Herb Flower (花 huā)

Ju Hua

Chrysanthemum flower · 菊花

Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. · Chrysanthemi Flos

Also known as: Chrysanthemum

Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum flower) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Chrysanthemum flower is one of the most familiar herbs in Chinese medicine and a beloved everyday tea. It is best known for supporting eye health, easing headaches and dizziness, and helping the body recover from colds with fever. It has a gently cooling nature, making it especially useful when there are signs of excess heat in the head, eyes, or Liver system.

Category Cool, acrid herbs that release the Exterior (辛凉解表药)
Therapeutic focus Eye Health and Vision Headache and Dizziness Relief Blood Pressure Support Immune Support

TCM Properties

Temperature

Slightly Cool

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān), Bitter (苦 kǔ)

Channels entered

Lungs, Liver

Parts used

Flower (花 huā)

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Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment

What This Herb Does

Every herb has a specific set of actions — here's what Ju Hua does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Ju Hua is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Eye Health and Vision Headache and Dizziness Relief Blood Pressure Support Immune Support

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Ju Hua performs to restore balance in the body:

Disperses Wind-Heat Calms the Liver and Subdues Yang Clears Liver Heat and Brightens the Eyes Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity

How these actions work

'Disperses Wind-Heat' means Jú Huā helps the body expel external Wind-Heat, the kind of pathogenic influence associated with early-stage fevers, slight chills, headaches, and sore throats. This is why it appears in classic formulas for the initial stages of warm-febrile illness and common colds with heat signs. Its dispersing action is relatively gentle compared to stronger Wind-Heat herbs like Bò Hé (mint), so it is often paired with Sāng Yè (mulberry leaf) to strengthen this effect.

'Calms the Liver and subdues Liver Yang' refers to Jú Huā's ability to settle excessive upward movement of Liver Yang, a TCM concept describing a pattern where rising force in the body causes dizziness, headaches, irritability, and a sensation of pressure in the head. This action makes it a key herb for hypertension-related dizziness when the underlying pattern involves Liver Yang rising. It is often combined with minerals like Zhēn Zhū Mǔ (mother of pearl) or Shí Jué Míng (abalone shell) for this purpose.

'Clears the Liver and brightens the eyes' is one of Jú Huā's most celebrated actions. Because the Liver 'opens to the eyes' in TCM theory, Liver Heat or Liver Blood deficiency can both cause eye problems. Jú Huā addresses both sides: it clears Liver Fire causing red, swollen, painful eyes, and when combined with Liver-nourishing herbs like Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ (goji berry), it also helps with blurry vision and dry eyes from Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency.

'Clears Heat and resolves toxins' means Jú Huā can address Heat-toxin conditions such as boils, abscesses, and skin infections. For this purpose, it is often combined with Jīn Yín Huā (honeysuckle) and Gān Cǎo (licorice). This action is more prominent in the yellow variety of chrysanthemum, while the white variety is preferred for eye conditions.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Ju Hua is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Ju Hua addresses this pattern

Jú Huā is sweet, bitter, and slightly cool, and enters the Lung channel, making it well suited to disperse Wind-Heat from the exterior. Its bitter flavour descends and clears Heat, while its light, floral quality lifts to the head and upper body where Wind-Heat lodges. In the early stages of Wind-Heat invasion, pathogenic heat combines with Wind to attack the Lung's defensive layer, producing fever, headache, and sore throat. Jú Huā gently releases this exterior Heat and clears the head, working synergistically with Sāng Yè (mulberry leaf) in the classic formula Sāng Jú Yǐn.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Headaches

Headache due to external Wind-Heat

Fever

Low-grade fever with slight chills

Sore Throat

Sore, dry throat

Hypochondrial Pain That Is Worse On Coughing And Breathing

Mild cough with slight thirst

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Ju Hua is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

Arises from: Liver Yang Rising

TCM Interpretation

TCM commonly interprets hypertension with dizziness, headache, irritability, and a red face as a pattern of Liver Yang rising. The underlying mechanism typically involves Liver and Kidney Yin failing to anchor Liver Yang, which then flares upward to the head. Over time, prolonged emotional stress, overwork, or constitutional Yin deficiency can deplete the Liver and Kidney Yin that normally keeps Yang in check. The result is excessive Yang activity in the upper body, producing the characteristic symptoms of pounding headache, flushed face, and dizziness.

Why Ju Hua Helps

Jú Huā enters the Liver channel and has a cool, descending nature that directly counters the upward surge of Liver Yang. Its bitter flavour drains excess Liver heat, while its sweet flavour gently nourishes without being cloying. Classical sources note that unlike most flowers which disperse upward, Jú Huā uniquely settles and descends, making it particularly effective at anchoring floating Yang. When combined with minerals like Shí Jué Míng or Zhēn Zhū Mǔ, or used in formulas like Qǐ Jú Dì Huáng Wán, it addresses both the root (Yin deficiency) and the branch (Yang rising) of hypertension-related dizziness.

Also commonly used for

Headaches

Especially Wind-Heat or Liver Yang type headaches

Dizziness

Related to Liver Yang rising or Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency

Dry Eyes

From insufficient Liver Yin

Common Cold

Wind-Heat type with fever and headache

Tinnitus

Associated with Liver Yang or Liver-Kidney deficiency

Boils

Heat-toxin skin infections

Herb Properties

Every herb has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Slightly Cool

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān), Bitter (苦 kǔ)

Channels Entered

Lungs Liver

Parts Used

Flower (花 huā)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Ju Hua — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

5–15g

Maximum dosage

Up to 30g in acute wind-heat conditions or severe Liver Yang rising, under practitioner supervision. For regular tea use, 5–10g daily is typical.

Dosage notes

Lower doses (5–10g) are typically used for mild wind-heat symptoms, as a daily tea for eye health, or combined in formulas for Liver Yang calming. Higher doses (10–15g) are used for more pronounced wind-heat patterns or acute red, painful eyes. Yellow chrysanthemum (Huang Ju) is preferred at moderate doses for dispersing wind-heat. White chrysanthemum (Bai Ju) is preferred for calming Liver Yang and brightening the eyes. Wild chrysanthemum (Ye Ju Hua, a different species) is used at lower doses (6–15g) due to its stronger cold and bitter nature. When used as a simple tea infusion rather than a decoction, the effective extraction is lower, so standard tea quantities of 3–5g are common for daily wellness use.

Preparation

Ju Hua does not require special decoction handling. When used in a decoction formula, it is added with the other herbs and cooked normally. However, because its active aromatic components are volatile, it should not be over-boiled. In some preparations it is added in the last 5–10 minutes of decoction (后下) to preserve its lighter aromatic qualities, particularly when being used to disperse wind-heat. For tea use, simply steeping in freshly boiled water for 5–10 minutes is sufficient.

Processing Methods

In TCM, the same herb can be prepared in different ways to change its effects — here's how processing alters what Ju Hua does

Processing method

The cleaned chrysanthemum flowers are stir-fried in a dry wok until they turn dark brown or charred on the outside, but the interior must remain intact (retaining its essential nature). Then water is sprinkled on, and the flowers are removed and dried.

How it changes properties

Charring the flower reduces its cooling and dispersing properties while enhancing its astringent and hemostatic qualities. The charred form gains the ability to stop bleeding by astringing blood vessels, a property the raw flower does not possess. The thermal nature shifts from slightly cool toward neutral.

When to use this form

Used when bleeding accompanies a heat pattern, particularly in conditions where the cooling and Liver-clearing properties of chrysanthemum are still needed but hemorrhage is a primary concern. This is an uncommon form compared to the raw herb.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Ju Hua for enhanced therapeutic effect

Sang Ye
Sang Ye Sāng Yè 7.5g : Jú Huā 3g (as in Sāng Jú Yǐn), or 2:1

Sāng Yè (mulberry leaf) and Jú Huā together create a powerful Wind-Heat dispersing team. Sāng Yè is stronger at clearing the Lungs and stopping cough, while Jú Huā is stronger at clearing the Liver and brightening the eyes. Together they address both the Lung and Liver simultaneously, covering the full range of Wind-Heat symptoms from cough to headache to red eyes.

When to use: Wind-Heat invasion with fever, headache, cough, and red or sore eyes. This is the foundational pair in Sāng Jú Yǐn for warm-febrile disease at the early stage.

Gou Qi Zi
Gou Qi Zi 1:1 (e.g. both at 9-12g)

Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ (goji berry) nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin and enriches the Blood that feeds the eyes, while Jú Huā clears Liver Heat and brightens vision. Together, one nourishes and one clears, addressing both the root deficiency and the resulting heat or dryness that causes declining eyesight.

When to use: Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency with blurry vision, dry eyes, dizziness, and mild photophobia. This is one of the most well-known herb pairs in all of Chinese medicine, forming the basis of Qǐ Jú Dì Huáng Wán.

Shi Jue Ming
Shi Jue Ming Shí Jué Míng 15-30g : Jú Huā 9-15g

Shí Jué Míng (abalone shell) is heavy and sinking, powerfully anchoring Liver Yang downward and calming internal Wind. Jú Huā clears Liver Heat and gently subdues Yang from the channel level. Together, one works through weight and mineral settling, the other through cooling and clearing, providing a comprehensive approach to Liver Yang rising.

When to use: Liver Yang rising with severe headache, marked dizziness, red eyes, irritability, and elevated blood pressure.

Xia Ku Cao
Xia Ku Cao 1:1 (e.g. both at 9-12g)

Xià Kū Cǎo (prunella spike) strongly drains Liver Fire and dissipates nodules, while Jú Huā clears Liver Heat more gently and brightens the eyes. Together they create a potent Liver-clearing combination that addresses both the fire and its effects on the eyes, suitable for more intense Liver Fire presentations.

When to use: Liver Fire causing severe eye redness and pain, especially when accompanied by headache or nodular swellings like thyroid nodules or scrofula.

Key Formulas

These well-known formulas feature Ju Hua in a prominent role

Sang Ju Yin 桑菊饮 King

Sāng Jú Yǐn (from Wēn Bìng Tiáo Biàn) is the classic formula for early-stage Wind-Heat invasion with cough. Jú Huā serves as co-King alongside Sāng Yè, demonstrating its core Wind-Heat dispersing action. The formula perfectly showcases how Jú Huā works at its lightest and most gentle, treating the superficial layer of warm-febrile disease.

Ju Hua Cha Tiao San 菊花茶调散 King

Jú Huā Chá Tiáo Sǎn (from Hé Jì Jú Fāng) treats Wind-Heat headache with dizziness and eye problems. Jú Huā serves as King, and the formula highlights its specific action on the head and eyes, combining Wind-dispersing herbs with Jú Huā's Liver-clearing properties for stubborn headaches.

Qi Ju Di Huang Wan 杞菊地黄丸 Deputy

Qǐ Jú Dì Huáng Wán (from Yī Jí) adds Jú Huā and Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ to the classic Liù Wèi Dì Huáng Wán. Here Jú Huā plays Deputy, directing the formula's Yin-nourishing power specifically to the eyes and clearing residual Liver heat. This formula showcases Jú Huā's eye-brightening action in the context of Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

Sang Ye
Ju Hua vs Sang Ye

Both Sāng Yè and Jú Huā disperse Wind-Heat, clear the Liver, and brighten the eyes. However, Sāng Yè is stronger at clearing the Lungs, moistening dryness, and stopping cough, making it the better choice when cough or Lung dryness is the main complaint. Jú Huā is superior at calming Liver Yang and clearing Liver Fire from the eyes, making it the preferred choice when dizziness, headache from Liver Yang, or eye problems are the primary concern. Jú Huā also clears Heat-toxins, which Sāng Yè does not.

Bo He
Ju Hua vs Bo He

Both disperse Wind-Heat, but Bò Hé (mint) is acrid and strongly dispersing, making it more effective for sore throat, nasal congestion, and early-stage rashes that need to vent outward. Jú Huā is less dispersing but better at calming Liver Yang, clearing the eyes, and resolving toxins. For headaches, Bò Hé works through strong aromatic dispersal while Jú Huā works through gentle cooling and Liver-settling. Bò Hé is better for the throat; Jú Huā is better for the eyes.

Ye Ju Hua
Ju Hua vs Ye Ju Hua

Yě Jú Huā (wild chrysanthemum) is a related but distinct medicinal. It is much more bitter and has far stronger Heat-toxin clearing and detoxifying power, making it the primary choice for boils, abscesses, and acute infections. Jú Huā (cultivated chrysanthemum) is milder and better suited for dispersing Wind-Heat, calming Liver Yang, and gently brightening the eyes. When the goal is detoxification and treating sores, choose Yě Jú Huā; for eye health and Liver Yang headaches, choose Jú Huā.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Ju Hua

The most important distinction is between medicinal chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) and wild chrysanthemum (Ye Ju Hua, Chrysanthemum indicum). Wild chrysanthemum has much smaller, fully yellow flower heads with a stronger bitter taste and more potent heat-clearing and toxin-resolving properties, but is much colder and harsher on the stomach. They should not be interchanged without awareness of their different clinical profiles. Tao Hongjing noted a lookalike called "Ku Yi" (苦薏), with green stems, an artemisia-like smell, and a bitter inedible flavour, which should not be confused with true medicinal chrysanthemum. Among commercial products, ornamental chrysanthemum varieties (which number in the thousands) are sometimes sold in place of proper medicinal varieties. These lack the characteristic aroma, flavour, and therapeutic compounds of the recognized medicinal cultivars (Bo Ju, Chu Ju, Hang Ju, Gong Ju, Huai Ju). Sulphur-fumigated chrysanthemum is a common quality concern. Sulphur fumigation whitens and preserves the flowers but introduces sulphur dioxide residues and may alter the chemical profile. Steam-dried or naturally dried products are preferred.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any herb.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Ju Hua

Non-toxic

Chrysanthemum is classified as non-toxic in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and has a long history of use as both food and medicine. No specific toxic components have been identified at standard dosages. The main safety concern is allergic reaction in individuals sensitive to plants of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family, which can manifest as contact dermatitis, respiratory symptoms, or rarely anaphylaxis. Some chrysanthemum compounds (such as alantolactone-related sesquiterpene lactones) can cause photosensitivity with occupational skin exposure. Sulphur-fumigated chrysanthemum products may contain sulphur dioxide residues, so non-fumigated or steam-dried products are preferred.

Contraindications

Situations where Ju Hua should not be used or requires extra caution

Caution

Spleen and Stomach deficiency with cold (脾胃虚寒): People who tend to feel cold, have cold hands and feet, or experience loose stools and stomach pain after eating cold foods should use Ju Hua with caution. Its cool nature can worsen these symptoms.

Caution

Wind-cold pattern colds: Ju Hua is for wind-heat conditions. Using it during a cold caused by wind-cold (chills predominating over fever, clear runny nose, absence of sore throat) is inappropriate and may worsen the condition.

Caution

Qi deficiency with poor appetite: In people with significant Qi weakness, especially of the Spleen and Stomach, prolonged or excessive use of this cool, slightly bitter herb can further damage digestive function.

Avoid

Known allergy to Asteraceae/Compositae family plants (ragweed, daisies, marigolds): Chrysanthemum belongs to this plant family and may trigger allergic reactions including skin rash, respiratory symptoms, or anaphylaxis in sensitized individuals.

Caution

Diarrhea due to Spleen Yang deficiency: The cold nature of Ju Hua may aggravate loose stools and diarrhea in those with underlying Spleen Yang weakness.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

There is insufficient reliable safety data for chrysanthemum use during pregnancy. While it is generally considered a mild herb and widely consumed as tea, its cool nature theoretically could be unfavourable in larger medicinal doses for pregnant women with underlying cold or deficiency patterns. No specific teratogenic or uterine-stimulating effects have been documented, but as a precaution, medicinal doses should only be used during pregnancy under professional guidance. Casual consumption as a light tea in small amounts is generally not considered problematic.

Breastfeeding

No specific adverse effects on lactation or breastfed infants have been documented for chrysanthemum at standard doses. It has been consumed as tea for centuries, including by nursing mothers. However, individuals with Asteraceae allergies should avoid it due to theoretical risk of sensitizing the infant. As a cooling herb, excessive intake may theoretically affect milk supply in mothers with underlying cold or deficiency patterns. Standard dietary-level consumption as tea is generally considered acceptable.

Children

Chrysanthemum is generally well tolerated in children at appropriately reduced doses (typically one-third to one-half of adult dosage depending on age and body weight). It is commonly given to children as a mild tea for eye irritation or mild wind-heat symptoms. However, as a cool-natured herb, it should not be used in large doses or for prolonged periods in children, as their Spleen and Stomach functions are not yet fully developed and are more vulnerable to cold damage. Children with known Asteraceae allergies should avoid it entirely.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Ju Hua

CYP3A4 substrates: According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, chrysanthemum extracts have been shown in laboratory studies to both induce and inhibit CYP3A4 enzyme activity. A documented case report involved a kidney transplant patient who developed toxic blood levels of immunosuppressive medications (tacrolimus/cyclosporine) after consuming a tea containing chrysanthemum, with subsequent analysis confirming chrysanthemum as a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor in that context. People taking immunosuppressants, certain anti-rejection drugs, or other medications metabolized primarily by CYP3A4 should exercise caution.

P-glycoprotein substrates: Laboratory studies suggest chrysanthemum may inhibit P-glycoprotein (P-gp), potentially increasing intracellular concentrations of P-gp substrate drugs. Clinical relevance is not yet established, but caution is warranted with drugs that have narrow therapeutic windows and are P-gp substrates (e.g. digoxin, certain chemotherapy agents).

Anticoagulants/antiplatelets: While no direct clinical interaction studies exist specifically for chrysanthemum, its flavonoid content (including quercetin, luteolin, and apigenin) has theoretical potential to affect platelet function. Caution is advised when combining with warfarin or other blood thinners.

Antihypertensive medications: Chrysanthemum has demonstrated mild blood-pressure-lowering effects in pharmacological studies. Concurrent use with antihypertensive drugs may have an additive effect, potentially requiring monitoring.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Ju Hua

When taking Ju Hua for wind-heat conditions, avoid greasy, fried, or heavily spiced foods that may generate more internal heat. Cold, raw foods are acceptable in moderation given the herb's cooling nature, but people with weak digestion should be mindful. When used for Liver Yang calming (e.g. for headaches and dizziness), avoiding alcohol, coffee, and overly pungent foods (chilli, raw garlic, raw onion) is advisable, as these can aggravate Liver Yang rising. Chrysanthemum pairs well with Gou Qi Zi (goji berries) as a tea for nourishing the eyes.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Ju Hua source plant

Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. (syn. Dendranthema morifolium) is a perennial herbaceous plant in the Asteraceae (daisy) family, with a cultivation history in China spanning over 3,000 years. The plant grows 60–150 cm tall with erect, green, slightly branched stems that have a rough surface. The leaves are alternate, ovate to broadly lanceolate with toothed or lobed margins, dark green on top and lighter beneath, with a distinctive aromatic scent when crushed.

The flower heads (capitula) are the medicinal part, composed of outer ray florets ("tongue-shaped" or ligulate flowers, which may be white, yellow, or pale purple depending on variety) surrounding a central disc of small tubular florets that are typically yellow. Flowering occurs from September to November. The plant prefers well-drained, fertile soil and sunny positions, tolerating some cold (ground roots surviving to approximately -10°C), and grows best at 18–21°C. It thrives in slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH 6.2–6.7).

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Ju Hua is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

September to November, when flowers are in full bloom. Ideally harvested around the Frost Descent (霜降) solar term, on clear days after morning dew has dried, when petals are fully open and the flower colour is at its best.

Primary growing regions

The four most renowned medicinal chrysanthemum varieties and their terroir regions (道地药材) are: 1. Bo Ju (亳菊) — Bozhou, Anhui Province. Considered the highest quality white chrysanthemum for medicinal use. Best known for dispersing wind-heat. 2. Chu Ju (滁菊) — Chuzhou, Anhui Province. Has the most tightly packed petals. Best for calming Liver Yang. 3. Gong Ju (贡菊) — She County (Huangshan area), Anhui Province. Historically offered as tribute to the emperor. Good for clearing heat and brightening the eyes. 4. Hang Ju (杭菊) — Tongxiang, Zhejiang Province. Available in white and yellow varieties. Most popular as a tea chrysanthemum, also widely used medicinally. 5. Huai Ju (怀菊) — Jiaozuo area (Qinyang, Bo'ai, Wuzhi, Wenxian), Henan Province. One of the "Four Great Huai Medicines" (四大怀药), with a very long cultivation history.

Quality indicators

Good quality chrysanthemum flowers should be intact (not scattered or broken into loose petals), with a fresh, pleasant fragrance that is distinctly aromatic and sweet. The colour should be vivid and characteristic of the variety: white varieties should be a clean white to off-white, yellow varieties a clear bright yellow. Flowers that are dull, brownish, or overly dark suggest poor drying or age. The centre disc florets should be yellow and not blackened. The texture should be light and dry but not brittle or powdery. Taste should be slightly sweet with mild bitterness (not harsh). Avoid products with a sharp sulphurous smell, which indicates excessive sulphur fumigation. For Bo Ju (亳菊), petals are typically loose; for Chu Ju (滁菊), petals should be tightly packed. Heavier flowers with a strong fragrance and minimal stem/debris are preferred.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Ju Hua and its therapeutic uses

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (《神农本草经》)

Original: 「主诸风头眩、肿痛，目欲脱，泪出，皮肤死肌，恶风湿痹，利血气。久服利血气，轻身耐老延年。」

Translation: "It treats all types of wind-related dizziness and head swelling pain, eyes feeling as though they will fall out, tearing, dead skin on the body, aversion to wind with damp-painful obstruction, and benefits the Blood and Qi. Long-term use benefits the Blood and Qi, makes the body light, and promotes longevity."

Ming Yi Bie Lu (《名医别录》)

Original: 「疗腰痛去来陶陶，除胸中烦热，安肠胃，利五脉，调四肢。」

Translation: "It treats lingering, persistent lower back pain, eliminates vexing heat from the chest, settles the intestines and stomach, benefits the five vessels, and regulates the four limbs."

Ben Cao Zheng Yi (《本草正义》)

Original: 「凡花皆主宣扬疏泄，独菊花则摄纳下降，能平肝火，熄内风，抑木气之横逆。」

Translation: "All flowers tend to disperse and vent upward, but chrysanthemum alone draws inward and descends. It can calm Liver fire, extinguish internal wind, and restrain the unruly sideways movement of Wood Qi."

Wen Bing Tiao Bian (《温病条辨》) — Sang Ju Yin

Original: 「但咳，身不甚热，微渴者：杏仁二钱，连翘一钱五分，薄荷八分，桑叶二钱五分，菊花一钱，苦桔梗二钱，甘草八分，苇根二钱。」

Translation: "For cough only, with body not very hot and slight thirst: [formula Sang Ju Yin with chrysanthemum at 1 qian]." This is the classic formula pairing chrysanthemum with mulberry leaf for early-stage wind-warmth conditions affecting the Lung.

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Ju Hua's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Chrysanthemum has been cultivated in China for over 3,000 years and holds a special place in Chinese culture as one of the "Four Gentlemen" (四君子) of flowers, alongside plum blossom, orchid, and bamboo. It symbolizes nobility, resilience, and the autumn season. The poet Tao Yuanming (陶渊明, c. 365–427 CE) immortalized chrysanthemum in his famous line "picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, leisurely gazing at the southern mountains" (采菊东篱下，悠然见南山), forever linking the flower with the hermit-scholar ideal. The ancient name "延寿客" ("guest who extends longevity") reflects the belief, recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, that long-term use lightens the body and promotes longevity.

The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing listed chrysanthemum as a "superior" (上品) herb, indicating it was considered safe for long-term consumption. Tao Hongjing (陶弘景, 456–536 CE) distinguished the "true" chrysanthemum (with purple stems, sweet-flavored, aromatic, edible leaves) from the "bitter薏" (苦薏, a bitter, inedible lookalike). Over the centuries, distinct regional cultivars emerged for medicinal use. By the Song Dynasty, cultivated varieties like "Dengzhou Yellow" and "Dengzhou White" were specifically selected for medicinal purposes. The famous "Four Great Chrysanthemums" (杭菊, 亳菊, 滁菊, 怀菊) developed into distinct products with somewhat different clinical strengths: yellow chrysanthemum excels at dispersing wind-heat, white chrysanthemum is better for calming the Liver and brightening the eyes, and wild chrysanthemum (a distinct species) is strongest for clearing heat-toxin. Wu Jutong's (吴鞠通) Sang Ju Yin formula from the Wen Bing Tiao Bian cemented chrysanthemum's role as a key herb in the warm disease (温病) school for early-stage wind-heat conditions.

Modern Research

4 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Ju Hua

1

Comprehensive Review: Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of C. morifolium (2024)

Guo Y, et al. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2024, 331, 118274

A comprehensive review confirmed that chrysanthemum contains diverse bioactive compounds including flavonoids, phenolic acids, volatile oils, and terpenes, which demonstrate anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and cardiovascular protective activities. The review traced over 3,000 years of use from food to medicine.

PubMed
2

Narrow Review: Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Immunomodulatory Properties (2025)

De Guzman JFT, et al. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2025, 16, 1538311

A systematic review of 29 studies examining C. morifolium and C. indicum found evidence for antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects. Over 176 compounds have been isolated from C. morifolium, including 60 flavonoids and 28 phenylpropanoids. However, the review noted an absence of clinical trials using the single herb in humans.

Link
3

RCT: Botanical Formula Including Chrysanthemum for Eye Fatigue and Dry Eye (2020)

Kan J, Wang M, Liu Y, et al. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2020, 112(2), 334-342

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigated a botanical formula containing chrysanthemum for eye fatigue and dry eye symptoms. The formula showed improvements in reported outcomes related to eye comfort compared to placebo.

Link
4

RCT: DKB114 (Chrysanthemum zawadskii extract) for Serum Uric Acid Reduction (2020)

Park YH, Kim DH, Lee JS, et al. Nutrients, 2020, 12(12), 3794

A 12-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated a chrysanthemum-derived extract (DKB114) for reduction of serum uric acid levels. The study demonstrated efficacy and safety of the extract in this application.

Link

Research on individual TCM herbs is growing but still limited by Western clinical trial standards. These studies provide emerging evidence and should be considered alongside practitioner expertise.