Chrysanthemum Infusions: Not Everyone’s Cup of Tea

Why Is Chrysanthemum Tea Popular?

Chrysanthemum tea is one of the popular modern-day infusion drinks that has a lot of purported health benefits and offers rejuvenation to tea lovers. This tea is simply prepared by pouring hot water over the dried flowers of chrysanthemum. Chrysanthemum tea is still one of the popular summertime favorites for the Chinese, with the traditional history of the use of chrysanthemum in Chinese medicine over the centuries. In Chinese traditional medicine, the chrysanthemum flowers were used as components or ingredients of medicines to treat a variety of systemic health-related conditions. However, the point to consider is whether the stated benefits of the chrysanthemum flowers or its tea are indeed supported by scientific evidence or not?

What Is the Origin and Use of Chrysanthemum Infusions in Chinese Medicine?

According to many nutritionists, it is wiser to refrain from chrysanthemum tea consumption especially if one has a ragweed or sunflower allergy. The term ‘chrysanthemum’ comes from the Greek word ‘krus anthemon’, meaning the ‘gold flower’, which gets its origins from Chinese medicine. The Chrysanthemum morifolium flower belongs to the Asteraceae family and is considered the second most widely cultivated floricultural crop across the globe after rose plants. Chrysanthemum tea has been publicized often in the media and many health magazines owing to its traditional use in Chinese medicine for almost hundreds of years. In addition, the diverse combination of other herbs in commercial tea blends alongside chrysanthemum has made it quite popular amongst the younger population groups. However, the current scientific research shows that most of these health claims do not have underlying scientific evidence. The tea form is popular only because of its use in Chinese medicine and is commonly used in conjunction with other herbs for treating conditions like bruises, snake bites, diphtheria (bacterial infection of the nose and throat), rhinitis (swelling and irritation of the mucus lining of the nose), hypertension (high blood pressure), and malaria.

Why Is Scientific Evidence Completely Lacking for Chrysanthemum Infusions?

Nutrition experts always advise that since there is not enough evidence to support the long-term usage of chrysanthemum it would be more detrimental to health if people start using it without prior consultation with their health care providers to self-treat stomach ailments or gastrointestinal issues. Even the preliminary research on chrysanthemum tea to prevent gastric or stomach cancers or other types of cancer remains unproven through science.

According to the information given by the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, there is certainly a lack of scientific evidence to support using chrysanthemum specifically for the treatment of any systemic conditions, as opposed to its frequent use in Chinese medicine.

What Are the Safety Concerns and Allergies Related to Chrysanthemum Infusions?

It is important to note that only a registered health care professional such as a dietician, a nutritionist, or a physician would be able to offer personalized advice regarding the dietary options that would best suit one’s nutritional requirements as per the body type, composition, and medical history. The safety concerns and allergies are as follows:

• Chrysanthemum tea is not recommended for individuals who are taking any systemic medications for any health issues. Chrysanthemum tea allergies are common, especially after consumption or even while handling it for tea preparation.

• Individuals with a previous history of allergies or food sensitivity can experience possible side effects like skin rashes or contact dermatitis allergy, localized redness, inflammation, swelling, or itching of the skin.

• Sensitive Individuals can also experience an increased sensitivity to sunlight or be at increased predisposition to getting a sunburn.

From a nutritional perspective, when chrysanthemum itself is considered an ingredient, its health benefits or potency to improve systemic health can be challenged by nutrition experts. This is because there is no clear health-based rationale behind its consumption and a sip of this tea, though rejuvenating to individuals is not based on any scientific research as such.

In contrast, currently, nutrition experts have indicated that long-term safety concerns of this tea need to be discovered clearly through further investigation into its mechanism of action. Though some preliminary medical research of limited control studies show that chrysanthemum tea would positively impact blood sugar levels or prevent the occurrence of precancers or gastric mucosal lesions, amongst its numerous other health benefits, remain unproven as per scientific research.

What Is the Preparation and Flavor of Chrysanthemum Tea?

Chrysanthemum tea can be considered a floral infusion and not a true tea form, unlike other herbal teas. Most herbal brews are usually prepared only from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. However, this floral infusion is devoid completely of caffeine. Also, the tea is certainly not made from tea leaves like most of the rejuvenating or herbal teas.

Instead, this can be considered an infusion tea that is prepared only from the dried flowers of the chrysanthemum plants. This is one of the unique preparations where the plant's flowers yield their distinctive flavor, unlike most herbal brews that have their flavor from the other plant parts usually like the roots, leaves or stem.

To make a cup of chrysanthemum tea, one can usually place the dried, whole chrysanthemum flowers in a cup or a teapot and then just pour boiling water over it. Allow the flowers to steep for at least a few minutes till one notices the tea turn a golden yellow color ideally. Also, one can add sugar or sweetener as per the taste preference. This floral tea infusion usually tends to have a very light aroma and tastes sweet.

Conclusion:

While it can be certainly tempting for many individuals to self-treat themselves for health conditions without consulting a registered healthcare professional, caution is always advised for protecting one's systemic health. Long-term use or regular use of any food item or product without knowing its safety concerns or risks for the body can predispose a person to systemic harm. In the case of chrysanthemum tea, not enough evidence exists scientifically to prove its health benefits though a cup of this sweet tea occasionally can certainly be a refreshing drink for many. Therefore, one must consult the doctor before consuming chrysanthemum tea to avoid any health issues associated with this tea.