10 Health Benefits Of Chrysanthemum Tea
Chrysanthemums are a type of daisy that were originally native to Japan and China.
They’re a colorful sight in gardens across the world these days, but they don’t just look pretty. These flowers have surprising health benefits, too.
Traditional Chinese medicine has used chrysanthemums to treat mental and physical health problems for thousands of years, associating the flower primarily with the lung and liver meridians and prescribing it for “coolness.”
Modern-day researchers are studying the flower’s health properties because it’s so popular in alternative medicine, but here are some of the chrysanthemum tea benefits we already know about.
10 Health Benefits of Chrysanthemum Tea
1. It’s a Potent Vitamin and Mineral Boost
Chrysanthemum tea is full of vitamins, with especially high levels of vitamin A, the B spectrum, and C. This host of vitamins boost your immune system and keeps you functioning in tip-top health.
Chrysanthemum tea also contains plenty of minerals, such as iron to help prevent anemia, zinc to fight bacteria, magnesium to ensure healthy muscle function, and calcium for strong bones.
RELATED: Would You Recognize the Warning Signs of a Weak Immune System?
2. It’s Caffeine-Free
Both tea and coffee contain caffeine, and they’re when consumed in large amounts, it can cause the jitters, insomnia, and anxiety. Chrysanthemum tea is a warm, soothing drink that’s totally caffeine-free.
3. It Reduces Inflammation
Chrysanthemum studies have shown it can reduce inflammation.
Inflammation is thought to be responsible for a host of modern-day illnesses, from arthritis to skin problems like acne.
Researchers believe the flower has a natural cooling effect that reduces heat and the associated inflammation that can damage your body.
4. It’s Antibacterial
Studies indicate that just like many other flowers and herbs, chrysanthemums have an antibacterial effect.
Chrysanthemums are especially effective at reducing streptococcus—the type of bacteria that causes strep throat—and staphylococcus infections, which mostly affect the skin.
5. Detoxing
Traditional Chinese medicine recommends chrysanthemum tea as a gentle way to detox the liver and kidneys by cooling down any excess heat. This balances the body’s energy and promotes good all-over health.
The antibacterial properties may also help remove bacteria and toxins and flush out your system. If you’re planning a detox, drinking chrysanthemum tea instead of caffeine-based drinks is a good bet.
RELATED: How to Detox Like a Pro: The Best Natural Detox Bath Recipes
6. It May Improve Cardiovascular Health
Initial studies show that chrysanthemums may increase blood flow, heal capillaries, and reduce the symptoms associated with high blood pressure, including insomnia, headaches, and dizziness.
More studies are needed, but initial indications suggest that chrysanthemums can also treat chest pain and angina created by heart disease.
7. Improved Oral Health
The antibiotic effect of chrysanthemum tea can make a big difference to your oral health.
Instead of drinking sugary coffees that destroy your teeth and fill the environment with plastic lids and straws, you could drink pure chrysanthemum tea straight from the cup. It promotes healthy gums by reducing the number of bacteria that stick there.
This can lead to fresher breath and whiter teeth—not to mention less plastic waste.
8. De-stress
The floral stress-relieving scent of chrysanthemum tea alone is enough to relax nerves, but research shows it contains the flavonoid apigenin that’s also found in chamomile.
Apigenin has anti-anxiety benefits that soothe your stress response and help beat insomnia. Try swapping out your evening coffee for this golden brew.
9. It Improves Eye Health
Chrysanthemum tea is full of vitamin A, which is an essential vitamin for good eye health because it keeps corneas functioning well. A lack of vitamin A can lead to lens thickening and cataracts.
Chrysanthemum tea may also help with dry eyes and itchiness—and anecdotal evidence suggests that it may clear floaters in your vision.
RELATED: The 6 Best Foods for Eye Health
10. It Aids Digestion
The cool, crisp notes of this golden tea soothe indigestion and other stomach upsets, including those brought about by overindulging in alcohol.
In the East, it’s drunk regularly after heavy meals to prevent bloating and relieve trapped wind. Much like peppermint and chamomile, it can ease nausea, which makes it a soothing drink to sip after bouts of vomiting or stomach flu.
Pop some in your medicine cabinet to be ready for the next time you feel unwell.
Are There Any Other Chrysanthemum Tea Benefits?
Chrysanthemum is potent enough to attract researchers intent on uncovering its hidden benefits.
Current studies are looking into whether it can help control type 2 diabetes, prevent osteoporosis, and disrupt cancer cells.
Who Can Drink Chrysanthemum Tea?
To make this floral tea, you need to steep dried flowers in hot water for five minutes. It has a light floral taste and a delicate golden color that’s satisfying and soothing.
It’s caffeine-free and gentle enough for most people to enjoy, but if you have an allergy to daisies or ragweed, you should avoid chrysanthemum, as they are related.
Chrysanthemum tea can also make skin sensitive to sunlight, so use sunblock and wear a hat if you drink it regularly just to stay on the safe side.
Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should speak to their doctors about drinking chrysanthemum tea in large amounts because although it’s caffeine-free, few tests have looked into its effects on unborn babies and newborns.
There’s no concrete evidence that chrysanthemum tea can interact with prescription medicines either, but speak to your doctor first if you take regular medication, as some natural supplements can cause unwanted interactions.
Let’s Drink to Chrysanthemum Tea
If you’d like to indulge in a healthy, disease-fighting chrysanthemum tea, it could improve your health, not to mention helping you cut down on caffeine-filled hot drinks.
Stick with no more than two or three cups a day and enjoy that delicious, healthy tea with your feet up. You’ll feel better in no time.
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Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-904/chrysanthemum
https://www.livestrong.com/article/461896-chrysanthemum-tea-benefits/
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/how-chrysanthemum-tea-benefits-health
