Introduction of Ye Ju Hua: Wild Chrysanthemum Flower
✵The article documents the herb Wild Chrysanthemum Flower, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical sources—two plant species: (1) Chrysanthemum indicum L. and (2) Pyrethrum lavandulifolium Fisch. ex Trevir.—and provides a detailed description of the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these two species, as well as the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the herb Wild Chrysanthemum Flower, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Yě Jú Huā
English Name: Wild Chrysanthemum Flower
Latin Name:Flos chrysanthmi Indici Properties and Flavor: slightly cold; bitter, pungent
Brief Introduction:Flos Chrysanthemi Indici is the dried capitulum (flower head) of Chrysanthemum indicum L., used to clear heat and resolve toxins for treating boils, sores, carbuncles, erysipelas, and acute conjunctivitis; it is also applied externally for eczema and pruritus. It is commonly known as Flos Chrysanthemi Indici, Wild Chrysanthemum Flower, or Yě Jú Huā.
Botanical Source:Flos Chrysanthemi Indici (Wild Chrysanthemum Flower) is the dried capitulum (flower head) of Chrysanthemum indicum L., a perennial herb belonging to the genus Chrysanthemum (commonly called mums or chrysanths), family Asteraceae (Compositae, daisy family), order Asterales. Classical herbal works—including Bencao Gangmu and Zhonghua Bencao—define this herb as derived from either (1) Chrysanthemum indicum L. or (2) Pyrethrum lavandulifolium Fisch. ex Trevir. These two commonly used species are described below:
(1) Chrysanthemum indicum L.
Botanical Description:Chrysanthemum indicum L. (syn. Dendranthema indicum (L.) Des Moul.) is commonly known as Yě Jú Huā. It is a perennial herb growing 25–100 cm tall. The rhizome is thick and fleshy, branched, and bears long or short underground stolons. The stem is erect, sometimes with a spreading base. Basal leaves are deciduous; cauline leaves are ovate (egg-shaped) or oblong-ovate, 6–7 cm long and 1–2.5 cm wide, pinnately lobed or shallowly divided; apical lobes are large; lateral lobes usually occur in two pairs, ovate or oblong, with entire or serrate margins; upper leaves gradually decrease in size; all leaves bear glandular trichomes and sparse pilosity on the adaxial surface; the abaxial surface is celadon (sage green), more densely hairy; leaf bases taper into winged petioles; stipules are serrate.
The capitulum (flower head) is 2.5–5 cm in diameter, borne terminally on stems and branches, forming corymbose panicles or irregular corymb-like inflorescences. The general involucre is 8–20 mm in diameter and 5–6 mm long; phyllaries have broad, membranous margins. Ligulate flowers are yellow and pistillate; disc florets are hermaphroditic and tubular.
Achenes are uniform in shape, bearing five extremely slender longitudinal ribs; they lack a pappus. Flowering occurs from September to October.
Ecological Environment: Wild chrysanthemum grows in grasslands on hillsides or mountain slopes, shrublands, riparian wetlands, coastal saline soils, field margins, and roadsides. This species exhibits marked morphological polymorphism, with considerable variation in vegetative and floral traits.
Growth Characteristics: Chrysanthemum indicum prefers cool, humid climates and is cold-tolerant. It thrives best in deep, loose, fertile, humus-rich loam soils. Its flowers are hermaphroditic and entomophilous. The plant requires full sun and moist (but well-drained) soil; it does not tolerate shade. As a medicinal herb, it is harvested in autumn at peak anthesis. The capitula are dried in sunlight or by gentle baking until completely desiccated, then stored in airtight containers.
Characteristics of the Herb: Capitula (flower heads) are nearly spherical, 1.5–2.5 cm in diameter, and yellowish-brown. The involucral bracts are arranged in 4–5 series; outer bracts are ovate (egg-shaped) or ovate-triangular, 2.5–3 mm long, with a celadon (sage green or grayish-green) or pale brown midportion on the outer surface—often covered with white hairs—and membranous margins; middle-layer bracts are ovate; inner-layer bracts are oblong-ovate. The involucral base bears residual peduncles. Ligulate flowers form a single whorl, yellow, shriveled and curled; when flattened, ligules measure 1–1.3 cm long, with entire apices or bearing 2–3 teeth. Disc florets are numerous and deep yellow. The herb possesses a distinctive aromatic fragrance and tastes bitter.
Pharmacological actions: (1) Hypotensive effect; (2) Antiviral and antibacterial effects: aqueous decoctions delay cytopathic effects in human embryonic kidney (HEK) primary monolayer cells infected with orphan viruses; in vitro studies show inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and Shigella spp.
Medicinal efficacy: Clears heat and resolves toxins; dispels wind and clears heat; calms the liver and subdues yang; reduces swelling and resolves toxins. It is indicated for furuncles, carbuncles, conjunctival congestion with swelling and pain, headache and dizziness, wind-heat invasion (common cold), pneumonia, diphtheria, gastroenteritis, hypertension, oral ulcers, erysipelas, eczema, dermatitis, epidemic vesicles, and pharyngeal swelling and pain.
Administration of Flos Chrysanthemi Indici (Yě Jú Huā):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Flos Chrysanthemi Indici (Yě Jú Huā)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 3–9 grams; (2) or water decoction, 0.5–2 qián (≈1.5–6 grams); or prepared as pills or powders; (3) or water decoction, 1.5–6 grams; higher dose can be up to 15–30 grams; may also be ground into fine powder and formulated into pills or powders.
Contraindications, Precautions, and Adverse Reactions: Flos Chrysanthemi Indici should be used with caution during pregnancy and in individuals with Spleen- and Stomach-deficiency-cold.
(2) Pyrethrum lavandulifolium Fisch. ex Trautv.
Botanical Description: This species is commonly known as Yán Xiāng Jú Huā (Rock-Fragrant Chrysanthemum); synonym: Dendranthema lavandulifolium (Fisch. ex Trautv.) Ling & Shih.
A perennial herb growing 0.3–1.5 m tall, bearing underground stolons. Stems are erect and profusely branched—either from the mid-section upward or exclusively on the corymb-like branches of the upper part. Stem branches are sparsely pilose; the upper portions and peduncles are somewhat more densely pilose. Basal leaves and lower cauline leaves abscise during flowering. Middle cauline leaves are ovate (egg-shaped), broadly ovate, or elliptic-ovate, 2–5 cm long and 1.5–4.5 cm wide. Leaves are bipinnatifid, deeply pinnately divided, or nearly entire; ultimate leaflets are pinnatifid or shallowly lobed. Lateral lobes occur in 2–3 (rarely 4) pairs. The uppermost leaves—or those immediately below the inflorescence—are pinnately divided, 3-lobed, or undivided. Both leaf surfaces are monochromatic or nearly concolorous; the adaxial surface is sparsely to moderately pilose or becoming glabrate; petioles of middle cauline leaves measure 0.5–1 cm and bear auricles that are either deeply incised or absent.
Capitula (flower heads) are 10–15 mm (occasionally up to 20 mm) in diameter, usually numerous, grow terminally on stem branches and arranged in loose or moderately dense compound corymbs. The general involucre is phialiform (disc-shaped), 5–7 mm in diameter. Involucral bracts are arranged in approximately five series. Outer bracts are linear or linear-oblong, ~2.5 mm long, glabrous or sparsely pilose; middle- and inner-layer bracts are ovate, oblong-ovate, or oblanceolate; all bracts are rounded at the apex, with white or sandy-beige (pale brown), membranous margins. Ligulate flowers are yellow; ligules are elliptic, 5–7.5 mm long, with entire apices or inconspicuously 2–3-toothed.
Achenes are 1.2–1.5 mm long. Flowering and fruiting occur from May to November.
Distinguishing Features Compared with Chrysanthemum indicum L.: Leaves are pinnately divided (not pinnately parted), green or pea-green (pale green), with both surfaces being sparsely pubescent; the abaxial surface is slightly shaggier. Numerous capitula are arranged terminally on stem branches, forming loose corymbs or compound corymbs; ligulate flowers are yellow.
Ecological Environment:Pyrethrum lavandulifolium Fisch. ex Trautv. (Rock-Fragrant Chrysanthemum) grows on hillsides and mountain slopes, rocky outcrops, river valleys, riparian wastelands, and loess hilly regions, at altitudes of 630–2,800 m above sea level.
Pyrethrum lavandulifolium is widely distributed and highly polymorphic—a polytypic species. Natural hybridization with Dendranthema indicum (L.) Des Moul. has been documented within overlapping distribution ranges.
Characteristics of the Herb: Capitula (flower heads) are 1–1.5 cm in diameter; involucral bracts are arranged in 4–5 series; outer bracts are linear or linear-oblong, ~2.5 mm long; middle-layer bracts are ovate, oblong-ovate, or oblanceolate. Ligulate flowers are yellow; ligules are elliptic, 5–7.5 mm long.
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1.Introduction of Ye Ju Hua: Wild Chrysanthemum Flower.
✵The article documents the herb Wild Chrysanthemum Flower, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical sources—two plant species: (1) Chrysanthemum indicum L. and (2) Pyrethrum lavandulifolium Fisch. ex Trevir.—and provides a detailed description of the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these two species, as well as the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the herb Wild Chrysanthemum Flower, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Yě Jú Huā
Botanical Description: Chrysanthemum indicum L. (syn. Dendranthema indicum (L.) Des Moul.) is commonly known as Yě Jú Huā. It is a perennial herb growing 25–100 cm tall. The rhizome is thick and fleshy, branched, and bears long or short underground stolons. The stem is erect, sometimes with a spreading base. Basal leaves are deciduous; cauline leaves are ovate (egg-shaped) or oblong-ovate, 6–7 cm long and 1–2.5 cm wide, pinnately lobed or shallowly divided; apical lobes are large; lateral lobes usually occur in two pairs, ovate or oblong, with entire or serrate margins; upper leaves gradually decrease in size; all leaves bear glandular trichomes and sparse pilosity on the adaxial surface; the abaxial surface is celadon (sage green), more densely hairy; leaf bases taper into winged petioles; stipules are serrate.
The capitulum (flower head) is 2.5–5 cm in diameter, borne terminally on stems and branches, forming corymbose panicles or irregular corymb-like inflorescences. The general involucre is 8–20 mm in diameter and 5–6 mm long; phyllaries have broad, membranous margins. Ligulate flowers are yellow and pistillate; disc florets are hermaphroditic and tubular.
Characteristics of the Herb: Capitula (flower heads) are nearly spherical, 1.5–2.5 cm in diameter, and yellowish-brown. The involucral bracts are arranged in 4–5 series; outer bracts are ovate (egg-shaped) or ovate-triangular, 2.5–3 mm long, with a celadon (sage green or grayish-green) or pale brown midportion on the outer surface—often covered with white hairs—and membranous margins; middle-layer bracts are ovate; inner-layer bracts are oblong-ovate. The involucral base bears residual peduncles. Ligulate flowers form a single whorl, yellow, shriveled and curled; when flattened, ligules measure 1–1.3 cm long, with entire apices or bearing 2–3 teeth. Disc florets are numerous and deep yellow. The herb possesses a distinctive aromatic fragrance and tastes bitter.
Botanical Description: This species is commonly known as Yán Xiāng Jú Huā (Rock-Fragrant Chrysanthemum); synonym: Dendranthema lavandulifolium (Fisch. ex Trautv.) Ling & Shih.
Capitula (flower heads) are 10–15 mm (occasionally up to 20 mm) in diameter, usually numerous, grow terminally on stem branches and arranged in loose or moderately dense compound corymbs. The general involucre is phialiform (disc-shaped), 5–7 mm in diameter. Involucral bracts are arranged in approximately five series. Outer bracts are linear or linear-oblong, ~2.5 mm long, glabrous or sparsely pilose; middle- and inner-layer bracts are ovate, oblong-ovate, or oblanceolate; all bracts are rounded at the apex, with white or sandy-beige (pale brown), membranous margins. Ligulate flowers are yellow; ligules are elliptic, 5–7.5 mm long, with entire apices or inconspicuously 2–3-toothed.
Ecological Environment: Pyrethrum lavandulifolium Fisch. ex Trautv. (Rock-Fragrant Chrysanthemum) grows on hillsides and mountain slopes, rocky outcrops, river valleys, riparian wastelands, and loess hilly regions, at altitudes of 630–2,800 m above sea level.
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