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Non-toxic. Grows in clusters.

Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua) [Source: *Shennong Bencao Jing*] treats wind-head dizziness and swelling/pain, a sensation of eyes wanting to protrude, tearing, dead skin tissue, aversion to wind-dampness, and bi-syndrome. Long-term consumption benefits blood and qi, lightens the body, delays aging, and extends longevity.
(Above text in red characters from *Shennong Bencao Jing*) Treats lower back pain, relieves a lingering, dizzy discomfort, clears heat and irritability in the chest, harmonizes the stomach and intestines, benefits the five pulses, and regulates the four limbs. (Below text in black characters recorded by famous physicians)

[Aliases] Jie Hua, Ri Jing, Nü Jie, Fu Yan Nian, Geng Sheng, Zhou Ying, Nü Hua, Hui Feng Ju, Yin Cheng, Yu Ying, Nü Jing, Cai Ku Hao, Rong Cheng, Jin Jing, Chang Sheng, Di Wei Hao, Yang Huan Cao.

[Seedlings] (*Tujing Bencao* records): Seedlings emerge close to the ground in early spring, flourish in summer, and bloom only in late autumn. However, there are two types of chrysanthemum: one has purple stems, fragrant odor, and sweet taste; its leaves can be used for soup. This is the true chrysanthemum. The other type has green, large stems, and fine leaves resembling mugwort and wormwood; it has a bitter taste and smell and is inedible. It is called Ku Yi (Bitter Mugwort) and is not the true chrysanthemum. Their leaves look similar; they are distinguished only by their sweet and bitter tastes. There are also two types in Nanyang: White Chrysanthemum has large leaves resembling mugwort, green stems, thin roots, white flowers, and yellow pistils. Yellow Chrysanthemum has leaves resembling crown daisy, with entirely yellow flowers and pistils. However, those who practice medicinal diet currently mostly use white chrysanthemum. In Nanjing, there is another variety that blooms small flowers with small beads under the petals, resembling fruit, called Zhuzi Ju (Pearl Chrysanthemum). Harvesting its fruits in November for medicinal use is also excellent. (*Yanyi* records): There are dozens of chrysanthemum varieties. Only those with single leaves, small yellow flowers, deep green, small, thin leaves, and blooming according to the season are suitable for medicinal use. These are what *Yueling* refers to as "chrysanthemum with yellow flowers."

[Origin] (*Tujing Bencao* records): Grows in the rivers and marshes of Yongzhou, as well as in the mountains, valleys, and fields of Nanyang. Also found in Nanjing, Chuanru, Shangdang, Jian'an, Shunzheng Commandery, and Henei. Now available everywhere. The best geographical origin is Juzhong in Nanyang.

[Season] (Growth) Seeds sprout in spring. (Harvest) Harvest roots in the first lunar month, leaves in the third, stems in the fifth, and flowers in the ninth.

[Storage] Dry in the shade.

[Selection] Flowers and pistils that are sweet and beautiful are preferred.

[Texture] Resembles *Inulae Flos* (Xuan Fu Hua).

[Color] Yellow, white.

[Taste] Sweet.

[Nature] Mild and even.

[Aroma/Qi] Thin qi, belonging to yin within yang.

[Odor] Fragrant.

[Main Action] Dispels wind and brightens the eyes.

[Adjuvants] Water, *Lycii Cortex* (Gou Qi Gen), *Morus Albae Cortex* (Sang Bai Pi) act as guides/adjuvants.

[Therapeutic Effects] (Treatment) (*Yaoxing Lun* states): Hot wind-head causing dizziness and falling, bone pain in the brain/cranium, various wind pathogens in the body. (*Rihuazi Bencao* states): Wandering wind in the four limbs, benefits blood vessels, irritability, oppression/stuffiness in the chest and diaphragm, carbuncles/toxins, headache. (*Mingyi Bielu* states): Wind-head, dizziness, tumultuous feeling in the chest, tearing, wind-bi causing bone and muscle pain. Using pillows to treat wind-heat of the head and eyes. ○ Crushed leaf juice treats ding-sores (hard boils); miraculous effect even in critical conditions.

[Tonification] (*Rihuazi Bencao* states): Drinking water collected from the flowers benefits complexion and strengthens yang.

[Combined Formulas] Take three jin of White Chrysanthemum, store in a raw silk bag, soak in three dou of wine for seven days. Consume three times daily. Treats men and women suffering long-term from wind-head dizziness and oppression, dry/falling hair, phlegm accumulation in the chest. Upon onset, there is dizziness, dim vision, and an unconscious desire to fall. ○ Combine White Chrysanthemum with Sesamum indicum (Ju Sheng/Hong Ma Zi), Poria (Fu Ling), and honey to make pills. Mainly treats wind-dizziness, improves complexion to become fair/white, prevents aging. ○ Equal parts of Sweet Chrysanthemum leaves, stems, and roots are pounded a thousand times daily into powder. Mix with wine and take one qian, or mix with honey to make pills the size of paulownia seeds. Take seven pills with wine, three times daily. Lightens the body, adds luster, brightens eyes, and darkens facial hair. ○ On the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, harvest chrysanthemum, grind into powder, and drink one fangcun bi with wine to treat drunkenness that does not wake up.