Chrysanthemum Flower Chinese Tea
A Refreshing Drink to Help Clear the Head and Strengthen the Lungs.
When summer heat and allergies bring sinus congestion and eye irritation chrysanthemum tea can help. It may also counteract some of the effects of VDT exposure.
Chinese teas are made from a variety of plants for a variety of reasons. Chrysanthemum flower tea is one very common type. Drunk with meals it helps to aid digestion, especially of greasy foods. It is also commonly taken to help strengthen the lungs and relieve head congestion. When made from fresh flowers, the flowers can be applied to the eyes to relieve dryness and itching. In China, chrysanthemum tea is now being recommended for office workers exposed to Video Display Terminals (VDTs).
Chrysanthemum flowers (Chrysanthemum morifolii), known as Ju Hua, have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries. They are found in many ancient formulas. But simple chrysanthemum flower tea is also a very common beverage in China, as the Chinese take into account the health benefits of the food and drink they consume. Ju Hua is classified as a cool, acrid herb which is good for relieving heat of the upper body-i.e. head and chest, being especially helpful for red, itchy eyes. It enters the Lung Meridian.
White and Yellow Chrysanthemums
White chrysanthemum is best for soothing the eyes while yellow chrysanthemum is better at clearing heat, so your tea should be chosen accordingly. When making the tea from dried flowers, the flowers can be taken from the pot and allowed to cool. They can then be placed over the eyes to soothe redness and itching. Keep any extra in the refrigerator for quick relief. Chrysanthemum tea bags can be used in the same way.
Because chrysanthemum flower Chinese tea is not a medicine in the Western sense, it can be safely drunk on a regular basis. It can help in the early stages of feverish type upper body flu. It may also help relieve certain types of headaches, blurred vision and dizziness, but the effect on those symptoms will vary dependent on the underlying cause. And studies have shown Ju Hua may have a beneficial effect on high blood pressure. When considering using Chinese herbs for serious or chronic health issues a qualified Chinese herbalist should always be consulted.
The VDT Usage and Chrysanthemum Tea
While the jury is still out on the effects of VDT radiation exposure, it would not hurt to drink chrysanthemum flower tea at work if you spend a great deal of time in front of a computer. Easing the eyestrain alone is good and if, as it is being recommended in China, chrysanthemum flower tea helps counteract side effects of the low levels of radiation coming from your computer screen, so much the better.
