Indian Chrysanthemum

The Indian Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema indicum), also known as the Chinese chrysanthemum, is a perennial, herbaceous plant from the daisy family (Asteraceae). Originally native to East Asia, it grows mainly in China, Japan, and Korea, where it has been used for centuries both as an ornamental plant and in traditional medicine. Its golden-yellow, often fragrant flowers appear in late fall and are a symbol of longevity, constancy, and inner calm in East Asian culture. In China, it is considered one of the "Four Noble Plants" and is a firm fixture of numerous poems, works of art, and tea ceremonies.

In folk medicine, Dendranthema indicum is not only valued for its beauty – it also plays an important role in nutrition and phytotherapy, for example as an ingredient in chrysanthemum tea, which is known for its refreshing and health-promoting properties.

What benefits does the Indian Chrysanthemum offer for health?

While the Indian Chrysanthemum is used in traditional medicine for numerous problems, no definitive statements about the plant's effects can be made so far. Even though results to date point to medicinal potential, they are not simply transferable and should therefore be viewed critically. Here are some of the current findings:

  • Anti-inflammatory: Extracts from the flowers contain flavonoids and other secondary plant compounds that showed inflammation-regulating effects in laboratory studies (1,2,3).
  • Antioxidant: The plant is rich in phenolic compounds that neutralize free radicals and can thus protect cells from oxidative stress (1,3).
  • Antimicrobial effect: Studies suggest that the Indian Chrysanthemum has antimicrobial properties that could help against various pathogens (1,3)
  • Anti-diabetes - anti-obesity effects: D. indicum has also been investigated for its potential effects against obesity as well as for its ability to relieve eye fatigue (3,4).
  • Anticarcinogenic effects: Scientific investigations point to a positive effect in cancer diseases, though this needs to be researched more thoroughly (1,3)
  • Gastrointestinal health: The herb is traditionally used to soothe the stomach and intestines, and studies suggest that it could have gastroprotective effects (1).
  • Functional cosmetics: Results of scientific studies suggest that the water extract of C. indicum could be used as a natural skin-brightening agent for functional cosmetic applications due to its melanin-reducing effect (5).
  • Neuroprotective effects: Studies link the plant to a multifactorial neuroprotective effect (6)

How does the Indian Chrysanthemum work in the body?

The health effects of the Indian Chrysanthemum are mainly attributed to its high concentration of flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic acids. These substances set a whole series of different processes in motion in the human body (1).

Are there any risks or side effects?

  • Allergies: As a member of the daisy family, Dendranthema indicum can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
  • Not sufficiently researched: The plant's effects have not been sufficiently researched, which is why taking it without medical supervision is not advised.

Conclusion

The Indian Chrysanthemum is far more than a decorative fall flower – it is a time-honored medicinal plant with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial potential discovered in studies to date. It holds high symbolic and practical value, especially in East Asian culture. While scientific research is delivering initial promising findings, a large part of its reputation still rests on centuries of experience. Further studies are needed to clearly substantiate its effects and the limits of its use.

Sources:

  1. Rushendran, R., Chitra, V., Kaliappan, I., Pathak, S., & Dhanasekaran, M. (2025). A review on medicinal profile of Chrysanthemum indicum: Network analysis. Health Sciences Review, 16, 100239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hsr.2025.100239
  2. Yang, B., Sun, D., Sun, L., Cheng, Y., Wang, C., Hu, L., Fang, Z., Deng, Q., & Zhao, J. (2023). Water Extract of Chrysanthemum indicum L. Flower Inhibits Capsaicin-Induced Systemic Low-Grade Inflammation by Modulating Gut Microbiota and Short-Chain Fatty Acids. Nutrients, 15(5), 1069. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15051069
  3. Mohamad, N. V., & Zahari, C. N. M. C. (2024). Biological activities of Chrysanthemum morifolium and Chrysanthemum indicum: Molecular prospective. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 14(11), 29–41. https://doi.org/10.7324/JAPS.2024.171645
  4. Cha, J. Y., Nepali, S., Lee, H. Y., Hwang, S. W., Choi, S. Y., Yeon, J. M., Song, B. J., Kim, D. K., & Lee, Y. M. (2018). Chrysanthemum indicum L. ethanol extract reduces high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice. Experimental and therapeutic medicine, 15(6), 5070–5076. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2018.6042
  5. Choi, K. T., Kim, J. H., Cho, H. T., Lim, S. S., Kwak, S. S., & Kim, Y. J. (2016). Dermatologic evaluation of cosmetic formulations containing Chrysanthemum indicum extract. Journal of cosmetic dermatology, 15(2), 162–168. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12211
  6. Dahiya, D. P., Thakur, A., Sankhyan, A., & Abhishek. (2025). Chrysanthemum indicum: An insight into its phytochemistry and pharmacological activities. Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies, 13(3), 59–62.[ https://www.plantsjournal.com/archives/2025/vol13issue3/PartA/13-2-44-496.pdf