Chrysanthemum Tea Benefits and Side Effects

Chrysanthemum tea is an infusion drink that is prepared by pouring hot water over dried chrysanthemum flowers. The tea is a popular summertime drink in China and has been used in Chinese medicine to treat a variety of conditions. However, not all chrysanthemum tea benefits are supported by scientific evidence.

Chrysanthemum tea is not made from tea leaves as you would expect. Instead, this infusion tea is made from flowers of the chrysanthemum plant. Chrysanthemums, or mums, are a perennial plant related to the sunflower family and are known for their bright blossoms.

Chrysanthemum tea has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years. People who drink the tea may be seeking relief from a wide range of conditions including:

• varicose veins
• atherosclerosis
• acne
• influenza
• sore throat
• fever
• angina (chest pain)
• common cold symptoms
• high blood pressure
• inflammation
• type 2 diabetes
• HIV/AIDS
• dizziness

Some people also believe that if you combine chrysanthemum with other herbs, you may be able to treat prostate cancer and when combined with licorice and Panax notoginseng (an ancient Chinese herb), it may treat precancerous lesions.

To make your own chrysanthemum tea, heat water to a temperature of about 100 degrees Celsius—or to boiling. Place dried chrysanthemum flowers (whole flowers, rather than petals) in a cup or teapot and pour the water over them. Allow the flowers to steep for several minutes until the tea turns a golden yellow color. Add sugar if desired. 

Approximately one ounce of the prepared, dried flowers makes approximately 20 8-ounce cups of tea. The tea has a light floral aroma and a gentle sweetness.

Because chrysanthemum tea is an infused tea, and it is not made from traditional tea leaves that come from the  Camellia sinensis plant, there is no caffeine in the beverage. 

Even though the health benefits of chrysanthemum tea are widely promoted, few of those benefits are supported by strong clinical evidence. Many claims about the drink are based on limited studies or personal reports regarding Chinese chrysanthemum ( in a variety of forms) combined with other herbal ingredients.

There have been some preliminary studies suggesting that taking Chinese chrysanthemum and chromium in specific doses may help to treat people with newly diagnosed or poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. However, there is not enough evidence to say for sure if there is a benefit. 

There has also been limited evidence that combining chrysanthemum with other ingredients may help to treat precancerous gastric mucosal lesions. However, experts still advise that there is not enough evidence to support using chrysanthemum to treat stomach cancer or any other type of cancer. 

The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database also advises that there is not enough scientific evidence to support using chrysanthemum for treatment of other conditions listed above. Additionally, there is no enough evidence to know that consuming chrysanthemum over the long term is safe.

It is possible to experience certain side effects if you consume chrysanthemum or handle it to prepare your tea. You may suffer from a skin rash (also called contact dermatitis), including redness, swelling or itching. You may also experience an increased sensitivity to sunlight and an increased chance of getting a sunburn. 

You should not consume chrysanthemum if you are taking drugs to suppress the immune system or if you are allergic to ragweed.

Some tea drinkers may gain relief from certain symptoms when they drink Chrysanthemum tea. But it is always hard to say if they got relief from their symptoms from the tea or from other circumstances. It can be tempting to reach for a natural treatment for illness, but in some cases the natural treatment can do more harm than good. 

If you are suffering from a condition and prefer to get relief using an alternative treatment, talk to your health care provider. Many physicians and nurses are familiar with traditional Chinese treatments and may be able to guide you to the safest, most effective treatment for you.