Benefits
Blood antioxidant markers after a high-fat meal
In a single-meal study in 37 healthy young adults, those who took a chrysanthemum extract with a high-fat drink had higher blood total antioxidant capacity over the first 2 hours and a smaller early rise in malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative damage, than with the drink alone. Other antioxidant markers did not clearly differ. The dose was not reported, and groups were formed by blood fat level rather than clearly at random.
Blood sugar and triglycerides after a high-fat meal
In the same 37-person study, blood glucose was lower at 1 hour with the extract but higher at 4 hours, and the overall area under the glucose curve did not differ between groups. Triglycerides tended to be lower at 2 and 6 hours, but not significantly, and total cholesterol did not differ. Longer daily-use trials are lacking.
Eye comfort, studied in a lutein-based blend
In a 90-day placebo-controlled trial in 360 adults with eye fatigue, a chewable tablet of lutein, zeaxanthin and blackcurrant, chrysanthemum and goji extracts improved eye-fatigue scores and tear measures. The study was run by researchers at the maker's institute, and because lutein was the dosed ingredient, the effect cannot be credited to chrysanthemum.
Uric acid handling in animal studies
In rats given diets or drugs that raise uric acid, a chrysanthemum flower oil fraction and a Boju chrysanthemum extract lowered blood uric acid and inhibited xanthine oxidase, the enzyme that makes uric acid. A small human trial of the flower oil was registered and marked completed, but it has no posted or published results.
Absorption of luteolin and apigenin from the extract
Small pharmacokinetic studies found that luteolin and apigenin from chrysanthemum extract appear in human blood and urine. In people given 20 mg per kg of extract, blood luteolin levels were higher than apigenin levels, with half-lives estimated at roughly 7 to 9 hours. These studies measured absorption, not health effects.
Mechanism of action
Luteolin glycosides dominate the flavonoid profile
Chemical analyses of Chrysanthemum morifolium flower heads find luteolin-7-O-glucoside as the major phenolic compound, along with apigenin and acacetin glycosides and chlorogenic acid. Content varies by cultivar and by how the extract is made; a resin-purified extract made in one study was about one third luteolin-7-O-glucoside (cynaroside).
Xanthine oxidase inhibition in rats
In rat models, chrysanthemum flower oil and a Boju chrysanthemum extract inhibited xanthine oxidase in the liver or blood and appeared to increase uric acid excretion through kidney transporter genes or proteins. These are animal findings and have not been confirmed in people.
Inflammatory signaling in cell studies
In mouse macrophage cells, a 1:1 infusion of Hangju chrysanthemum and wolfberry reduced nitric oxide and inflammatory messengers (TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6) triggered by bacterial endotoxin and dampened NF-kappa B and MAPK signaling. The authors credited luteolin-7-O-glucoside, acacetin-7-O-rutinoside and chlorogenic acid from the flower plus wolfberry polysaccharide. Cell results do not show effects in the body.
Clinical trials
Parallel-group, single-meal study of an Imperial chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) extract added to a liquid high-fat test meal, with blood sampled over 8 hours. It is called randomized, but the methods say the 2 groups were formed by fasting triglyceride level; no placebo drink or blinding is described. (Chen et al. 2023, Molecules)
37 healthy adults in China (mean age 25, normal weight; 19 extract, 18 meal only).
Serum total antioxidant capacity was higher at 0.5 to 2 hours and the early malondialdehyde rise was smaller with the extract; SOD and glutathione changes did not differ in the results section, although the abstract reports gains. Glucose was lower at 1 hour but higher at 4 hours, and the area under the glucose curve did not differ; triglyceride and total cholesterol differences were not significant. The extract type and dose are not stated, and the authors report a Chinese patent from the work.
Pharmacokinetic comparison of oral Chrysanthemum morifolium extract in rats, beagle dogs, mini-pigs and humans, with allometric scaling to predict human values. (Li et al. 2013, Pharmazie)
Humans given 20 mg/kg of extract (number not stated in the abstract), plus rats, dogs and mini-pigs.
In humans, dogs and mini-pigs, plasma luteolin was much higher than apigenin, unlike in rats. Predicted human half-lives were about 7.5 hours for luteolin and 9 hours for apigenin, close to the values measured in people. No health outcomes were measured.
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a chewable botanical formula at 3 lutein doses (6, 10 or 14 mg), led by researchers at the Nutrilite Health Institute with hospital and university partners. (Kan et al. 2020, Am J Clin Nutr)
360 adults with eye fatigue, in 4 groups, for 90 days.
All 3 doses lowered total eye-fatigue symptom scores and raised macular pigment optical density versus placebo; tear secretion improved at the 10 and 14 mg doses, and retinal thickness did not change. Chrysanthemum was one of 5 components, so its own contribution is unknown.
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of granules (15 g each morning) made from Rhodiola, purslane, goji, chrysanthemum and monk fruit; active and placebo granules were supplied by Huadong Medicine. (Chen et al. 2024, Front Med (Lausanne))
47 healthy college students in Hangzhou, China, randomized; 40 completed the 4-week study.
In the placebo group, higher personal fine-particle (PM2.5) exposure was linked to lower lung function measures; in the granule group these links were weaker and not statistically significant. In direct comparisons, lung function did not differ significantly between the groups at baseline, week 2 or week 4, and the 5-herb blend cannot be credited to chrysanthemum.
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 4 probiotic strains, inulin, fructooligosaccharides and Chrysanthemum morifolium extract; co-authors employed by Amway's Nutrilite Health Institute and ADM. (Li et al. 2026, Clin Nutr)
112 adults with BMI 24 to 34.9, for 12 weeks with 6 weeks of follow-up.
Visceral fat area fell more than with placebo (p = 0.048). Blood biochemistry, BMI and waist size did not change, and subcutaneous fat rose in one subgroup. With probiotics and fibers in the same product, the result cannot be credited to chrysanthemum.