Chrysanthemum Tea

Chrysanthemum is a famous flower found everywhere in China. It is rich in varieties with light and pleasant fragrance and extraordinary functions. Since it is a common flower as well as a medicinal food, the Chinese has kept the practice of watching and tasting chrysanthemum ever since thousands of years ago. Among all breeds, the white chrysanthemum can be made into a drink called chrysanthemum tea, while sometimes tea leaves are added so as to blend the flavor.

The most famous breeds shall be the Hangzhou White Chrysanthemum produced in Tongxiang City, Zhejiang and the Tribute Chrysanthemum of Mount Huang (or Huizhou Tribute Chrysanthemum) at the foot of Mount Huang. The Tribute Chrysanthemum of Mount Huang in particular, which grows on the high mountain, is a healthier drink for modern people since it's not contaminated at all. When choosing the flower, those laymen may favor the big white ones among rich varieties, but in fact the small, ugly and yellowish ones are the best choice instead.
The effect of chrysanthemum tea is also elaborated in the book Compendium of Materia Medica: it's slightly cold in nature with sweet flavor and the effects of dispelling wind heat, suppressing hyperactive liver and improving eyesight. The modern medicine science have also proved upon research that chrysanthemum can help to lower blood pressure, remove cancer cells, expand the coronary artery and prevent bacterial contamination. Long-time drinking of the tea can help increase calcium in human body, regulate myocardial function and reduce cholesterol, which is especially good for people at middle or senior ages or for preventing the epidemic conjunctivitis. It's also good for eye dryness caused by irascibility or excessive use of eye. Meanwhile, the chrysanthemum tea is rich in aroma and refreshing, which also helps to relax and relieve headache.

                                                       菊花茶

菊花是一种在中国到处可见的名花。它品种多样，不仅带着淡淡的，怡人的清香，而且还有一些神奇的功效。因为很常见，又有食疗的功效，所以中国人早在几千年前就开始观察品尝菊花了。在所有的种类中，白菊可以用来泡制一种饮料，叫做菊花茶。有时也会在茶叶中加入一些菊花，用以混合一下茶的味道。

最为有名的品种还是要数产于浙江桐乡的杭州白菊和黄山脚下的黄山贡菊(徽州贡菊)。黄山贡菊的特点是生长在高山之上，没有遭受过任何的污染，因而是现代人更为健康的饮料。当在选花的时候，那些外行人可能会从各种各样的花里面选择那些又白又大的，但事实上，那些又小又黄又丑的却是最好的。

菊花的功效在本草纲目里面也有详细的阐述：性寒味甜，有祛风寒和清肝明目的功效。现代医学研究证明，菊花还有降血压，清除癌细胞，扩张冠状动脉和防止细菌感染的作用。长期饮用菊花茶可以增加体内的钙质，调节心肌功能和降低胆固醇，这些都有助于中老年人的身体健康，还可以预防红眼病。它还有助于治疗因暴躁或者过度用眼而引起的眼睛干涩。同时菊花茶香气浓郁清新，有助于放松和缓解头疼。