Ju Hua - Lab Tested, 1lb

Ju Hua, commonly known as Chrysanthemum Flower, is a sweet and bitter, slightly cold Chinese herb classified among cool, acrid herbs that release the Exterior. Its pharmaceutical Latin name is Flos Chrysanthemi. Ju Hua enters the Lung and Liver channels and is traditionally used to disperse Wind, clear Heat, calm the Liver, brighten the eyes, extinguish Wind, resolve toxicity, and promote the movement of Heart Qi and Blood.

Disperses Wind and Clears Heat

Ju Hua is traditionally used for Wind-Heat associated with a common cold or Warm pathogen disease and is considered one of the prominent remedies for Wind-Heat. It may also be prepared as a beverage when Wind-Heat or Blood Heat is present.

Traditional descriptions note that Ju Hua can ascend or descend and can drain or tonify, reflecting the range of actions attributed to the herb. The plant flowers in the fall, a characteristic traditionally associated with its ability to treat Wind.

Calms the Liver and Clears the Eyes

Ju Hua calms the Liver and clears the eyes. It is traditionally used for dry, swollen, or painful eyes due to Wind-Heat in the Liver channel or Liver Yang Rising. It is also used for spots in front of the eyes, blurred vision, and dizziness associated with Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency, as well as Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency accompanied by heatstroke.

Different varieties of Chrysanthemum Flower have distinct traditional emphases. White Chrysanthemum, Bai Ju Hua, is considered better than other varieties for nourishing the Liver and clearing the eyes. It is most often used for diminished vision associated with Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency.

Yellow Chrysanthemum, Huang Ju Hua, has stronger Wind-Heat dispersing, Fire-draining, and toxicity-resolving properties. It is most often used for eye redness and headache associated with Wind-Heat.

Calms Liver Yang and Extinguishes Wind

Ju Hua calms Liver Yang and extinguishes Wind. Traditional indications include Liver Wind with dizziness, headache, and deafness, as well as Liver Yang Rising associated with Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency. Hypertension is also included among its traditional indications.

Traditional notes rank Ju Hua among prominent remedies used for systemic hypertension and coronary disease. This application sits alongside its broader traditional role in calming the Liver, extinguishing Wind, and supporting the movement of Heart Qi and Blood.

Resolves Toxicity and Supports Blood Movement

Ju Hua is traditionally described as detoxifying or purifying the Blood and is used for toxic sores and swellings. Its mild toxicity-resolving action is also associated with toxic swellings, boils, and furuncles.

Ju Hua promotes the movement of Heart Qi and Blood and stimulates Blood circulation. This action is traditionally applied when Heart Qi and Blood Stagnation are present.

Ju Hua and Sang Ye

Ju Hua and Sang Ye share Wind-Heat and Liver-related applications but have different emphases. Ju Hua is described as tonifying the Lungs and Kidneys and is stronger than Sang Ye at calming the Liver and brightening the eyes. Ju Hua also has a mild ability to resolve toxicity, which accounts for its traditional use with toxic swellings, boils, and furuncles.

Sang Ye excels at calming Liver Wind and disseminating Lung Qi. It is stronger at spreading and dispersing than Ju Hua and is traditionally described as moistening the Lungs, stopping coughs, cooling the Blood, and stopping bleeding.

Prepared Forms of Chrysanthemum Flower

Dry-fried Chrysanthemum Flower, Chao Ju Hua, is traditionally used to calm the Liver and clear the eyes when the Spleen and Stomach are weak. This preparation allows the eye- and Liver-focused actions of Ju Hua to be used in individuals for whom the unprocessed herb may be less suitable because of digestive weakness.

Charred Chrysanthemum Flower, Ju Hua Tan, is described as entering the Blood, where it settles Wind and quiets the Blood. It is commonly combined with Zhi He Shou Wu, Nu Zhen Zi, Ci Ji Li, and Gou Qi Zi for dizziness, tinnitus, and pain in the eyeballs associated with Blood Deficiency generating Wind.

Traditional Use Considerations

Large doses should not be used in patients with Qi Deficiency, poor appetite, Stomach Cold, or diarrhea. Ju Hua is contraindicated when Yang Deficiency or Cold is present.