Herbal Remedies ~ Chrysanthemum

The chrysanthemum, Japan's national flower, is one of the most important herbs in traditional Japanese medicine. The wild chrysanthemum is a sprawling, leafy plant with clusters of daisy like flowers at its crown.

Research has shown that chrysanthemum has an antibiotic principle which is affective in laboratory conditions against both staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria, and so is a valuable remedy against infection generally in the body.

Chrysanthemum is used for its effects on the eyes. Traditional Chinese Medicine teaches that the herb corrects imbalances in liver and kidney function that cause blurred vision, dizziness, dry red eyes, excessive tearing, or spots in front of the eyes.

This herb is also used to treat headaches accompanying infection, carbuncles, furuncles, and vertigo. Wild chrysanthemum is though to be more useful than the cultivated variety for treatment of sores abscesses, especially those of the head and back.

Chrysanthemum also contains compounds that fight staph infections of the skin.

Typical preparations includeteas, tinctures, creams, lotions. When making the tea, be sure to allow the herb to steep in hot water for no more than 10 minutes in a closed vessel, to preserve the essential oil. Chrysanthemum is often combined with self-heal (prunella) to make teas and lotions for treating infection. May also be taken as a capsule.

Read about using Chrysanthemum in organic pesticides.

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