Xiao Xiang Chrysanthemum

Xiao Xiang Chrysanthemum

Xiao Xiang Chrysanthemum is a product with geographical indication status for agricultural goods.

　　Xiao Xiang Chrysanthemum, also known as Xiao Xiang Wild Chrysanthemum or Mountain Chrysanthemum, is an excellent variety of wild chrysanthemum. Its external appearance is very similar to that of ordinary wild chrysanthemums. The biggest difference is that when ordinary wild chrysanthemums are brewed, the resulting tea is bitter and astringent, hard to drink, with a smell that induces nausea, and a taste that can cause vomiting when held in the mouth or discomfort after drinking. In contrast, Xiao Xiang Chrysanthemum is entirely different—its brewed tea is fragrant, sweet to the taste, and leaves one feeling refreshed and energized all over after just one sip. Even some time after drinking, the lingering sweetness and fragrance remain in the mouth.

　　Good news has come from the National Ministry of Agriculture: “Xiao Xiang Chrysanthemum,” applied for by Gongyi City, has officially passed the national review after more than a year of processes including regional confirmation, origin testing, quality assessment, provincial evaluation, and application submission. This means that “Xiao Xiang Chrysanthemum” will become the first agricultural product in Gongyi City to receive national geographical indication registration, and its name will be protected by law.

　　Plant Morphology

　　Xiao Xiang Chrysanthemum is a perennial herb that can grow up to about 200 cm. It has slender, branched rhizomes with long or short underground stolons. The stems are erect or spreading at the base, with many branches toward the upper part. The leaves are alternate, triangular in shape, 3–9 cm long, pinnately lobed, with serrated edges on the lobes, and hairy on both sides, denser underneath. Upper leaves gradually become smaller. The flower heads are 2–2.5 cm in diameter, arranged in corymbs; the involucre is hemispherical, with membranous margins, the outer layer being elliptical. The flowers are small, golden yellow, with yellow ligulate florets around the edge. The flowering period is from September to October, and in shaded areas, it can extend to November.

　　Growing Region

　　It is understood that the versatile Xiao Xiang Chrysanthemum is only produced in a small area to the west of the road in Xiao Xiang Village, Luzhuang Town, Gongyi City, Henan Province, and its immediate vicinity. A stream runs through Xiao Xiang, and the wild chrysanthemums within the gully are fragrant and delicious. However, those grown just across the gully to the north and other areas have a completely different taste, often being bitter. The growing area of Xiao Xiang Chrysanthemum is clearly visible on satellite images—within a triangle outlined in white, there is a clear stream with dense vegetation, a creek running through it, and golden yellow flowers visible along the edges of the gully, the bottom of the stream, the creek banks, nearby fields, orchards, and even the corners of houses.

　　Harvesting and Processing Methods

　　Harvest when the flowers first bloom in autumn and winter, then dry in the sun or steam before drying, and seal in a vacuum.

　　Chrysanthemum Shape

　　The flower heads are nearly spherical, 2–2.5 cm in diameter, golden yellow. The involucre consists of 4–5 layers of bracts. There is one row of yellow ligulate florets, wrinkled and curled; the tubular florets are numerous, dark yellow, lightweight, with a fragrant aroma and sweet taste.

　　Chemical Components

　　Contains volatile oil, which includes chrysol, chrysanthenone, α-pinene, camphor, borneol, and camphene, as well as yejunualactone, artoglasin-A, acaciin, linarin, chrysanthemum glycosides, and luteolin. It is rich in amino acids, flavonoids, vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and other trace elements.

　　Medical Effects

　　According to Compendium of Materia Medica, wild chrysanthemum has effects such as “clearing heat and detoxifying, nourishing liver and improving vision, activating blood circulation and dredging collaterals, resisting epidemic diseases, regulating the five internal organs, moistening the six bowels, soothing the heart and improving brain function, and prolonging life.” According to the Quality Inspection Report on Geographical Indication Agricultural Products of the People’s Republic of China, the linarin content in this chrysanthemum reaches 1.24%, higher than that of ordinary chrysanthemums, giving it unique effects in anti-aging and anti-fatigue.

　　Pharmacological Functions

　　Its pharmacological functions include clearing heat and detoxifying, reducing swelling. It inhibits Staphylococcus aureus, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Streptococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella, and influenza virus.

　　Bacteria Killer

　　Xiao Xiang Wild Chrysanthemum contains active components such as chrysol, yejunualactone, amino acids, and trace elements. Its water extract has a significant protective effect on the cardiovascular system, can increase cardiac output, enhance myocardial oxygen supply, and protect the normal physiological function of ischemic myocardium. The water extract and the blue-green volatile oil extracted by steam distillation from Xiao Xiang Wild Chrysanthemum can kill or inhibit various pathogenic bacteria and viruses. The water extract shows stronger inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhi than the volatile oil. It also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic effects.

　　Clinical Uses

　　1. Preventing colds: Soak wild chrysanthemum in boiling water for 1 hour, decoct for 30 minutes, and take the liquid orally. Adults take 2 qian (approx. 6–7 grams) each time, children take a reduced amount. Generally, administer once a month. Those who usually have 3–5 colds per year should take it every two weeks, and frequent cold sufferers should take it weekly. Compared with the incidence rate during the same period the previous year among 100 people who took the medicine, the incidence dropped by 13.2%. Compared with 261 neighboring residents with similar living conditions who did not take the medicine, the incidence was also significantly lower. Additionally, a comparison was made between 19 patients with chronic bronchitis before and after taking the medicine—the recurrence rate was 100% the previous year, but dropped to 38% after medication.

　　2. Treating respiratory inflammation, etc.: Use 100% wild chrysanthemum injection, 2–4 ml each time, every six hours. Treated 40 cases of upper respiratory tract infection, with 35 cured and 1 improved; 20 cases of tonsillitis, 18 cured; 20 cases of bronchitis, 5 cured and n improved. Fever generally subsided within 1–2 days after medication. Another treatment used 50% injection, 2–3 ml injected intramuscularly daily, for 81 cases of toxic tonsillitis and other acute inflammations (including bronchitis, pneumonia, endometritis, adnexitis, gingival infections, etc.), with a cure rate of 49.4% and an effectiveness rate of 95%.

　　3. Treating cervicitis, etc.: After rinsing, apply powdered wild chrysanthemum to the cervix once a day, for 3–5 days as one course of treatment. Treated 11 cases of chronic cervicitis, 7 cured. Or use wild chrysanthemum injection for local treatment, observing 43 cases of cervicitis, vaginitis, and vulvar ulcers, with an effectiveness rate of 90.7% and a cure rate of 35%.

　　4. Treating boils and abscesses: Adults take 3–5 liang (approx. 150–250 grams) of fresh wild chrysanthemum daily, decocted and taken in two doses, or crush to extract about 100 ml of juice and take it at once. Can also crush and apply to the affected area, changing when slightly dry. For multiple boils on the body and face, if external application is inconvenient, decoct water for local soaking.

　　5. Treating hypertension: Make wild chrysanthemum into a fluid extract, with 2g of crude drug per ml, and add simple syrup to make 5 ml. Take 10 ml each time, three times a day. Preliminary observation of 35 cases of stage I and II hypertension showed an efficacy rate of 68.57%, including 17.14% marked efficacy, 51.43% mild efficacy, and 31.43% ineffective. It also had some effect on symptom improvement, with over half of the cases showing improvement in insomnia, head distension, headache, and dizziness.

　　Tea Brewing Method

　　Take 10–15g of Xiao Xiang Chrysanthemum, place it in a cup, and brew with boiling water. You can also add an appropriate amount of rock sugar, goji berries, or hawthorn slices to brew together. People with cold stomachs or pale complexion should not consume chrysanthemum. For other healthy individuals, 3–5g of chrysanthemum once or twice a day is sufficient. Chrysanthemum tea should not be consumed long-term; continuous consumption should not exceed two months. If loose stools or pale complexion occur during this period, stop drinking.

　　Other Applications

　　Many traditional Chinese patent medicines contain wild chrysanthemum. Xiao Xiang chrysanthemum can also be used as a vegetable—the tender stems and leaves can be served cold, stir-fried with meat, or used in medicinal cuisine. Pillows made from wild chrysanthemum emit a refreshing fragrance and have the effects of dispelling wind, clearing heat, and improving vision. Developed products include Wild Chrysanthemum Buckwheat Health Pillows and Wild Chrysanthemum Pillows. It should be noted that wild chrysanthemum is slightly cold in nature. Long-term consumption or excessive use by the general population may harm the yang energy of the spleen and stomach, potentially causing gastrointestinal discomfort such as stomach upset, poor appetite, intestinal rumbling, and loose stools. Therefore, it is not suitable for individuals with a cold spleen and stomach or for pregnant women.

　　Xiao Xiang Chrysanthemum

　　Geographical Scope

　　The geographical indication protection area for the Xiao Xiang Chrysanthemum agricultural product spans the following coordinates: 112°84'72" to 112°90'67" east longitude and 34°55'64" to 34°61'12" north latitude. The area extends east to the Hui-Lu Highway, west to National Highway 207 (east of Fudian Village, Yanshi City), south to the northwest of Zhaocheng Village, and north to Huge Gully. It covers the villages of Nancunzhai, Sihe, Xiao Xiang, Dongzhuang, and Zhaocheng, stretching 10 kilometers from east to west and 2.5 kilometers from north to south, covering an area of approximately 3,000 acres with an annual yield of 600 tons. The Xiao Xiang Chrysanthemum planting area features distinct seasons, abundant sunshine, and a terrain that is higher in the east and lower in the west. The soil is deep, water conservation measures are effective, and the ecological environment is excellent. The patterns of ecological factors such as soil, light, heat, and rainfall align well with the growth cycle of chrysanthemums. With superior soil fertility, water, and air quality, this is an ideal region for producing high-quality, pollution-free agricultural products. “Xiao Xiang Chrysanthemum Vision-Enhancing Tea, its benefits promoted far and wide; grains harvested and processed year-round, yet crafted with great care.” “Ji Han’s Xiao Xiang Chrysanthemum weaves a splendid scene, the lofty Song Mountain forged by heaven; gentle breezes and bright skies make it ever pleasant, as Xiao Xiang Chrysanthemum spreads its fine reputation.” These verses best depict the unique geological and pristine ecological environment of Xiao Xiang Chrysanthemum.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Characteristics: Gongyi Xiao Xiang Chrysanthemum is yellow in color, round in shape, small in size, fragrant in aroma, and has a slightly sweet and bitter taste. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Testing by the Ministry of Agriculture's Agricultural Product Quality Supervision and Inspection Testing Center (Zhengzhou) shows that Xiao Xiang Chrysanthemum contains 123–135 IU/100g of vitamin A, 1370–1400 mg/kg of magnesium, and 7320–7380 mg/kg of calcium. 3. Safety Requirements: The production environment must comply with the standards outlined in the "Pollution-Free Food Edible Chrysanthemum Growing Environment Conditions" (NY5120—2002), and product quality must meet the "Pollution-Free Food Edible Chrysanthemum" (NY5119—2002) standards. The use of unregistered or nationally prohibited agricultural inputs is forbidden. Standardized production practices are enforced to ensure the safety and quality of Xiao Xiang Chrysanthemum.