Top 12 Health Benefits of Chrysanthemum Tea

Chrysanthemum tea is considered one of the oldest herbal teas in history, and it’s commonly consumed in many Asian countries as a traditional drink.

This tea is rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various conditions, including lowering blood pressure, dispelling pathogenic heat, improving eyesight, and boosting liver health.

This fragrant tea is made from the dried flowers of the chrysanthemum plant and has a light, floral flavor with a subtle sweetness and a hint of grassy notes. Often, the tea is described as having a delicate, refreshing taste and a slightly sweet aroma. Conversely, some varieties of chrysanthemum tea may have a somewhat bitter or astringent taste.

Nonetheless, any variety can play an essential role in boosting your health and well-being. Let’s explore more on the incredible health benefits of chrysanthemum tea that are backed by science.

What is Chrysanthemum?

The chrysanthemum, also known as mums for short form, is a popular fall garden flower found worldwide. It belongs to a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. They are native to northeastern Europe and East Asia but are today cultivated in different parts of the world.

It’s a common plant in most homes and gardens, often used to add beauty and color.

Generally, chrysanthemums come in various colors, ranging from yellow, red, purple, and white.

Aside from being used for tea, chrysanthemums hold a high rank as a decorative plant and natural pest control remedy. It’s also an excellent ingredient in several culinary uses.

The Main Nutrients in Chrysanthemum Tea

Generally, chrysanthemum tea contains the following nutrients

Vitamins

Potassium
Manganese
Copper
Zinc

Vitamins

Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Folate
Vitamin B6
Riboflavin

Antioxidants

Anthocyanins
Linarin
Chlorogenic acid
Acacetin glucoside
Luteolin
Quercetin
Beta carotene

Health Benefits of Chrysanthemum Tea

Notably, boiling Chrysanthemums is essential to release their nutrients. However, avoid boiling them for too long. Chrysanthemum tea can provide the following benefits.

1. It can manage anxiety

Anxiety is an intense feeling of fear, worry, and unease that varies from mild to severe. It can make you sweat, tense, and feel restless. It may also cause a rapid heart rate and, in severe cases, make it difficult to go through your day-to-day activities.

Drinking mums tea whenever you feel tensed and anxious can help relieve anxiety. This is due to the high levels of chlorogenic acid, a polyphenol antioxidant that can help reduce oxidative stress on the brain.

While there are minimal human studies on this topic, lab studies have shown promising results.

One Study on mice has shown that chlorogenic acid has anxiety-reducing effects on the nervous system.

Nonetheless, a human study done on patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-like symptoms found that chlorogenic acid could improve learning, memory, cognitive abilities, and depression. All of which resulted in reduced anxiety levels.

Moreover, people often consume Chrysanthemum tea during hot months to cool down and rehydrate. Studies have shown that the tea’s cooling and anti-inflammatory properties can promote relaxation and help treat insomnia and anxiety. This calming effect is why Chrysanthemum tea is a commonly used ingredient in Chinese nighttime tea recipes.

2. Promotes healthy heart function

A healthy heart can efficiently pump blood and deliver oxygen and nutrients to various parts of the body. This reduces stress on the heart muscles and keeps the blood pressure within normal range.

Chrysanthemum is rich in potassium, one of the most important minerals in regulating heart functions. Potassium works by easing the tension in your blood vessel walls. It also lowers sodium in the body. Sodium is an important mineral for maintaining fluid and blood volume. However, too much sodium can increase tension in the heart and blood vessels leading to increased blood pressure.

Generally, Studies have shown that increasing potassium intake may lower blood pressure, especially in people with hypertension. Furthermore, another study

fond that adequate potassium intake can reduce the risk of stroke by 24%.

As a result, drinking Chrysanthemum tea may help to manage hypertension and reduce the risk of heart disease.

3. Has anti-inflammatory properties

Inflammation is the process by which the immune system sends immune cells to fight bacteria or heal an injury. As beneficial as it is, chronic inflammation can only be helpful when it occurs within a limited time. Too much inflammation may turn destructive, as it’s the root cause of most chronic conditions like arthritis, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Drinking mums tea, however, can help lower inflammatory markers in the body, thus lowering your risk o these conditions.

For one, Chrysanthemum flowers contain flavonoids and phenolic acids, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

In addition, these flowers contain Vitamin C, which has anti-inflammatory properties and helps boost immunity. Furthermore, research has demonstrated that patients who regularly consume foods high in Vitamin C have shown fewer signs of inflammatory responses.

4. May help reduce the risk of cancer

Research suggests that chrysanthemum extracts may protect against colon and prostate cancer by causing the death of tumor cells in a process known as apoptosis. This is due to the anticancer compounds in this flower.

The flower is also a good source of antioxidants, including anthocyanin, which helps neutralize free radicals in the body. Free radicals can damage the cells, causing mutations that may lead to cancer development.

Moreover, the flowers contain Vitamin C, another powerful vitamin antioxidant that also aids in neutralizing free radicals.

5. It’s rich in vitamin A

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin and an important nutrient for the human body. In the eyes, vitamin A helps your eyes adjust to light changes, prevent night blindness and retain moisture.

On the skin, it promotes collagen production which improves skin elasticity and integrity. On the mucous membrane, vitamin A maintains a protective mucosal barrier that prevents pathogens from invading the body.

6. Promotes neurological functions

Chrysanthemum tea is a rich source of nutrients such as Vitamin B6 and Folate. Vitamin B6 plays a crucial role in maintaining brain and cognitive functions. Additionally, the nutrient promotes the production of red blood cells, which helps improve oxygen delivery to the brain.

Conversely, folate has been shown to lower inflammation in the brain and reduce homocysteine in the blood.

In one study, researchers from Japan found that folate supplementation could improve cognitive functions. In the study, patients with folate deficiency were put on a folate supplement, and after two months, they recorded a significant improvement in their Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) score from a baseline of 20.1 to 22.2. MMSE is a questionnaire used in research and clinical setting to measure cognitive impairment.

7. Helps in maintaining bone health

The flavonoids in the chrysanthemum can help to protect bones from damage caused by free radicals.

Additionally, the tea includes compounds like quercetin and apigenin. Research shows that these nutrients have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help prevent the development of osteoporosis and other bone-related conditions.

Moreover, drinking chrysanthemum tea promotes the absorption of calcium, which is crucial for strong bones. The tea also contains minerals such as manganese that are vital for bone health.

Therefore, drinking chrysanthemum tea regularly is beneficial for maintaining excellent bone health and can be considered as a possible adjunct therapy to prevent bone loss.

8. May Help Reduce PMS Symptoms

Vitamin B6 and magnesium in chrysanthemum tea are essential in regulating mood swings and other symptoms related to premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Additionally, research has shown that combining Vitamin B6 and magnesium relieves PMS symptoms effectively, unlike using magnesium alone.

Moreover, another study has also suggested that supplementing magnesium can effectively treat the painful symptoms of PMS. This is because magnesium works by relaxing the smooth muscles of the uterus. It also reduces certain pain-causing hormone-like substances known as prostaglandins.

9. Promotes Skincare

Their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may help protect the skin against free radical damage.

Quercetin, for example, can reduce the harmful effects of UV radiation and reduce redness and itchiness associated with inflamed skin. It also has a restorative effect that can promote the healing and repair of damaged or irritated skin. Additionally, quercetin restores the skin barrier and reduces water loss, thus increasing hydration levels in the skin.

As such, drinking Chrysanthemum tea improves the body’s overall health, which can positively affect the skin’s appearance.

10. An excellent hangover remedy

Chrysanthemum tea has traditionally been used in Chinese medicine to alleviate hangover symptoms. Notably, among the essential active compounds in chrysanthemum tea is quercetin. Research has shown that quercetin is beneficial in reducing hangover symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and fatigue. Additionally, the tea may help detoxify the liver and improve its function.

Studies have also shown that the liver plays a crucial role in metabolizing alcohol, and a hangover is often caused by the liver’s inability to process the alcohol quickly enough. As such, drinking Chrysanthemum tea may help alleviate the hangover’s symptoms, duration, and severity.

11. Improves vision

The chrysanthemum flower is a rich source of carotenoids, an antioxidant that can help protect the eyes from damage caused by free radicals. Additionally, studies have shown that carotenoids can help to prevent the development of cataracts and macular degeneration, which are common age-related eye conditions.

Research also proposes that flavonoids in chrysanthemum tea improve blood circulation to the eyes, which can help nourish the eyes and keep them healthy.

Furthermore, chrysanthemum tea is a rich source of terpenoids. Studies have proved that terpenoids are essential in reducing inflammation and redness in the eyes and relieving dry eye symptoms.

Also, drinking this tea regularly can help prevent strain and fatigue of the eyes. This makes the tea an excellent choice for people, especially those spending lots of time in front of screens or working on a computer.

12. It can boost the immune system

The immune system is the largest network of white blood cells, proteins, organs, and certain chemicals, working together to protect you from bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

Chrysanthemum tea contains high amounts of vitamins A and C, both of which can fight pathogens and maintain a healthy body.

How to Make Chrysanthemum Tea at Home

To make Chrysanthemum tea, you will need dried Chrysanthemum leaves, a strainer or filter, 3 cups of water, and honey or a natural sweetener (optional) to taste.

Instructions:

Boil water and let it sit for a minute
For every cup of water, you’ll need 3-6 whole flowers
Place the leaves in a teapot and pour in the water
Cover and let it steep for 5 minutes or until the water turns color
Strain the leaves and enjoy

Caution and side effects

Chrysanthemum tea is generally safe to consume. However, it may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Common symptoms include swelling, itching, and redness. This is especially common in those with asters or daisies allergies. So if you experience any of this after taking the tea, it’s good to avoid it.

Chrysanthemums should also be avoided by those taking blood pressure medications. This is because the tea contains compounds that lower blood pressure, so taking blood pressure-lowering medication simultaneously can cause the blood pressure to fall severely.

The tea also contains anti-inflammatory, anti-pain, and antibacterial properties, so any medication used for the same is likely to interact with the tea.

Additionally, there’s limited research on its use for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. So, if you’re a new mom or looking forward, avoid mums for now.

Where to buy Chrysanthemum for your tea

Generally, chrysanthemum tea is found in the herbal tea section of grocery and health food stores and is sometimes available canned or bottled. To ensure that you get the most out of your tea, choosing an unsweetened, natural product is best.

Also, when purchasing Chrysanthemum in tea bags, check the product’s nutritional information since some versions may contain chrysanthemum flavoring and added sugar. This can increase the calorie and sugar content and may not provide the same benefits as drinking natural unsweetened Chrysanthemum tea. If you can, always go for the loose-packed flowers.

Final Thoughts

Chrysanthemum tea is an aromatic herbal beverage made from dried flowers of the Chrysanthemum plant.

Various studies show that the natural compounds in the flowers can boost good health, including fighting inflammation, promoting heart health, fighting cancer, and boosting eye health.

If using tea bags, ensure they are pure without any added flavorings, sugar, or sweetener. So always read your packaging. Otherwise, getting loose leaves is always best.

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