Chrysanthemum flowers

Chrysanthemum Morifolii flowers, Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat [Fam. Asteraceae], also known as Ju Hua in Chinese, are edible flowers native to Eurasia and India, commonly combined with tea leaves as a daily beverage in the Orient and also used in traditional Chinese medicine particularly for their liver balancing properties. Chrysanthemum Morifolii flowers alleviate fever, headaches and disperse and remove toxins from the body. Chrysanthemum morifolium flowers are also one of two primary ingredients in a classical Chinese cough remedy called Sang ju yin that is available preformed in most Chinese herbal stores. Based on traditional use, Chyrsanthemum morifolium flowers are also popularly used for treating dizziness, ocular inflammation, and skin boils. Additionally, the flowers have been shown to have antibacterial, antifungal and hypotensive effects. The flowers also contain several strong anti-inflammatory compounds. In the Chinese Materia Medicas, the flowers of several Chrysanthemum species are used to clear 'heat' (inflammation and boils) from the body. Chrysanthemum morifolium was also used as a sedative, for its cooling ability in headache and in influenza. Related plant, Chrysanthemum sinense, was recommended in the classical Chinese herbal work, the Pen Ts'ao, for promoting menses and treating digestive, circulatory and nervous difficulties (taken as an extract made by steeping the flowers in wine). Chrysanthemum morifolium also possesses strong activity against abnormal growths. Tests have shown that out of fifteen compounds isolated from the edible flowers of Chrysanthemum morifolium, all showed potent inhibitory effects against abnormal cells. Evaluation of cytotoxic activity revealed that one compound, arnidiol, possesses a wide range of cytotoxicity (activity against abnormal cells). Chrysanthemum morifolium also contains a flavonoid compound called acacetin-7-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside, active against HIV infection. Research in China using about 60 grams daily of Chrysanthemum morifolium flowers for lowering vascular pressure reported case success rates of 17.1% very effective, 51.4% effective, 31.5% not effective