Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema morifolium)
Flowers and leaves of the chrysanthemum herb are commonly consumed as tea and vegetables, respectively, in Chinese culture. Chrysanthemum is traditionally known for its high antioxidant capacity that promotes overall health.
Modern research, however, has begun to unravel the anticancer properties of chrysanthemum. Several compounds in chrysanthemum (i.e., luteolin, chlorogenic acid, rutin, quercetin, and apigenin) have been identified as binders of estrogen and progesterone receptors of breast cancer cells. Occupying such receptors would prevent the breast tumour from exploiting the body’s hormonal signals to grow. Moreover, treating prostate cancer cells with chrysanthemum extracts has been shown to trigger widespread apoptotic cell death. Chrysanthemum extracts have also been found to exert anticancer effects in gastric, colon, liver, lung, and bone cancer cells.
Interestingly, chrysanthemum has a unique ability to reverse the drug resistance of cancer cells, which is a major hindrance to successful chemotherapy. Two studies have found that chrysanthemum treatment sensitised multidrug-resistant breast cancer cells to doxorubicin and docetaxel, common chemotherapeutic drugs that stop cancer growth. Such findings highly encourage the clinical use of chrysanthemum as a complementary cancer treatment.
Recent pre-clinical studies reveal that chrysanthemum can modulate the gut microbiota in a manner that protects against metabolic diseases, namely obesity, fatty liver diseases and diabetes. A 2025 study showed that chrysanthemum extracts improved gut microbiota composition, strengthened the gut barrier, and curbed inflammation in mice fed with a high-fat diet. Similarly, two studies in 2024 reported that chrysanthemum improved liver fatty acid oxidation and glucose metabolism by regulating the gut microbiota, thereby preventing the development of fatty liver and diabetes.
The gut microbiota is increasingly recognised as a cornerstone of overall health, influencing metabolism, immune function and organ health. Chrysanthemum extracts support gut microbiota balance due to their rich polysaccharide content, which acts as a prebiotic that fosters the growth of beneficial gut bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Once metabolised by gut microbes, these polysaccharides generate short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are potent anti-inflammatory compounds that strengthen the gut barrier and support metabolic health.
Chrysanthemum has also been tested in several human clinical trials, primarily for joint and metabolic conditions, where it has demonstrated favourable health effects without significant safety concerns. Overall, these findings position chrysanthemum as a compelling natural therapeutic agent for its anticancer, metabolic, and gut health benefits.
“Spiky” by Apple2000 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
