What is the difference between Chrysanthemum nankingense and wild chrysanthemum, and can it be brewed as tea?

Chrysanthemum nankingense, also known as lianngeng wild chrysanthemum, is a common wild vegetable in Jiangsu, Hunan, Guizhou and other places. It is deeply loved by people because of its effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, calming and sterilizing, but because it looks very similar to wild chrysanthemum, many people think they are the same, so what is the difference between Chrysanthemum nankingense and wild chrysanthemum? Can it be used to brew tea?

I. Introduction to Chrysanthemum nankingense:

1. Is Chrysanthemum nankingense cold in nature?

Chrysanthemum nankingense is a cold-natured plant and is an excellent choice for reducing internal heat and cooling off in summer, so it is eaten fairly widely in summer. However, people with a cold constitution had best not eat it, to avoid making the body colder and causing discomfort.

2. Is Chrysanthemum nankingense bitter?

Chrysanthemum nankingense is not bitter. It tastes very refreshing, a little sweet. Its tender stems and leaves are all edible, and it also gives off a strong chrysanthemum fragrance, so it is very suitable for stir-frying, making soup or using as a hot pot ingredient.

II. What is the difference between Chrysanthemum nankingense and wild chrysanthemum?

Difference 1, different families and genera: Chrysanthemum nankingense is a herbaceous plant of the order Asterales, family Asteraceae, tribe Anthemideae, genus Chrysanthemum; wild chrysanthemum is a perennial plant of the order Asterales, family Asteraceae, subfamily Asteroideae, tribe Anthemideae, genus Chrysanthemum.

Difference 2, different appearance: Chrysanthemum nankingense grows about 100 cm tall, with slender stems and many branches, and very strong branching. Its leaves are simple and alternate, green and long-ovate, with large coarse compound serrations on the edges. Its flowers are yellow, ligulate or tubular, and its fruit is an achene containing a thousand tiny seeds. Wild chrysanthemum grows about 25-100 cm tall, with upright or spreading stems bearing many branches. Its flowers are brownish yellow and ligulate, somewhat spherical, and the involucre has 4-5 layers of bracts, with the outer bracts ovate or ovate-triangular and rounded or blunt at the tip.

Difference 3, different flowering periods: Chrysanthemum nankingense flowers from September to November, while wild chrysanthemum flowers from June to November.

Difference 4, different uses: Chrysanthemum nankingense can be used for stir-frying, cold dressing or stewing soup, and can also be grown as an ornamental flower to decorate indoor environments; wild chrysanthemum can be used as medicinal material.

Difference 5, different effects: Chrysanthemum nankingense has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, lowering blood pressure and stimulating the appetite; wild chrysanthemum has the effects of dissipating blood stasis, improving eyesight, dispelling heat, and clearing heat and detoxifying, and can be used to treat colds, hepatitis, high blood pressure, dysentery and other diseases.

III. Can Chrysanthemum nankingense be used to brew tea?

Chrysanthemum nankingense can be used to brew tea, but it is best used for cooking or stewing soup, because its tender stems and leaves have a fresh chrysanthemum fragrance and contain rich protein, fat, vitamins, cellulose and so on, and have the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying and lowering blood pressure. If it is boiled or served cold dressed, the nutrients in it can be absorbed very well. For example, Chrysanthemum nankingense soup with whitebait and egg, Chrysanthemum nankingense soup with pork liver, and stir-fried Chrysanthemum nankingense with baby corn are all good dishes.

Overall, although Chrysanthemum nankingense is similar to wild chrysanthemum, the two differ somewhat in appearance, culinary use and effects, so attention should be paid when eating them. In addition, although Chrysanthemum nankingense can be used to brew tea, it is best made into a dish or served cold dressed, so that the nutrients in it can be absorbed very well.