What Are the Functional Differences Between Hangzhou White Chrysanthemum, Bud Chrysanthemum, and Tribute Chrysanthemum?
Hangbaiju, Taiju, and Gongju belong to different varieties of chrysanthemum, but Hangbaiju and Taiju are white chrysanthemums, skilled in clearing liver heat and improving eyesight; Gongju belongs to yellow chrysanthemum, and is more adept at dispersing wind-heat.
Chrysanthemum is used medicinally as the dried capitulum of the composite plant Chrysanthemum morifolium. Chrysanthemum enters the Lung meridian and can disperse wind-heat in the Lung meridian, but its power to disperse exterior pathogens is not strong. It is commonly used to treat wind-heat cold or initial stages of warm diseases with warm pathogens invading the Lung, manifested as fever, headache, cough, and other symptoms. Entering the Liver meridian, it can clear liver heat and regulate liver yang, and is therefore often used to treat headaches and dizziness caused by liver yang rising excessively. The chrysanthemum has a bitter taste and slightly cold nature, and can also clear heat and detoxify, making it useful for treating sores, carbuncles, and swellings caused by toxic heat.
Chrysanthemum is classified into "Boju," "Chuju," "Gongju," and "Hangju" based on its origin and processing methods. The best quality is characterized by intact flowers, bright colors, and strong aroma. Taiju is the superior grade of Hangbaiju, and both Hangbaiju and Taiju belong to white chrysanthemum, with the primary effects of regulating the liver, clearing liver heat, and improving eyesight. Yellow chrysanthemum is preferred for dispersing wind-heat, and Gongju, which belongs to yellow chrysanthemum, has the main effect of dispersing wind-heat in the Liver meridian and clearing liver heat to improve eyesight.
If you intend to use Hangbaiju, Taiju, or Gongju to treat illnesses, it is recommended to take medication under the guidance of a professional doctor to avoid adverse consequences from improper self-medication.
