Limited evidenceEye health

Chrysanthemum Flower

A pleasant Chinese tea flower traditionally drunk for tired, red or dry eyes. Its flavonoids have documented antioxidant activity in the laboratory, but no clinical trial has tested it for any eye complaint.

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What the science says

Benefit for tired or irritated eyes Limited evidence
A review of flavonoids in Chrysanthemum morifolium and related species summarises pharmacological effects against liver and eye diseases, drawn from cell and animal studies of luteolin, apigenin and chlorogenic acid. No randomised trial has measured eye symptoms in people drinking chrysanthemum tea.
Antioxidant and neuroprotective activity Limited evidence
A laboratory study found that Chrysanthemum morifolium extract protected HT22 neuronal cells from oxidative stress and enhanced sleep via GABAergic modulation, attributing the effect largely to luteolin-7-glucoside. These are in vitro and animal findings.
Traditional cooling use in Chinese medicine Limited evidence
Chrysanthemum is classified in traditional practice as a cooling herb for the liver and eyes, and is a standard ingredient in eye-related formulas. This is documented tradition, not tested efficacy.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseNo studied dose. Traditional preparation is 5–9 g of dried flowers infused as tea, one to three times daily; extract capsules commonly list 300–500 mg.

SafetyWidely consumed as a food-grade tea with a good safety record. Chrysanthemum belongs to the Asteraceae family, so people allergic to ragweed, mugwort or chamomile may react; contact dermatitis from handling the flowers is documented. Photosensitivity has been reported occasionally. Insufficient data in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

How to take it

TimingTiming does not matter; traditional use is a cup of the infusion one to three times daily.

With food?With or without food - it is a food-grade tea.

Worth knowingIf ragweed, mugwort or chamomile give you trouble, expect chrysanthemum to as well; contact dermatitis from handling the dried flowers is also documented.

Frequently asked questions

Is chrysanthemum tea good for your eyes?

Chrysanthemum tea is traditionally drunk for tired, red or dry eyes, but no clinical trial has tested it for any eye complaint; its flavonoids show antioxidant activity only in lab and animal studies, so the evidence is limited.

How do you make chrysanthemum tea?

Traditional chrysanthemum tea uses 5-9 g of dried flowers infused in hot water, one to three times daily, with or without food.

Can you be allergic to chrysanthemum tea?

Yes. Chrysanthemum is in the daisy family, so people allergic to ragweed, mugwort or chamomile may react, and contact dermatitis from handling the flowers is documented. Otherwise it is a food-grade tea with a good safety record.

Scientific references

Research progress on pharmacological effects against liver and eye diseases of flavonoids present in Chrysanthum indicum L., Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat., Buddleja officinalis Maxim. and Sophora japonica L
Xiong S, Xie J, Xiang F — J Ethnopharmacol, 2025
Chrysanthemum morifolium extract protects HT22 cells from oxidative stress and enhances sleep via GABAergic modulation: contribution of luteolin-7-glucoside
Kim H, Chung SH, Kim S — J Sci Food Agric, 2026

Related in Eye health

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Goji Berry Limited evidence
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AREDS2 Eye Formula Strong evidence
Eyebright Limited evidence
Meso-Zeaxanthin Moderate evidence

Herbal medicines: what the evidence says (335)