Basic Introduction to Huai Chrysanthemum

Jiaozuo City, located in the narrow alluvial plain between the Taihang Mountains and the Yellow River, is historically known as “Tanhuai, Hedan, Huazhou, and Huaiqing Prefecture.” From north to south, Jiaozuo features mountains, hills, plains, and marshlands, with a long history of agriculture. The Dan River, Qin River, and Ji River, which flow out from the Taihang Mountains, bring rich mineral elements, combined with the silt deposited by the Yellow River, forming unique fertile soil. Along with factors such as windward slopes, altitude, light and heat, hydrology, etc., the local cultivation of Chinese yam, chrysanthemum, Chinese yam, and achyranthes roots over a long history has endowed them with unique medicinal properties. These plants are collectively known as the “Four Huai Medicinal Herbs,” each prefixed with the character “Huai.”

Huai chrysanthemums thrive in warmth and tolerate cold, with flowers that can withstand light frosts and roots that can endure temperatures as low as -17°C. However, higher temperatures are preferable for seedling development until the stage of bud formation; if temperatures are too low, plant growth is poor, and there will be fewer branches and flowers. Huai chrysanthemums require ample sunlight and do not grow well in shade. They are also susceptible to wind chill and prefer moist conditions. Excessive drought results in fewer branches and slow plant growth, and lack of water during flowering affects yield and quality. If the soil is too wet, roots may rot. Therefore, each watering should not be too heavy, and drainage should be considered during the rainy season. Huai chrysanthemums thrive on fertilization and should be grown in fertile sandy soils with good drainage. Heavy clay or waterlogged areas are unsuitable for planting. Soils with neutral to slightly acidic pH are preferred, while alkaline soils are detrimental to growth and development. Replanting in the same plot should be avoided, as it increases the incidence of pests and diseases, severely affecting yield and increasing costs. The geographical and climatic environment of Jiaozuo is suitable for the growth and production of Huai chrysanthemums.

Geographical Range

The original geographical range of Huai chrysanthemum is defined according to the notice issued by the Jiaozuo Municipal People's Government (Jiao Zheng Wen [2002] No. 114) regarding the determination of the protected origin area for the “Four Huai Medicinal Herbs.” This includes the administrative regions currently governed by Wuzhi County, Wen County, Bo'ai County, Qinyang City, Mengzhou City, and Xiuxiu County in Henan Province.

Nutritional Value

Huai chrysanthemums have high medicinal value and belong to medicinal chrysanthemums. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that chrysanthemums are cold in nature, having experienced both cold and heat, and possess the clear essence of heaven and earth. They have effects such as clearing heat, detoxifying, dispelling wind, clearing liver fire, and improving eyesight. According to traditional Chinese medical experience, white chrysanthemums are better at calming the liver and improving vision, while yellow chrysanthemums are more effective at dispelling wind and clearing heat. Therefore, Huai chrysanthemums are often used for improving vision, while Hangzhou chrysanthemums are primarily used for clearing heat.

Product Characteristics

Chrysanthemums are divided into wild and cultivated varieties, and they are used for ornamental purposes, medicinal use, and consumption. Generally, they come in colors such as white, yellow, purple, and green. It is said that there are over two thousand chrysanthemum varieties worldwide, with a wide variety and many names. Apart from being ornamental, they can also be used medicinally and for consumption. Huai chrysanthemums, also known as festival flowers, steamed buns chrysanthemums, hairpin chrysanthemums, sweet chrysanthemums, medicinal chrysanthemums, etc., come in different varieties. Yellow ones are called small yellow chrysanthemums, and white ones with yellow centers are called small white chrysanthemums. Both are Huai chrysanthemums, primarily used for calming the liver and improving vision. Yellow chrysanthemums are more effective at clearing heat, while white chrysanthemums are better at improving vision.

Historical and Folklore

The cultivation of chrysanthemums in China has a long history, first appearing in historical records nearly three thousand years ago. As one of the traditional famous flowers, scholars rank it alongside plum, orchid, and bamboo, collectively known as the “Four Gentlemen.”

From the pre-Qin period through the Han and Wei-Jin dynasties, various local governments presented the Four Huai Medicinal Herbs to the imperial court. In the 37th year of King Ping of Zhou (734 BC), Duke Huan of Wei presented Huai yams to the Zhou royal family. In the second year of King Huan of Zhou (718 BC), Duke Xuan of Wei presented Huai rehmannia to the Zhou emperor.

In the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, both the “Twelve Months” section of Lü's Spring and Autumn Annals and the “Monthly Orders” section of the Book of Rites recorded “Chrysanthemums have yellow flowers.” Qu Yuan's “Li Sao” contains the line “In the evening, I dine on the fallen petals of autumn chrysanthemums,” indicating that chrysanthemums were primarily cultivated for culinary purposes at that time.

In the Eastern Han Dynasty, legend has it that there was a valley in Lixian, Nanyang (an ancient county name, established during the Qin Dynasty, located in the Innerxiang area northwest of Nanyang, Henan Province). The valley water was sweet and pure, and there were extensive chrysanthemum gardens on the mountain. Water flowed down from the mountain, creating a nourishing liquid. There were about thirty households in the valley who did not dig wells but instead drank this water generation after generation, making it a famous longevity village where people lived up to 120-130 years old, middle-aged individuals reached over 100 years old, and the youngest lived to 70-80 years. When Wang Chang, the Grand Administrator, Liu Kuan, the Grand Marshal, and Yuan Wei, the Grand Marshal, served as prefects of Nanyang and heard about this, they ordered Lixian to deliver twenty carts of water daily for drinking. These individuals originally suffered from vertigo, but they were all cured after drinking the water.

In the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Tao Yuanming praised “The autumn chrysanthemum has a beautiful color,” marking the earliest record of chrysanthemums being cultivated for ornamental purposes.

In the Southern Dynasties, Tao Hongjing's “Supplement to the Famous Physicians” classified chrysanthemums into two types: bitter yu, and true chrysanthemum. Bitter yu refers to wild chrysanthemums, also known as yellow chrysanthemums, while true chrysanthemums refer to white chrysanthemums. Chrysanthemums were already being used medicinally and recorded in medical texts.

The earliest document to refer to “Huai chrysanthemum” and associate the character “Huai” with “chrysanthemum” is the Tang Herbal, an official publication of the Tang Dynasty government. The book states, “In Hedan, it is known as ground violet wormwood. The chrysanthemum of Wuzhi is known as Huai chrysanthemum.” The Tang Dynasty's anonymous “Tianbao Single Formula Illustrations” also states, “Originally found in valleys and fields in Nanyang… In Hedan, it is known as ground violet wormwood.” Here, “Nanyang” refers to the counties under the jurisdiction of Jiaozuo, located south of the Taihang Mountains and north of the Yellow River. The text specifically mentions Hedan, indicating the importance placed on locally produced chrysanthemums.

In the Northern Song Dynasty, Su Song's “Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica” also states, “Chrysanthemums are found everywhere, with those from Tanhuai being the best.” Here, “Tanhuai” refers to the region of Tanhuai.

The term “Four Huai Medic