Chrysanthemum is a diverse genus of flowering plants, commonly known as mums, belonging to the Asteraceae family. These herbaceous perennials are primarily native to East Asia, with China being the center of diversity. Historically, Chrysanthemum species held significant cultural importance in China, where they were cultivated as early as the 15th century B.C. The plants were valued both as beautiful autumn-blooming ornamentals and as sources of medicinal compounds and edible material.
Health Benefits and Traditional Uses
The health properties of mums are rooted in their rich phytochemical composition, which includes compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids. Specific flavonoids like luteolin-7-glucoside, quercetin, and isorhamnetin are abundant in the flowers of species like Chrysanthemum morifolium. These compounds are responsible for the plant’s strong biological activities, notably its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the dried flowers of specific varieties, known as jú huā, have been a fundamental herb. The flowers are traditionally prepared as a brewed tea and used to treat conditions associated with “wind-heat,” such as fever and headache. Modern research has investigated these traditional uses, supporting the potential of chrysanthemum extracts to help manage inflammation and hypertension.
The anti-inflammatory properties are linked to the ability of the compounds to regulate pathways involved in the body’s immune response. The high concentration of antioxidants helps to mitigate oxidative stress, a process implicated in various chronic conditions. These benefits are primarily associated with the specific edible or medicinal varieties, often Chrysanthemum morifolium, rather than all decorative garden mums.
Practical Environmental Applications
Certain Chrysanthemum species provide significant benefits to the environment and indoor air quality. One long-standing application is their role in natural pest control. Specific varieties, such as the pyrethrum daisy (Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium), are the source of organic compounds called pyrethrins.
Pyrethrins are powerful, naturally occurring insecticides that target the nervous systems of insects, leading to rapid paralysis and death. These compounds are widely used in organic farming and household pest control because they degrade quickly when exposed to light and air. This rapid breakdown prevents long-term environmental contamination.
Mums also contribute to a healthier indoor environment, a finding highlighted by the 1989 NASA Clean Air Study. This research identified Chrysanthemum morifolium as one of the most effective plants for filtering common indoor air toxins. The plants remove harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.
Ornamental and Horticultural Value
The genus Chrysanthemum is globally celebrated for its ornamental value, particularly as a late-season bloomer that provides vibrant color when most other flowers have faded. Cultivation has led to thousands of horticultural varieties and cultivars, resulting in an enormous diversity of bloom forms. The different flower types are often categorized into distinct classes, including the Irregular Incurve, the Pompon, and the Spider forms.
These flowers are available in a broad spectrum of colors, including white, yellow, pink, red, and purple. Gardeners often distinguish between “hardy mums,” which are perennial varieties capable of surviving winter outdoors, and “florist mums,” which are typically grown as annuals or cut flowers. For decorative planting, mums thrive in moist, well-drained soil and require full sun exposure to produce profuse blooms.
Safety Considerations and Preparation
While many varieties offer benefits, it is important to handle mums with care, as some compounds can pose risks. The flowers of edible types, such as Chrysanthemum morifolium, are typically prepared for consumption by drying the flower heads for use in herbal teas. Select varieties are also used fresh in salads or steamed as a vegetable in specific culinary traditions.
For pet owners, caution is necessary because the entire Chrysanthemum plant is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The toxic principles include sesquiterpene lactones and pyrethrins, which can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, and incoordination if ingested. In humans, contact with the plant can result in contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.