PULSE Your Tea Series: Chrysanthemum Tea

Chrysanthemum Teas are what we would usually be told to drink when you feel like you are getting heaty (上火). For example, when you feel an oncoming sore throat, dry mouth, acne outbreak or when your eyes feel tired and sore. However, there are many kinds of chrysanthemum flowers out there in the market and you might be confused as to which type of chrysanthemum flower is best for your symptoms.

The different types of chrysanthemum flowers are all able to expel wind heat, clear heat, and to brighten the eyes. However, different flowers are more suited for different types of functions. Fret not, because in this article, we will be sharing what types of Chrysanthemum flowers are out there and which should be used for different situations.

Types of Chrysanthemums

White Chrysanthemum (白菊花, Bai Ju Hua)

• Flowers are pale yellow in colour.
• It is more suitable to clear the liver and brighten eyes (清肝明目). It is especially useful for people who work long hours. This strain on their eyes often results in dry and tired eyes.

Some combinations of herbs to try:

Ingredients

• White Chrysanthemum Flowers (白菊花, Bai Ju Hua) 10g
• Wolfberries (枸杞, Gou Qi) 10g

Instructions

1. Put ingredients in a cup, pour boiling water over them.
2. Let it steep for 10 minutes before consumption.

Suitable to take once every two-three days.

Yellow Chrysanthemum (黄菊花, Huang Ju Hua)

• Flowers are yellow in colour.
• More suitable to dispel Wind-Heat. Usually used for people with Wind Heat type of cold. Symptoms seen are: Fever, cough, sore throat, headaches.

Some combinations of herbs to try:

Disclaimer: Please note that this tea is not meant for long-term consumption. It is only meant to help relieve the symptoms of Wind Heat flu. As the tea is cooling in nature, it is not suitable for individuals who feel cold easily or have digestive issues.

Note: Contraindicated in pregnant women.

Ingredients

• Yellow Chrysanthemum flowers (黄菊花, Huang Ju Hua) 8g
• Japanese Honeysuckle (金银花, Jin Yin Hua) 6g
• Mint (薄荷, Bo He) 3g
• Malva Nut (胖大海, Pang Da Hai) 6g
• Licorice (甘草, Gan Cao) 2-3 pieces

Instructions

1. Soak the Malva Nuts in hot water until it has expanded fully.
2. Remove the seed and outer layer of the Malva Nuts.
3. Add all the ingredients into a cup and pour boiling water over it.
4. Let it steep for 10-15 minutes before consumption.

Wild Chrysanthemum (野菊花, Ye Ju Hua)

• The size of the flower is smaller and is dark yellow / brownish in colour.
• It is usually more bitter and more cooling in nature. It has the strongest clearing heat (清热解毒) function out of all the flowers. Hence, wild chrysanthemum flowers are usually taken when the person has acne or ulcers etc.
• Usually used by TCM physicians. As its properties are more potent, it is advisable not to use it at home.

When to drink?

1. Chrysanthemum teas are usually used as a preventative measure. For example, after spending a long day in the sun, you could take Yellow Chrysanthemum flower teas to prevent yourself from having a heaty body constitution. Or perhaps, after long hours of working, you could take some white chrysanthemum flower tea to prevent dry eyes and to brighten up your vision. 
2. As Chrysanthemum flowers are cooling in nature, it is not advisable to drink in large quantities for extended periods of time. You can drink Chrysanthemum 2 times a week. Or you can take them every day for 3-5 days and stop it completely, until the next time you drink it.
3. For illnesses like fever or flu, drinking Chrysanthemum tea itself would not treat the illness. It might help relieve some of the symptoms like sore throat, cough or fever but it does not treat the root of the illness. Seeking medical help from a TCM physician is still most important.

Who to drink?

It is advisable to know your body constitution before drinking these teas. Whether you are of a heaty body constitution or a cooling body constitution. Please refer to this article for more details.

1. Chrysanthemum teas are more suitable for people with a heaty body constitution. Symptoms seen are: Dry mouth and throat, constipation, red in the face, acne etc.
2. It is not suitable for people with a cool body constitution, as the Chrysanthemum flowers itself are cooling in nature. It would not rectify the body constitution of someone with a cool body constitution. 
3. As Chrysanthemum flowers are cooling in nature, individuals who have a weak digestive system are not advised to drink Chrysanthemum teas as well. 
4. Pregnant ladies should avoid drinking Chrysanthemum teas. 

While chrysanthemum tea is effective at easing the symptoms that arise, we cannot rely on it to treat the illness. We recommend consulting a TCM physician if these symptoms do not subside after a few days.

Note: Information provided is not a substitute for a physician or any form of medical care. Individual symptoms differ due to different body constitutions and diagnosis. One should consult a licensed TCM practitioner for accurate diagnosis and treatment.