Library

Chengtou Chrysanthemum, Jinling Chrysanthemum, Golden Arrowhead, Jumi (Chrysanthemum Rice), Jugen (Chrysanthemum Root).

Chaju (Chrysanthemum for tea) differs from Jiaju (cultivated chrysanthemum) in that its flowers are fewer and the center is smaller. It comes in yellow and white varieties. In the Huizang area of Liangzhu, under the jurisdiction of Qiantang, Hangzhou, locals grow chrysanthemums as a livelihood. They harvest the flowers in the tenth lunar month of autumn, carry them into the city for sale. The yellow ones have names such as "Gaojiao Huang" (Tall-legged Yellow); those with purple calyces are named "Zidi Panhuan"; the white variety with thousand petals is called "Qianye Yulinglong". Tea shops in Huizhou often buy these chrysanthemums, dry them by roasting, and use them for Diancha (a Song dynasty method of preparing whisked tea powder). Chang Zhongcheng An recorded in *Huanyou Biji* (Notes on Official Travels) that chrysanthemums produced on Phoenix Mountain are not very large, have purple calyces, and taste sweet, making them excellent for Diancha. Furthermore, chrysanthemums produced around the city walls of Zhejiang Province are called Chengtou Chrysanthemum; they grow in the crevices of stone city walls and bloom in autumn. Their flowers are smaller than those of Chaju, with an aroma that refreshes the abdomen, making them even better for Diancha. These are wild varieties of Chaju, differing in taste and properties. A type of wild chrysanthemum produced in the mountains of Lin'an is called Jinling Chrysanthemum. Its flowers are small as beans, resembling Chengtou Chrysanthemum. Mountain people often collect it for pharmacies to use as Yeju (Wild Chrysanthemum), but it is actually different from true Wild Chrysanthemum. True Wild Chrysanthemum causes diarrhea when consumed, whereas Jinling Chrysanthemum does not; Wild Chrysanthemum has sparse petals, while this one has dense lateral petals, which serves as the distinction. Li Shizhen in *Bencao Gangmu* (Compendium of Materia Medica) divided chrysanthemums into cultivated and wild types, but did not mention these specific varieties. Currently, the custom in Hangzhou is to gift Chaju to guests, and its uses are extensive. I do not spare words to describe it in detail, supplementing what Li Shizhen left incomplete.

*Bai Cao Jing* (Mirror of Hundred Herbs) states: Ganju (Sweet Chrysanthemum) is Chaju. Those from Zhejiang and Jiangxi are superior, being small in shape and fragrant; those from Bozhou should not be used, as they are white and slightly odorous. Recently, chrysanthemums are produced in Jianqiao, Hangzhou; Chizhou, Anhui; Tanggongshi, Xinchang, Shaoxing; and Quzhou, Hubei. For medicinal use, shade-dried flowers should have their calyces removed. They should be administered with Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), Gouqizi (Lycii Fructus), and Digupi (Lycii Cortex) as guiding herbs. They are contraindicated with Pufferfish (Hetun) and scaleless fish. Cultivated garden chrysanthemums are large and not used medicinally; they can only be used to stuff pillows to dispel wind. Their roots are effective in treating Dingzhong (carbuncles/furuncles).

*Qunfang Pu* (Collection of Formulas) states: Also known as Zhenju, Jiaju, or Chaju. The flower color is bright yellow, small as the tip of a finger, with fine inner calyx stalks that are thin and long. The taste is sweet and pungent, and the aroma is fragrant and intense. The leaves resemble small golden bells but are sharper, with more shallow lobes. The smell resembles Mint (Bohe). Young stems are green, old stems are purple. The seeds are like Sesamoides Seeds (Tingli) but finer. Planting them also produces seedlings. Households grow them for vegetable consumption. Generally, chrysanthemum leaves are dark green, thick, and extremely bitter, sometimes hairy. Only this variety has pale green leaves and tender stems, with a slightly sweet taste. Chewing them yields superior fragrance. They can be picked to make soup or float in tea, possessing great elegance.

*Wanli Jiashan County Annals* state: Flowers with yellow petals and purple stems are Sweet Chrysanthemum, of the best quality. Wild chrysanthemums grow in clusters, have small flowers, and a cool nature; cultivated chrysanthemums have large flowers, but their qi is not concentrated.

Yellow Chaju with purple calyces is the best. It brightens the eyes and dispels wind, searches out Liver Qi, treats dizziness and vertigo, nourishes blood and moistens dryness, and enters the Blood level.

*Food Suitability and Taboos* state: Yellow chrysanthemum is Sweet Chrysanthemum. It tastes bitter and slightly sweet, has a neutral nature, benefits the Lung and Kidney, dispels wind and clears heat, nourishes blood and protects the eyes, and clears dizziness and wind-headache.

White Chaju, especially the thousand-petal variety, promotes Lung Qi, stops cough and reverse flow of Qi, clears stagnant fire in the Triple Burner, treats skin heat, and enters the Qi level. Its roots treat carbuncles, throat carbuncles, and throat lichen.

Chaju produced in Haining is named Jinjing Yulan gan (Golden Well Jade Railing). Its flower center is yellow and edges are white, making it excellent for Diancha.

*Shenghui Fang* (Holy惠民 Formula) states: Although Yellow Sweet Chrysanthemum can dry dampness and dispel wind, it may also assist fire and leak Qi. It has a neutral nature, specifically enters the Yang level, treats various head dizziness, resolves alcohol toxicity, and treats carbuncles and traumatic injuries.

Wang Ruanting in *Juyi Lu* (Records of Living Ease) records: Wu Ying, the Military Commissioner of Sichuan, said he once obtained a secret formula for treating traumatic injuries. Even if severely injured and near death, as long as a thread of breath remains, drinking it will cause immediate recovery. The formula involves collecting wild chrysanthemums in the eleventh lunar month, including stems and leaves, and drying them in the shade. When using, take 1 liang, add 1 bowl of child's urine and 1 bowl of unadulterated wine, decoct together, and drink hot.

Li Xiao Yan Fang (Immediate Effective Formula) for Hongsi Ding (Red Thread Carbuncle/Acute Lymphangitis): Use white chrysanthemum leaves without white spots, or other chrysanthemums. If there are no leaves in winter, use the roots. Add a small amount of Realgar (Xionghuang) and two slugs (Yanyou). Tie tightly with a silk strip at the end of the red streak. By the next night, it will clear up. Truly a miraculous formula.