As a common flower, chrysanthemum has been cultivated in China for thousands of years of history. In addition to its ornamental value, chrysanthemum also has various effects, such as clearing heat and detoxifying, reducing swelling and relieving pain. However, some people believe that chrysanthemum is a "heaty" food that helps raise body temperature, while others believe its nature is cool, which has the effect of clearing heat and reducing fire. Is chrysanthemum considered "heaty" or "cool" in nature? This article will explore this question and introduce the health benefits of chrysanthemum.
Nutritional Components of Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum is rich in various nutritional components such as flavonoids, terpenes, and essential oils. Among them, flavonoids have effects such as clearing heat and detoxifying, and antioxidant, which can help improve liver function and promote blood circulation; terpenes have analgesic, bactericidal, and anti-inflammatory effects, which can relieve pain and remove toxins from the body.
Medicinal Value of Chrysanthemum
Since ancient times, chrysanthemum has been regarded as an important Chinese herbal medicine. There are records about chrysanthemum in "Compendium of Materia Medica", stating that it can "clear heat and detoxify, reduce swelling and relieve pain". Traditional Chinese medicine believes that chrysanthemum has effects such as clearing heat and detoxifying, resolving phlegm and relieving cough, and reducing swelling and relieving pain, and can be used to treat diseases such as colds, coughs, headaches, and hepatitis.
Medicinal and Edible Uses of Chrysanthemum
In addition to being used as a traditional Chinese medicine, chrysanthemum can also be used as a food ingredient. Chrysanthemum is rich in nutritional components, and its petals can be used to make tea, which has the effect of cooling and relieving summer heat, and reducing inflammation and fire. Chrysanthemum can also be used to make various foods such as pastries and beverages, with a sweet taste and rich nutrition.
Main Health Benefits of Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum has various health benefits, including:
1. Clearing heat and detoxifying: Chrysanthemum has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, which can help reduce the level of inflammation in the body and alleviate inflammatory reactions.
2. Reducing swelling and relieving pain: The essential oils and flavonoids in chrysanthemum have the effect of reducing swelling and relieving pain, and can relieve various pains and swellings.
3. Lowering blood pressure: Chrysanthemum contains various flavonoids, which can help lower blood pressure and improve blood circulation.
4. Antioxidant: The flavonoids in chrysanthemum have antioxidant effects, which can prevent free radical damage to cells.
The Heaty and Cool Nature of Chrysanthemum
Regarding the question of whether chrysanthemum is "heaty" or "cool" in nature, there are currently different views. Some people believe that chrysanthemum is a "heaty" food that helps raise body temperature; while others believe its nature is cool, which has the effect of clearing heat and reducing fire. In fact, the nature of chrysanthemum is neither completely "heaty" nor completely "cool", but belongs to neutral food.
Efficacy and Indications of Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum has various effects and is suitable for different diseases and symptoms, such as:
1. Colds, flu, and other diseases.
2. Pain symptoms such as headaches, toothaches, and arthritis.
3. Chronic diseases such as liver and gallbladder diseases, and diabetes.
4. Skin problems such as skin allergies and eczema.
How to Eat Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum can be used to make tea, various beverages, desserts, soups, and other foods. The specific methods are as follows:
1. Making tea: Put dried chrysanthemums in a cup, add boiling water and steep.
2. Making beverages: Add dried chrysanthemums to boiling water, add an appropriate amount of rock sugar or honey to taste.
3. Making desserts: Wash fresh chrysanthemum petals and use them to make desserts such as flower cakes and flower rolls.
Precautions for Using Chrysanthemum
Although chrysanthemum has various health benefits, the following precautions should be noted when using it:
1. Do not consume in excess: Although chrysanthemum is neutral, it should not be consumed in excess to avoid discomfort.
2. Contraindicated for pregnant women: Pregnant women should avoid consuming chrysanthemum to avoid adverse effects on the fetus.
3. Use with caution for allergy sufferers: People with pollen allergies or a history of allergies should use chrysanthemum with caution.
How to Select Chrysanthemum
When selecting chrysanthemum, pay attention to the following points:
1. Good quality: Choose varieties with bright colors, beautiful flower shapes, and complete petals.
2. No impurities: Choose varieties that are clean and free of impurities.
3. Good storage: Chrysanthemum should be stored in a ventilated, cool, and dry place to prevent mold and spoilage.
How to Cultivate Chrysanthemum
If you want to grow chrysanthemum at home, you can follow the following steps:
1. Select varieties: Choose varieties that are suitable for your home conditions and climate.
2. Fertilizing and watering: Fertilize and water regularly to keep the soil moist.
3. Pruning and management: Prune branches and leaves in time to promote the growth and blooming of flowers.
Horticultural Uses of Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum can not only be used for food, traditional Chinese medicine, and tea, but also as a common ornamental plant. Planting chrysanthemums in flower beds and borders can increase the ornamental and decorative value of the garden, creating a beautiful natural environment.
Cultural Significance of Chrysanthemum
In China's cultural tradition, chrysanthemum is regarded as a symbol of elegance, integrity, and perseverance. In ancient poetry, chrysanthemum is often used as a metaphor for loyal and noble character, becoming one of the themes pursued by scholars and artists.
Artistic Value of Chrysanthemum
As an important part of Chinese culture, chrysanthemum is not only widely used in literature and poetry, but also has become an important theme in calligraphy and painting art. Many famous painters have taken chrysanthemum as the theme of their paintings, expressing its winding, elegant, and noble qualities to the fullest through their brushes.
Commercial Value of Chrysanthemum
With the development of modern medicine, health care, food, and other industries, the market value of chrysanthemum has gradually increased. Now, chrysanthemum has become an important industry, and its processed products cover many fields such as tea, health products, and food.
From the above, it can be seen that as an important traditional Chinese medicine and food ingredient, chrysanthemum has various health benefits and cultural value. Although there are different views on its "heaty" or "cool" nature, its neutral characteristics and multiple effects make it an indispensable part of people's healthy life. We should appropriately add chrysanthemum to our daily diet to achieve the purpose of health preservation.