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Chrysanthemum morifolium

Chrysanthemum is a flowering plant belonging to the Asteraceae family with a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in East Asian countries. This review examines the scientific evidence supporting its health benefits, therapeutic applications, dosage recommendations, and potential side effects.

Botanical Classification and Common Names

The primary medicinal species is Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. (syn. Dendranthema morifolium), commonly known as florist's chrysanthemum, hardy garden mum, or simply mum. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is known as "Ju Hua." Chrysanthemum indicum L. is another medicinal species used similarly but with some distinct properties. These should not be confused with Tanacetum parthenium (feverfew), which is sometimes erroneously called wild chrysanthemum but belongs to a different genus despite being in the same family.

Bioactive Compounds

Chrysanthemum contains numerous bioactive compounds including flavonoids (luteolin, apigenin, acacetin), terpenoids, phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid), essential oils, and polysaccharides. These compounds are responsible for its therapeutic properties. The concentration of these compounds varies based on species, growing conditions, harvest time, and extraction methods.

Evidence-Based Health Benefits

Modern research has investigated chrysanthemum's traditional uses with varying levels of scientific evidence. The following conditions have demonstrated positive responses to chrysanthemum in scientific studies:

• Anti-inflammatory effects: Multiple studies have confirmed significant anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and in animal models, particularly for arthritis and inflammatory skin conditions.
• Antioxidant properties: Strong free radical scavenging abilities have been documented, potentially offering protection against oxidative stress-related conditions.
• Cardiovascular health: Research indicates potential benefits for hypertension management and improvements in lipid profiles.
• Antimicrobial activity: Studies show inhibitory effects against several bacterial and fungal strains.
• Neuroprotection: Emerging evidence suggests protective effects against neurodegenerative processes, particularly in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease models.
• Hepatoprotection: Some studies indicate liver-protective effects against toxin-induced damage.
• Anti-cancer potential: In vitro and animal studies have shown promising anti-tumor activities, though human clinical trials remain limited.
• Ocular health: Traditional use for "clearing heat" from the eyes has some support in studies showing benefits for dry eye syndrome and reducing eye strain.

Therapeutic Uses with Strong Evidence

The strongest scientific evidence exists for the following applications:

• Fever reduction (antipyretic effects)
• Anti-inflammatory applications, particularly for respiratory conditions
• Antioxidant supplementation
• Mild antimicrobial support

Therapeutic Uses with Moderate Evidence

• Cardiovascular support (mild hypotensive effects)
• Hepatoprotection
• Management of ocular conditions including dry eyes

Therapeutic Uses with Preliminary Evidence

• Neuroprotection for degenerative conditions
• Anticancer adjunctive therapy
• Allergy management
• Metabolic syndrome support

Recommended Dosages

Dosage recommendations vary based on preparation method and intended use. Clinical studies have used varying amounts, but the following represents common ranges in the literature:

• Dried flower infusion (tea): 3-5g daily, typically divided into 2-3 doses
• Standardized extract (containing 1.5% flavonoids): 300-600mg daily
• Tincture (1:5 in 45% alcohol): 2-4ml, three times daily
• For topical applications: Preparations containing 2-5% chrysanthemum extract

Most studies report efficacy within these ranges, with limited benefit from higher doses. Research explicitly testing dose-response relationships is relatively scarce, representing a knowledge gap in the literature.

Standardization

The most common standardization is based on total flavonoid content (typically 1.5-3%), with luteolin and apigenin often used as marker compounds. However, standardization practices vary considerably between products and studies, making direct comparisons challenging. This lack of consistent standardization represents a significant limitation in the research.

High-Dose Studies and Knowledge Gaps

Limited research has explored doses significantly above the ranges mentioned above. The few studies examining higher doses have not consistently demonstrated additional benefits, though systematic investigations of dose-response relationships remain inadequate. Some animal studies suggest potential hepatotoxicity at extremely high doses (equivalent to >20g/kg in rodents), but these doses far exceed typical human consumption. A significant knowledge gap exists regarding optimal dosing strategies, long-term effects, and precise mechanism of action for specific conditions.

Side Effects and Safety Concerns

Chrysanthemum is generally considered safe when consumed in typical dietary or medicinal amounts. However, the following adverse effects have been reported:

• Allergic reactions: Contact dermatitis is the most common adverse effect, particularly in individuals with sensitivities to plants in the Asteraceae family.
• Photosensitivity: Some individuals may experience increased sensitivity to sunlight.
• Mild gastrointestinal disturbances: Nausea, stomach discomfort, or diarrhea in sensitive individuals.
• Potential drug interactions: Limited evidence suggests possible interactions with anticoagulant medications and certain cytochrome P450 substrates.

Contraindications

Chrysanthemum should be used with caution in:

• Individuals with known allergies to plants in the Asteraceae family (including ragweed, daisies, marigolds)
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women (due to insufficient safety data)
• Patients taking anticoagulant medications
• Individuals with hormone-sensitive conditions (due to potential phytoestrogenic effects)

It's important to note that most chrysanthemum products remain classified as dietary supplements or traditional medicines rather than pharmaceuticals in Western regulatory frameworks. The development of isolated bioactive compounds from chrysanthemum into conventional pharmaceuticals represents an area of ongoing research.

Conclusion

Scientific evidence supports several traditional uses of chrysanthemum, particularly for inflammatory conditions, fever, and ocular health. However, many applications require further clinical investigation, especially regarding optimal dosing, long-term safety, and efficacy for specific conditions. The variation in preparation methods, standardization approaches, and study designs presents challenges in developing definitive guidelines for therapeutic use. As research continues, chrysanthemum remains a promising botanical with significant potential for integration into evidence-based complementary medicine.

References

Chen, L., Teng, H., Jia, Z., Battino, M., Miron, A., Yu, Z., ... & Xiao, J. (2018). Intracellular signaling pathways of inflammation modulated by dietary flavonoids: The most recent evidence. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 58(17), 2908-2924.

Deng, M., Yan, W., Gu, Z., Li, Y., Chen, L., & He, B. (2023). Anti-neuroinflammatory potential of natural products in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Molecules, 28(3), 1486.

Jiang, S., Wang, M., Jiang, Z., Zafar, S., Xie, Q., Yang, Y., ... & Wang, W. (2021). Chemistry and pharmacological activity of sesquiterpenoids from the Chrysanthemum genus. Molecules, 26(10), 3038.

Liang, Y., Liu, T., Wang, D., & Liu, Q. (2025). Exploring the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties of Chrysanthemum morifolium and Chrysanthemum indicum: a narrow review. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 16, 1538311.

Liu, Y., Lu, C., Zhou, J., Zhou, F., Gui, A., Chu, H., & Shao, Q. (2024). Chrysanthemum morifolium as a traditional herb: A review of historical development, classification, phytochemistry, pharmacology and application. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 118198.

Ojha, S., Vishwakarma, P. K., Tripathi, S. M., & Mishra, S. (2024). Exploring the therapeutic potential of Chrysanthemum morifolium: An ethnopharmacological perspective. Current Nutrition & Food Science, 20(5), 646-657.

Wu, J. L., Liu, Z. G., Jin, M., Liu, J., Li, Y., Bi, H. S., ... & Huang, C. H. (2021). A multicenter, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial of compound wild chrysanthemum eye masks for mild and moderate dry eye. [Zhonghua yan ke za Zhi] Chinese Journal of Ophthalmology, 57(8), 601-607.