Ye Ju Hua (Wild Chrysanthemum Flower – Chrysanthemum indicum L.) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb valued for its heat-clearing, detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, and liver-soothing properties. Bitter in taste and cooling in nature, it is commonly used to treat disorders caused by Wind-Heat, helping to cool the Liver, brighten the eyes, regulate blood pressure, and reduce inflammation. Modern pharmacological studies have identified bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, sesquiterpene lactones, and essential oils that exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, and hepatoprotective effects. Ye Ju Hua also supports digestive health by modulating gut microbiota, alleviating swelling, promoting wound healing, and improving skin conditions. Traditionally, it is prescribed for boils, carbuncles, pharyngitis, dermatitis, hepatitis, and hypertension, while helping to purify the body, calm the mind, and relieve irritability. As a cooling and detoxifying herb, Wild Chrysanthemum Flower plays a vital role in classical formulas for clearing Heat and toxins from the body. It is particularly beneficial for individuals with excess internal heat, inflammation, or toxin accumulation. Regular use in appropriate amounts may help strengthen immunity, protect the liver, promote skin health, and delay cellular aging, making it both a therapeutic and preventive herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
HERBAL NAME: Ye Ju Hua
Common English Name: Wild Chrysanthemum Flower
Pharmaceutical/Botanical Name: Chrysanthemum indicum L. (Chrysanthemi Indici Flos)
Family: Asteraceae
STORAGE:
The dried flowers are prone to mold and insects; therefore, they should be stored in a dry place. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, as it can cause color fading, petal breakage, and loss of aroma.
PROPERTIES:
Taste: sweet, slightly bitter
Nature: neutral
MERIDIAN ENTRY:
Lung, Liver, Heart, Gallbladder, Spleen, Stomach, Small Intestine, Large Intestine.
THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS AND INDICATIONS:
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chrysanthemum indicum (Wild Chrysanthemum Flower) nourishes Yin. The flower is used to treat disorders caused by Wind invasion, with functions of releasing the exterior, clearing Heat, relieving fever, eliminating internal Heat and chest oppression, dispelling Wind-Heat from common cold, calming the Liver, lowering blood pressure, detoxifying, and treating rheumatism. In addition, it possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and antihypertensive properties.
It helps calm the spirit and is used for patients with neurasthenia of the hyperexcitable type, often caused by emotional stress. The therapeutic approach focuses on reducing excitation and tranquilizing the mind. Indicated for neurasthenia, insomnia, dizziness, and vertigo.
Used for Wind-Heat type common cold with symptoms of fever, headache, cough, thirst, red and painful eyes, discomfort, and tearing.
Helps darken the hair, strengthen the teeth, and treat lower back pain and generalized edema.
Used for hypertension and arteriosclerosis, promotes blood circulation, enhances vitality and alertness, counteracts aging, and prolongs life.
Clears the Liver and improves vision. Supports digestive health through hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects in the intestinal tract, while regulating gut microbiota.
Treats carbuncles, furuncles, abscesses, external otitis, necrotic tissue, and dermatological conditions such as numbness or loss of skin sensation. Helps fade scars and prevents rashes. For burns and skin eruptions, external applications or essential oil of chrysanthemum can help stabilize the skin.
Antibacterial and antiviral effects: Decoction of Chrysanthemum indicum in laboratory studies showed inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus, β-hemolytic Streptococcus, Shigella sonnei, and Salmonella typhi.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS:
Flavonoids: luteolin, apigenin, acacetin, quercetin, kaempferol, linarin (acacetin-7-O-rutinoside), rutin (quercetin-3-O-rutinoside), chrysoeriol, isorhamnetin, diosmetin, vicenin-2, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, acacetin-7-O-glucoside.
Phenolic Acids: chlorogenic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (isochlorogenic acid A), 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid (isochlorogenic acid B), 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (isochlorogenic acid C), caffeic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, protocatechuic acid, vanillic acid, gallic acid.
Sesquiterpene Lactones and Terpenoids: germacranolide, eudesmanolide, costunolide, dehydrocostus lactone, chrysanthediol, chrysanthemol, β-caryophyllene, α-humulene, β-farnesene, β-cadinene, caryophyllene oxide, cadinol, nerolidol.
Polysaccharides and Glycosides: containing monosaccharides such as rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, mannose, glucose; derivatives include carboxymethyl-chrysanthemum polysaccharide (CMCI). The glycoside fraction contains multiple flavonoid and phenolic glycosides in both O-glycoside and C-glycoside forms.
Volatile Oil: 0.1–0.5 % of dry weight; main components include α-pinene, β-pinene, camphene, 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), limonene, linalool, β-caryophyllene, α-terpineol, myrcene, caryophyllene oxide.
Sterols, Alkaloids, and Others: β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, succinic acid, citric acid, malic acid, gallic acid, tannins, trace minerals (Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu, Se), and minor quantities of alkaloids and saponins.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION:
8–10 g per day, used as decoction, infusion, or for external application.
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Contraindicated for individuals with Spleen–Stomach Yang deficiency or headache due to Wind-Cold.
Beyond its therapeutic value, Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum indicum L.) contributes ecological functions involving floral resources and pollinator interactions:
Wild Chrysanthemum provides medicinal resources while contributing to floral food availability for insects, particularly certain bee species. Responsible harvesting helps balance medicinal production and pollinator support.
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