Chrysanthemum flowers growing in Mount Huang (Yellow Mountain)
Spring is upon us again which will bring changes and challenges to our health. Traditional Chinese medical physicians advocated that one should live in harmony with the seasons in order to prevent illness and disease. The liver is the most vulnerable organ in the spring time, so try not to over indulge in the wine and rich foods to celebrate the passing of the winter. Specific foods and herbs are appropriate to help the liver. Chrysanthemum flowers (菊花), known as Ju Hua in Chinese, have been used for generations by Chinese people as a tea in the spring time.
If you have an opportunity to visit a Chinese restaurant in the early spring, you may notice that you are served a special tea. It is common practise to serve food with a pot of chrysanthemum tea, sometimes mixed with green or oolong tea.
Dried chrysanthemum flowers are readily available in Chinese grocery stores and quite inexpensive. Simply put a few flowers in a pot and add hot water. They are sweet and pleasant tasting, unlike the reputation of standard Chinese herbs!
Chrysanthemum flowers have the reputation to benefit the eyes as they can treat red and sore eyes as well as relieve headaches due to exposure to windy spring weather.
Modern application as an herbal medicine in China has shown it helps high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Go to the chrysanthemum page for more information.
