizes. Single or a few capitulums gather on the top of the stems. Ray florets are yellow to variously colored (pink, white, Orange, Lavender, purple, red, rust, bronze, olive-green) in cultivars with entire or triserrate oblong ligules. Disc florets yellow to pale greenish-yellow with 5-toothed corolla tube. fruits of the plant is known as Cypsela which is obovoid, 1.5–2 mm, and light brown colored. Flowering time is from September to November. Chrysanthemum is native to China (mostly produced in Anhui, Zhejiang, Sichuan, Hebei, Henan, Shandong and other provinces) where its mostly cultivated, but there are some which are found in the wild.
Cultivation
The cultivated Chrysanthemum is commonly grown as an ornamental flowering plant.It grows successfully in the tropics (often grown in southeast Asia, although temperate in origin). Succeeds in most well-drained fertile soils in a sunny position. The Chrysanthemum is widely cultivated as an ornamental flowering plant. It is an enormous hybrid complex developed over many centuries into the huge array of ornamental cultivars available today. The primary parental species is Chrysanthemum indicum, but the other parents are now obscure. The plant can flower all year round in warmer gardens.
History
Types & Varieties
Mechanism of Action
Additional Information
Key Actions
The flowers are:
• Anti-bacterial,
• Anti-fungal,
• Anti-Inflammatory,
• Antiphlogistic,
• Antipyretic,
• Aromatic,
• Carminative,
• Demulcent,
• Depurative,
• Detoxifying,
• Diaphoretic,
• Febrifuge,
• Hepatic,
• Hypotensive,
• Ophthalmic,
• Refrigerant,
• Sedative,
• Increases Sweating,
• Anti-septic,
• Lowers blood pressure,
• Cooling,
• Reduces Fever,
Usable Parts
flower, flower heads
The flowers are harvested when fully open in the autumn and are dried for later use.
In China they are Steamed before being dried to make them less bitter.
Flower heads are gathered in late autumn.
In China, they are Steamed before drying to reduce bitterness.
Directions of Preparation
• Infusion of flower heads – For tension Headaches, drink 3/4 cup (150 ml) at hourly intervals.
• Poultice – For Eye strain, steep flower heads in hot water for 10 minutes and place them on closed Eyes.
• Powdered leaves – For Acne, mix 1 tsp with 2–3 tsp water and apply to pimples.
• Poultice of fresh leaves – For boils and pimples, apply directly to the Skin.
• Tea/Infusion – 0.2 ounces (about 5g) dried Chrysanthemum tea. 3 cups water, but you can steep multiple times until the flowers lose their flavour. Place in tea in a teabag (or tea Strainer of your choice). Boil 3 cups of water, and pour over the tea. Let steep for 3-5 minutes and serve.
Recommended Dosage
Its Active Constituents:
• Ju Hua contain:
• Alkaloids (including stachydrine),
• Volatile oil,
• Sesquiterpene lactones,
• Flavonoids (including apigenin),
• Betaine,
• Choline,
• Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid),
• Minerals (Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium),
• B-complex Vitamins (Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3),
• Fiber,
• Folacin,
Precaution:
* It may cause contact dermatitis (red, itchy Patches of Skin characterize this condition) in some people.
* People who are responsive to allergens might have allergic reactions to Chrysanthemum.
* People allergic to flowers from the Daisy family should avoid Chrysanthemums, since they may mild reactions like Skin rash and serious reactions (like Hives or Asthma).
* People suffering from Skin sensitivity may also experience photosensitivity if their Skin is First exposed to Chrysanthemum and then to ultraviolet light.
* It may encourage insulin sensitivity in people suffering from non-insulin dependent Diabetes Mellitus, thus patients taking insulin should refrain using any Chrysanthemum products.
* It contain pyrethrins (Poisonous chemicals which may cause problems like Eye damage, Poisoning, and inflammation of the central Nervous System), because of prolonged exposure to the products.
Health Benefits of Ju Hua
Cardiovascular System
• Ju Hua is a valuable remedy for High Blood Pressure as it effectively lower blood pressure and relieving associated symptoms (such as Headaches, Dizziness, Tinnitus and Insomnia).
• Chrysanthemum tea is used for treating the symptoms related with the changes in blood pressure (including Dizziness, Tinnitus and Headaches), and several cardiac problems (like angina). It has proven to be helpful in the treatment of angina.
• Hypertension (abnormal blood pressure level) can also be treated with the herbal tonics which include Chrysanthemum.
• Ju Hua tea can naturally brings down the levels of bad (LDL) Cholesterol in the body and increase the good (HDL) Cholesterol in the body.
Foods & Cardiovascular System
Circulatory System
• Ju Hua flower heads tea taken internally dilates the coronary artery, thus increasing the flow of blood to The Heart, thus useful in the treatment of Hypertension, coronary heart diseases and angina.
• Regular consumption of tea is beneficial in blood cleansing (purifying of blood or remove toxins from the blood).
• Ju Hua flowers, Cinnamon, Ginseng, and Raw Honey suckle are mixed together and they provide body with warmth and creates a kind of balance in the body.
Foods & Circulatory System
Digestive System
• Ju Hua flowers and leaves decoction is useful for stomachache and as an enema.
Foods & Digestive System
Eye
• Ju Hua flower heads tea is a refreshing tisane useful to the improvement vision, soothe sore Eyes, relieve Headaches, counter Infections etc.
• Ju Hua tea improves the sharpness of vision and considered as one of the best methods to cure various Eye problems.
• Its quite beneficial for different Eye problems (such as itching, loss of vision, tired Eyes or redness of the Eyes, blurriness of vision, watering of Eyes, Cataract disease and spotty vision).
• Its popular as a relaxing infusion.
• Its infused flower heads are popular as a remedy to improve eyesight and for red, sore Eyes, especially after long periods of close work (such as reading or working at a computer).
• Its warm flower heads are placed on closed Eyes and then replaced when cool.
• To get rid of tired Eyes, Drink Ju Hua tea or apply it on your Eyes (by sprinkling it into the Eyes directly).
Foods & Eye
Immune System
• Ju Hua have an Anti-Biotic effect against a range of pathogens and some of its Flavonoids are found to have Anti-HIV activity.
• Ju Hua tea is a rich source of folacin and Choline (quite beneficial for development and multiplying of the cells).
Foods & Immune System
Infections
• Ju Hua is used to counter Infections (such as Colds and Colds (Flu)).
• It has amazing Anti-Inflammatory qualities that is beneficial in the treatment of inflammation/swelling (due to bee stings, broken muscles and allergic reactions).
• Its infusion is used to counter Infection, to detoxify the body and to relieve mild Fevers and tension Headaches.
Foods & Infections
Metabolism
• Ju Hua Choline content is also helpful in the Metabolism of fats within the body and the normal functioning of gastrointestinal route.
Foods & Metabolism
Skin Health
• Its fresh leaves anti-septic poultice is beneficial to Skin complaints (such as Acne, pimples, boils, and sores).
• Ju Hua tea acts as a coolant and helps in dealing minor rashes on the Skin (caused by heat, chemical imbalances in the body, etc.)
Foods & Skin Health
