Chrysanthemum indicum
What's the taxonomical classification of Chrysanthemum indicum?
Chrysanthemum indicum belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized under the order Asterales. This plant is a member of the prominent family Asteraceae, falling specifically under the genus Chrysanthemum, with its unique biological identity defined by its species name, indicum.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Asterales |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Genus | Chrysanthemum |
| Species | indicum |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Chrysanthemum indicum has an erect or ascending perennial herbaceous habit characterized by branched stems that reach heights of 30 to 80 centimeters and leaves that are oppositely arranged, deeply lobed, and serrated. The foliage typically features long petioles and distinctively shaped blades that vary from ovate to lanceolate. Its inflorescences consist of small, yellowish-white flower heads that grow in solitary or clustered arrangements at the ends of the stems. These composite flowers are composed of numerous tiny disc florets surrounded by a ring of ray florets. The plant also develops a fibrous root system that supports its growth in various temperate environments.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to East Asia, specifically distributed across China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. It thrives in a variety of habitats ranging from temperate grasslands to mountain slopes and roadside ditches. While its primary range is concentrated in these Asian countries, it has been introduced to other regions due to its medicinal and ornamental value. Some populations have established themselves in parts of Southeast Asia where the climate remains suitable for its growth. The species is often found in disturbed soils where sunlight is abundant.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant Chrysanthemum indicum requires well-drained, loamy soil and consistent moisture levels to thrive in temperate to subtropical climates.
Growers typically initiate cultivation through seeds or stem cuttings during the spring months. To ensure vigorous growth, the plants need full sunlight and regular fertilization with balanced nutrients. Pinching back the stems during the early stages of development helps promote a bushier shape and more abundant flowering.
Proper airflow between plants is also essential to prevent common fungal diseases like powdery mildew.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant utilizes the flos, leaf, root, and stem of Chrysanthemum indicum for various medicinal applications. The dried flowers, known as flos, are most commonly prepared as a tea to reduce fever and clear heat from the body. Both the leaves and the stems are sometimes incorporated into herbal formulas to assist with inflammation or detoxification. The root is also utilized in specific traditional preparations to address different internal imbalances. Together, these distinct parts provide a versatile range of therapeutic properties.
According to a study published by "Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica", the essential oils from the Flos chrysanthemi Indici are analyzed to provide a foundation for reasonable utilization. These essential oils are extracted by using steam distillation and separated with GC capillary columns. Through the use of GC-MS and the normalization method, researchers identified 18 compounds from Guangxi, 17 compounds from Guangdong, and 20 compounds from Hubei. The study notes that there are significant differences among the components and contents of essential oils of Flos chrysanthemi Indici from the three different areas of Guangxi, Guangdong, and Hubei.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- Flos
- flower
- leaf
- root
- stem
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Chrysanthemum indicum, has been utilized for centuries within Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat inflammatory conditions and heat-related ailments. Practitioners frequently prescribe the dried flower heads to clear heat from the liver and soothe symptoms like red, swollen eyes or headaches. Beyond its medicinal applications, historical use often involved incorporating the plant into herbal teas to promote relaxation and detoxification. Various cultures also valued the species for its ability to address skin irritations and respiratory issues through topical or oral administration. These long-standing traditions continue to inform contemporary research into the plant's bioactive compounds.
According to a study published by "Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica", Chrysanthemum indicum is a medicinal plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. Human activities exert a significant constraint on the distribution of Chrysanthemum indicum, and excluding this interference expands suitable habitats by 19.3%. Under the SSP126 scenario, the area of suitable habitats is projected to have a marginal increase of 0.37% by 2100. In contrast, the SSP585 scenario projects a significant habitat contraction of 11.57%. This contraction exposes traditional highly suitable regions, such as Hunan and Guizhou provinces, to degradation risks.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Chrysanthemum indicum?
This plant has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-cancer, and antimicrobial pharmacological activities. Its diverse chemical constituents work to neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress within biological systems. These properties allow the plant to protect liver cells from chemical damage and mitigate systemic inflammation. Furthermore, certain extracts demonstrate the ability to inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms and suppress the proliferation of malignant cells. Such multi-functional capabilities make it a significant subject for modern drug development research.
According to a study published by "Chinese herbal medicines", Chrysanthemum indicum L. exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, measured via total reducing capacity, DPPH, ABTS, ·OH IC50, XOD, and LOX IC50, strengthened with drying, showing 80%WC > DS. The plant's extracts inhibited Staphylococcus aureus with a MIC of 1.560-3.125 mg/mL and Escherichia coli with a MIC of 3.125 mg/mL. Additionally, the DS group showed a larger inhibition zone against Listeria monocytogenes. The study noted that the plant did not inhibit Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Salmonella paratyphoid.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-inflammatory
- antioxidant
- hepatoprotective
- anti-cancer
- antimicrobial
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains a diverse array of medicinal compounds including flavonoids, sesquiterpenoids, and phenolic acids. These bioactive constituents work together to provide significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Within the flavonoid group, specific molecules like flavone play a crucial role in its therapeutic profile. Luteolin is another important component found in the plant that contributes to its medicinal efficacy. The presence of these various chemical structures makes the species highly valuable for pharmacological research.
According to a study published by "Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie", flavonoids are the most active and abundant components in snow chrysanthemum tea. The study identified two novel hypoglycemic compounds within the total flavonoids of snow chrysanthemum, which are sulfuretin and leptosiidin. Treatment with 12.5 μmol/L sulfuretin stimulated cellular glucose consumption, and sulfuretin at 3.125, 6.25 and 12.5 μmol/L mitigated glucose uptake damage in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells. Sulfuretin interacted with the ligand-binding pocket of PPARγ via 3 hydrogen bond interactions with the residues LYS-367, GLN-286 and TYR-477. Furthermore, a concentration of 12.5 μmol/L sulfuretin upregulated the expression of PPARγ with a potency comparable to a renowned PPARγ agonist at 20 μmol/L.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- flavonoids
- flavone
- kaempferol
- luteolin
- sesquiterpenoids
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, eye diseases, inflammation, and various liver diseases. Its bioactive compounds work to reduce systemic inflammation throughout the body. Research suggests these properties can help manage blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Additionally, the plant's medicinal qualities are often utilized to protect liver function and support overall hepatic health. It is also frequently applied to soothe and treat various eye diseases.
According to a study published by "Journal of advanced research", Chrysanthemum indicum has been used as a traditional edible medicinal herb in China for more than 2000 years. The flowers of Chrysanthemum indicum contain a total of 27 new dimeric sesquiterpenoids, specifically chryindicolides A-Z (1-26) and chrysanthemolide C (27), along with 7 known compounds. These dimeric guaianolide sesquiterpenoids are used to ameliorate hepatic steatosis by mitigating SIRT1-mediated lipid accumulation and ferroptosis. Specifically, compound 15, known as chryindicolide O, reduces de novo lipogenesis and enhances fatty acid β-oxidation in palmitic acid and oleic acid (P/O)-induced AML12 hepatocytes. This plant also significantly ameliorated liver steatosis in high-fat diet-fed zebrafish. These findings suggest that components from Chrysanthemum indicum could be developed as candidates against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- 1. NAFLD
- 2. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- 3. Type 2 diabetes
- 4. eye diseases
- 5. inflammation
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is processed into various medicinal forms including 50% ethanol extracts, essential oils, cosmetic creams, and herbal teas to utilize its bioactive properties. Researchers frequently analyze the total flavonoids of snow chrysanthemum to determine its therapeutic potency and antioxidant capacity. The essential oils extracted from the flowers are often used for their aromatic and antimicrobial qualities. Herbal teas provide a traditional method for consuming the plant to soothe inflammation and support respiratory health. Additionally, the concentrated extracts are formulated into cosmetic creams to improve skin condition and protect against oxidative stress.
According to a study published by "Biomolecules", Chrysanthemum indicum is an important medicinal and aromatic plant in China with many different preservative and pharmacological properties. Using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, a total of 71 compounds were assigned, which include 32 from hydro-distillation, 16 from steam-distillation, 31 from solvent-free microwave extraction, and 38 from supercritical fluid extraction. The major constituents of the essential oils are heptenol, tricosane, camphor, borneol, and eucalyptol. All essential oils show varying degrees of antimicrobial activity, with a minimum inhibitory concentration ranging from 0.0625 to 0.125 mg/mL. Solvent-free microwave extraction and supercritical fluid extraction are proved to be efficient and outstanding methods to extract essential oils with high yield and antimicrobial activity.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- 50% ethanol extracts
- Essential oils
- Cosmetic cream
- Herbal tea
- Total flavonoids of snow chrysanthemum
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause adverse health effects including allergic reactions, gout flare-ups, and pulmonary fibrosis. Individuals with sensitivities to the Asteraceae family may experience skin rashes or respiratory distress after exposure. Excessive consumption has been linked to increased uric acid levels, which can trigger painful gout attacks. Long-term inhalation or ingestion of certain components may also contribute to the development of pulmonary fibrosis by causing lung scarring. Therefore, careful consideration of these risks is necessary before using the plant medicinally.
According to a study published by "Contact dermatitis", cross reactions were obtained with a crude extract of Chrysanthemum indicum L. The investigation results regarding the Compositae family demonstrate that persons handling a new drug run a risk of developing an allergy after intensive contact with the plant and its constituents. While specific data for Chrysanthemum indicum L. was limited to cross-reaction results, the study notes that sensitization experiments with related sesquiterpene lactones were conducted on 5 guinea pigs. These studies involved 6 related sesquiterpene lactones to observe positive test responses.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- allergy
- gout
- pulmonary fibrosis
What herbs are paired with Chrysanthemum indicum?
This plant pairs most effectively with cooling and detoxifying herbs such as Honeysuckle, Licorice root, and Chrysanthemum morifolium to enhance its ability to clear heat and brighten the eyes.
When used to soothe the liver, it is frequently combined with Goji berries to support vision and nourish yin. Practitioners often blend it with Mint to increase its cooling properties for treating wind-heat symptoms like sore throats or headaches. For more complex formulas, it may be mixed with Peony root to balance its energetic profile.
These combinations are strategically designed to maximize the botanical's efficacy in traditional herbal practices.