Balloonflower Root
Radix Platycodi
Bai Jie Geng

About

Properties in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Mild; pungent; bitter

Part(s) used

Potential toxicity/side effects

Functions/effects it is traditionally believed to have

Treatment of cough with much phlegm, sore throat, hoarseness of voice, lung abscess with purulent expectoration, absecess difficult to burst after suppuration.

Conditions/symptoms it is traditionally used to treat

1. small dosage of platycodoside, one of its active components, can increase secretion of respiratory tract and promote expectoration.2. platycodoside may also serve as a sedative, an analgesic and an antipyretic.3. its decoction inhibits the growth of staphylococcus aureus and bacillus typhoid in vitro.