A lot of people don’t use Chinese herbs because they aren’t sure what’s in them.  To demystify them, introduce them to the world and share with you all how fantastic they are, we’ve created this weekly blog.  In it, we’ll cover a new herb every week, and show how some familiar, and some not so familiar herbs are used to improve health and well being throughout Asia and other parts of the world.

Ju Hua

Latin name: Chrysanthemum morifolium

Commonly known as: Chrysanthemum flower

Ju Hua’s back story:
Ju Hua, or Chrysanthemum, is used traditionally in the West as a decorative flower,
frequently given on Mother’s Day.  It is not commonly used as food, tea or medicine.
 In China, it has been used since ancient times in food and as medicine. It is often seen as a spiritual symbol in artwork and religious iconography predominantly in China and Japan. In China it represents longevity and the season of autumn, when it flowers (British Museum, 2006)

How is Ju Hua used in Chinese Medicine?
Ju Hua is part of the “Release Exterior – Pungent Cool” category.  It is usually used for Summer colds, sore throats and fevers, within a certain context.  Otherwise, It is used for headaches, sore and inflamed eyes, conjunctivitis and visual disturbances.  To maintain eye health is is consumed as a daily tea, combined with Gou Qi Zi (Gouji berries).  It is also used as a refreshing summer iced tea to prevent heatstroke.
Try this:
  • 3-4 Chrysanthemum Flowers
  • 1 Tb Gouji berries
Place in a cup or small tea pot, add boiling water
Chinese herbs are awesome and treat a huge variety of complaints including cold and flu, fertility, digestive problems, men’s and women’s health, problems during pregnancy, chronic pain and much more. Rebecca incorporates Chinese Herbal medicine into regular acupuncture treatments, so just ask at your next appointment.
Reference
British Museum, 2009.  “A British Museum Tour – China: A Journey to the East.” (Retrieved from https://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/Chinese_symbols_1109.pdf) DOI: 24/12/2016