Efficacy and Effects of Chrysanthemum morifolium (Golden Chrysanthemum)

Golden Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium ‘Jin Si’) offers several therapeutic effects, including dispersing wind-heat, calming liver yang and improving vision, clearing heat and detoxifying, exerting antibacterial and anti-inflammatory actions, and promoting sedation and calming the mind.

1. Dispersing Wind-Heat

Golden Chrysanthemum is slightly cold in nature and effectively disperses wind-heat. It is commonly used to treat symptoms such as fever, headache, and cough caused by exogenous wind-heat invasion or early-stage febrile diseases. It is often combined with Mulberry Leaf (Sang Ye), Forsythia Fruit (Lian Qiao), and Mint (Bo He) to alleviate fever, sore throat, and other associated discomforts.

2. Calming Liver Yang and Improving Vision

Golden Chrysanthemum enters the Liver channel and helps calm hyperactive liver yang and improve visual acuity. It can alleviate symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, and blurred vision resulting from liver yang rising. It is frequently used in combination with Conch Shell (Shi Jue Ming) and Pearl Oyster Shell (Zhen Zhu Mu)—herbs that anchor liver yang—to enhance its effect on calming liver yang and benefiting the eyes, thereby relieving dry eyes and visual blurriness.

3. Clearing Heat and Detoxifying

Golden Chrysanthemum clears heat and eliminates toxins, making it effective for treating sores, abscesses, and sore throats caused by internal accumulation of heat-toxin. It may be used alone or combined with other heat-clearing and detoxifying herbs such as Honeysuckle Flower (Jin Yin Hua) and Wild Chrysanthemum (Ye Ju Hua). For sore throat, it is often paired with Platycodon Root (Jie Geng) and Licorice Root (Gan Cao) to strengthen its heat-clearing, detoxifying, pharynx-soothing, and swelling-reducing effects.

4. Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Golden Chrysanthemum exhibits notable antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, inhibiting a broad spectrum of bacteria and viruses. It is useful in managing respiratory tract infections and skin infections. In respiratory infections, it helps reduce inflammatory responses and alleviates symptoms such as cough and expectoration.

5. Sedative and Calming Effects

Golden Chrysanthemum also possesses sedative and mind-calming properties, making it beneficial for insomnia and anxiety triggered by emotional fluctuations or excessive stress. It is commonly combined with herbs that nourish the heart and calm the spirit—such as Ziziphus Seed (Suan Zao Ren) and Chinese Arborvitae Seed (Bo Zi Ren)—to improve sleep quality and relieve anxiety.

It is recommended to use Golden Chrysanthemum only under the guidance of a qualified healthcare practitioner; self-administration is not advised. Maintain a light, balanced diet and avoid spicy or irritating foods—including garlic, spicy hotpot, and mustard. Ensure adequate rest and avoid overexertion to safeguard overall health.