Where are the main production areas of Gongju (Tribute Chrysanthemum) located?

Gongju, together with Hangju, Chuju and Boju, is known as one of the four famous chrysanthemums of China. It got this name because it was offered to emperors as tribute in ancient times. So, where is the production area of Gongju?

1. Where is the production area of chrysanthemum?

The main production area of Gongju is in Huangshan City, Anhui Province. Because Huangshan has a uniquely favorable natural ecological environment, the Gongju produced there is of excellent quality, combining color, fragrance, taste and shape in one.

2. The effects and functions of Gongju

1. Huangshan Gongju chrysanthemum is sweet and bitter in nature, and slightly cold. It contains chrysanthemum glycosides, adenine, choline and vitamin A1, B1, amino acids, potassium, sodium salts and other components. Clinical application has proven that it can calm the central nervous system, enhance the anti-inflammatory power of capillaries, and inhibit the activity of human tubercle bacillus, staphylococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, influenza virus, skin fungi, Vibrio cholerae and streptococcus. It has the effects of clearing the liver and improving eyesight, driving away pathogenic factors and reducing internal heat, and cooling and relieving exterior syndromes. Chrysanthemum tea has an effect on dry mouth, excessive internal heat and dry eyes. After drinking it hot, the whole body sweats and feels relaxed. It is a good medicine for treating colds, and also a health drink suitable for all ages.

2. Huangshan Gongju can treat wind-cold colds, boils and swollen toxins, slightly high blood pressure and arteriosclerosis and other conditions. By blending it with other medicines, it can be made into patent medicines such as Sangju Ganmao Tablets and drinks such as chrysanthemum crystals. It can be brewed as tea or soaked in wine. Regular drinking can “cleanse the five viscera, detoxify and strengthen the body”, and has the effect of prolonging resistance and beautifying. The chrysanthemum flowers after drinking can also be dried and used as pillow filling, making people cool, reducing internal heat, improving eyesight and refreshing the mind.

3. Huangshan Gongju chrysanthemum has always been praised as a flower of longevity and anti-aging, and it contains anti-aging components and components that promote the decomposition and excretion of cholesterol. Its beauty effects lie in: benefiting qi and blood, moisturizing the skin, clearing the head and eyes, “improving complexion”, and it can nourish the hair. As early as the Yuan Dynasty, in the “Prescriptions of the Imperial Medicine Institute”, there was a record of making chrysanthemum hair-washing powder with chrysanthemum as the main medicine, mainly for treating hair loss. The famous medical scientist Zhang Jingyue of the Ming Dynasty also used chrysanthemum, angelica dahurica and other medicines to wipe the face to treat freckles, with quite good effects. As for records that chrysanthemum can strengthen people's constitution and prolong life, there have been many since ancient times.

Gongju has both ornamental value and medicinal functions. It is praised as an excellent product for medicine and drinking, and is a famous specialty of Huangshan, renowned at home and abroad. Everyone can buy some to taste.