The perfect tea for autumn! Pair chrysanthemum with it to nourish the liver and moisten the intestines.

As autumn sets in, the weather grows cooler and rainfall decreases, leading to increasingly dry conditions. Many people often experience symptoms such as dry mouth and throat, dry and itchy skin, and dry, bleeding nasal passages—all of which are linked to autumn dryness. When the air is dry, we need to “Water” is the go-to solution, but plain boiled water is bland and tasteless, so people often opt to infuse it with various ingredients. Among the many options, chrysanthemum tea is the most suitable for autumn consumption.

Reasons for Drinking Chrysanthemum Tea in Autumn

Chrysanthemums have long been renowned for Known as the “Longevity Guest,” it is highly effective for wind-heat colds, headache and dizziness, red and swollen painful eyes, and blurred vision. A cup of chrysanthemum tea clears heat, detoxifies, and reduces internal fire, while also alleviating autumn dryness. From a modern medical perspective, chrysanthemums contain volatile oils, chrysanthemum glycosides, adenine, and other bioactive compounds that exhibit antimicrobial activity, sedative and antipyretic effects, and the ability to enhance capillary resilience. Moreover, Its petals contain a variety of amino acids, vitamins, and trace elements such as iron, zinc, and copper. , all of which are beneficial to human health.

Chrysanthemums paired with it are even better for your health.

There’s a popular saying: “Two chrysanthemum blossoms make a pinch of tea—clearing the heart, brightening the eyes, and promoting longevity.” Chrysanthemum tea boasts a fresh, delicate aroma and helps clear heat and reduce internal fire; when paired with other ingredients, it can offer even more diverse health benefits.

1. Add goji berries—nourish the liver and improve eyesight Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that the liver stores blood; when liver function is impaired, the eyes lack nourishment, making them prone to dryness and fatigue. Chrysanthemum and goji berries both enter the Liver meridian: chrysanthemum clears the liver and improves vision while relieving eye fatigue, whereas goji berries nourish the liver and enhance eyesight, and are rich in essential nutrients such as carotenoids that promote eye health and brightness. They are particularly suitable for people who frequently use computers or smartphones. Method of preparation: white chrysanthemum. Simply steep 10 grams of goji berries in water to make a tea substitute.

2. Adding mulberry leaves—supports blood pressure reduction Shi Xiaomo, a descendant of Shi Jinmo—one of the Four Great Physicians of the Capital—shared a daily blood-pressure-lowering tea. — “Clear-Head Herbal Tea.” According to Mr. Shi, hypertension is primarily characterized by excess in the upper part of the body and deficiency in the lower part; therefore, to clear the head, he recommends using chrysanthemum flowers and mulberry leaves to brighten the eyes, supplemented with a small amount of Longjing tea to clear liver fire. This herbal tea can help lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients and serves as a preventive measure for those at high risk of hypertension—namely, individuals with a quick temper, irregular lifestyles, elevated blood lipids, sedentary habits, or chronic late nights. Preparation: Steep 10 grams of chrysanthemum flowers, 5 grams of mulberry leaves, and 10 grams of Longjing tea in boiling water and drink as a tea substitute.

3. Add raw hawthorn—lower lipids and aid digestion Dried hawthorn refers to fresh hawthorn that has been sun-dried, and its primary effects are lowering blood lipids and promoting blood circulation while resolving blood stasis. Patients with fatty liver and those with high blood lipid levels may wish to try brewing dried hawthorn together with chrysanthemum flowers in water. Method: Hawthorn Steep 15 grams of chrysanthemum flowers in water and drink the infusion.

4. Add cassia seeds — to relieve constipation Many middle-aged and elderly individuals suffer from constipation, often due to internal heat and dryness accumulating in the intestines. For those with mild constipation, adding cassia seeds to chrysanthemum tea can help clear internal heat and moisten the intestines to promote regular bowel movements. Method of use: Chrysanthemum. Steep 10 grams of cassia seeds and 15 grams of cassia seeds in water and drink the infusion.

Keep These Points in Mind When Drinking Chrysanthemum Tea

❖ Not recommended for those with a Yang-deficient constitution.

Although chrysanthemums are beneficial, they have a cooling nature; therefore, individuals with yang deficiency—characterized by chronic cold intolerance and cold limbs, as well as gastrointestinal discomfort or even diarrhea after consuming cold foods—are not suitable for drinking chrysanthemum tea.

❖ Chrysanthemum Varieties There are numerous varieties of chrysanthemums, broadly categorized into ornamental, medicinal, and edible types. The commonly used varieties in daily life each have slightly different therapeutic effects: Yellow chrysanthemum is particularly effective at clearing heat and reducing internal fire, making it often employed to dispel wind-heat in cases of common cold; White chrysanthemum, also known as sweet chrysanthemum, has the effect of calming the liver and subduing yang, and can help alleviate dizziness and hypertension; and fetal chrysanthemum is beneficial for eye health, helping to relieve myopia and presbyopia.

❖3 Tips for Buying Good Chrysanthemums 1. Examine the color: Avoid chrysanthemums with a dull or overly vibrant hue—dull colors suggest the flowers are stale, while overly bright colors often indicate sulfur fumigation. 2. Assess the texture: The finest chrysanthemums feel neither hard nor damp; they should be loose, soft, and smooth to the touch. 3. Smell the aroma: High-quality chrysanthemums have a delicate, fresh fragrance; if you detect a sour odor, the flowers may have been fumigated with sulfur—do not purchase them.