How It Works
Bottom Line: Chrysanthemums are used in traditional Chinese medicine for a number of uses, but there is no proof from clinical trials that it is effective for any of these uses. It is not an effective cancer treatment.
Chrysanthemums have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, but very little laboratory research has been conducted on these flowers to determine how they exert their biological effects. It is thought that the flower causes dilation of the coronary arteries and therefore increases blood flow to the heart, but this effect has not been clearly documented in humans. The mechanism of its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and fever-reducing activities is not known. Some recent studies indicate that chrysanthemum extracts can kill cancer cells in the laboratory setting (i.e., in a test tube), but it is not known whether this effect occurs in the human body.
Purported Uses
- To treat angina
Although chrysanthemum is used to treat angina in traditional Chinese medicine, there is no proof from clinical trials that this herb is safe or effective in patients with angina.
- To prevent and treat the common cold
Although chrysanthemum is used to treat the common cold in traditional Chinese medicine, there is no proof from clinical trials that this herb can prevent or treat the common cold.
- To reduce fever
Although chrysanthemum is used as a fever reducer in traditional Chinese medicine, there is no proof from clinical trials that this herb can reduce fevers.
- To reduce high blood pressure
Although chrysanthemum is used to treat high blood pressure in traditional Chinese medicine, there is no proof from clinical trials that this herb is safe or effective in patients with high blood pressure.
Research Evidence
No clinical studies have tested chrysanthemum in humans. Chrysanthemum is one of the components in
PC-SPES, which has been used against prostate cancer in clinical trials.
Warnings
- Chrysanthemum may cause increased sensitivity to light. Patients undergoing radiation therapy should use this herb with caution.
- This product is regulated by the F.D.A as a dietary supplement. Unlike approved drugs, supplements are not required to be manufactured under specific standardized conditions. This product may not contain the labeled amount or may be contaminated. In addition, it may not have been tested for safety or effectiveness.
Do Not Take If
- You are allergic to ragweed.
- You are taking medication to lower your blood pressure (In theory, chrysanthemum may have an additive effect; use with caution).
Side Effects
- Contact dermatitis (redness, swelling, and itching of the skin)
- Hypersensitivity reaction
- Increased sensitivity to sunlight and chance of getting a sunburn
Scientific Name
Chrysanthemum morifolium, Chrysanthemum sinense, Chrysanthemum japonense
Common Name
Clinical Summary
Derived from the flower and aerial parts of the plant. Chrysanthemum is used frequently in traditional Chinese medicine. Historically applied to treat hypertension, angina, and fevers. No clinical studies evaluating efficacy in humans have been performed. Animal data suggest possible antiinflammatory and antipyretic activity
(1). Hypersensitivity and photosensitivity reactions are documented
(2) (3). Patients allergic to ragweed should avoid this herb. Chrysanthemum is one of the eight components of PC-SPES.
Purported uses
Angina
Common cold
Fever
Hypertension
Constituents
Essential oils: Bornol
Alkaloids: Stachydrine
Sesquiterpenes: Alantolactone
Glycosides: Acacetin-7-rhamnoglucose, cosmosin, acacetin-7-glucose, diosmetin-7-glucose
Flavonoids: luteolin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside and apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glucoside
Other compounds: Adenine, choline, camphor
(1) (8)
Mechanism of Action
The flower increases coronary vasodilatation and coronary blood flow, but has little effect on cardiac contractility or oxygen consumption. It reduces the capillary permeability induced by histamine and operates as an antibacterial and antipyretic agent
(1). Some studies indicate that chrysanthemum may have cytotoxic
(4) (5) and antibacterial
(6) activities. Extracts of chrysanthemum show no effect on insulin levels
(7).
Pharmacokinetics
A study done in rats showed that Luteolin and Apigenin reached the peak level at 1.1 and 3.9 hours following oral administration of 200mg/kg of Chrysanthemum morifolium extract (CME). Both the comounds were completely excreted in 72 hours after ingestion of CME.
(8)
Warnings
May cause photosensitivity.
Contraindications
Patients with allergy to ragweed should avoid this herb.
Adverse Reactions
Reported: Contact dermatitis, hypersensitivity reaction, photosensitivity
(2) (3)
Herb-Drug Interactions
Antihypertensive: Theoretically, chrysanthemum may have an additive hypotensive effect.
Lab Interactions
Blood pressure
Literature Summary and Critique
No clinical studies have been performed with chrysanthemum on humans.
References
- Huang KC. The Pharmacology of Chinese Herbs, 2nd Ed. New York: CRC Press; 1999.
- Sharma SC, Tanwar RC, Kaur S. Contact dermatitis from chrysanthemums in India. Contact Dermatitis 1989;21:69-71.
- Kuno Y, Kawabe Y, Sakakibara S. Allergic contact dermatitis associated with photosensitivity, from alantolactone in a chrysanthemum farmer. Contact Dermatitis 1999;40:224-5.
- Ukiya M, et al. Constitutents of Compositae plants III. Anti-tumor promoting effects and cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines of triterpene diols and triols from edible chrysanthemum flowers. Cancer Lett 2002;177:7-12.
- Lee JR, et al. A new guaianolide as apoptosis inhibitor from Chrysanthemum boreale. Planta Med 2001;67:585-7.
- Urzua A, Mendoza L. Antibacterial activity of fresh flower heads of Chrysantemum coronarium. Fitoterapia. 2003;74(6):606-8.
- Hussain Z, Waheed A, Qureshi RA, Burdi DK, Verspol EJ, Khan N, Hasan M. The effect of medicinal plants of Islamabad and Murree region of Pakistan on insulin secretion from INS-1 cells. Phytother Res. 2004;18(1):73-7.
- Chen T, Li L, Lu XY, et al. Absorption and excretion of luteolin and apigenin in rats after oral administration of Chrysanthemum morifolium extract. J Agric Food Chem. 2007;55:273-77.
