While the medicinal properties of chrysanthemum may be found in creams and lotions, the most common usage is in drinking the tisane. This beverage is made from steeping the flowers of the plant rather than the leaves. As such, they require slightly longer steeping time in hot water, for up to 10 minutes. Allowing the tisane to steep in a closed container will preserve more of the essential oils.

Internal Medicinal Benefits
Traditional Chinese medicine claims that chrysanthemum tisane can be a great aid in the prevention of sore throat and fever, or that it can lessen the severity of the symptoms once they"ve presented. In Korea they believe that this tisane can act as a stimulant and is used to help keep people alert and awake. Western holistic and herbal medicine touts the benefits of drinking this tea to treat atherosclerosis and varicose veins, though this has yet to be definitively proven in clinical studies.

External Benefits
When the steeped flowers are squeezed of excess moisture, they can then be applied as compresses to reduce itching and dryness of the eyes. Traditional Chinese medicine also uses these compresses to treat other eye ailments such as blurring, dizziness and diminished vision. These compresses are also often used to help reduce acne swelling and redness.