Platycodon root - 桔梗 (Jie Geng)
Balloon Flower Root
桔梗
Jie Geng·Racine de Platycodon
Platycodonis Radix
- Traced and verified origin
- Dispatched within 24/48h, packed to order
- Kept away from light and moisture
According to the classical texts
宣肺利咽 祛痰排脓
Pinyin
Xuan Fei Li Yan · Qu Tan Pai Nong
Overview
The fleshy root of Platycodon grandiflorus, the plant with remarkable blue-violet balloon-shaped flowers (hence its English name, balloon flower).
Grown chiefly in Korea and in north-east China, its taproot is lifted in autumn from 2- to 3-year-old specimens, peeled then dried.
It comes as cylindrical lengths of a yellowish white, with the characteristic bitter-pungent savour.
Also eaten as a sustaining food in Korea (Doraji, famous in Korean cookery and folklore).
Traditional uses
A herb notable for its upward reach: Jie Geng “carries” the action of the other herbs towards the Phase and the upper region (“the floating boat”).
Traditionally used to clear the sphere of the breath when Phlegm clogs it, to open the upper sphere, and to turn blends upward.
Preparation and traditional-use quantity
- Decoction: 3 to 9 g, simmer for 25 minutes
- The “floating boat” action: it guides the action of the other herbs towards the Metal Phase and the upper region — a useful particularity within blends
- Korean cookery (Doraji): the root rehydrated and cut into strips marinated with sesame — a traditional dish
- Yin Qiao San: often taken into surface blends to point the action towards the throat
Precautions
To be avoided in cases of dry, disturbed breath from deficient (a drying herb can add to the dryness).
To be used with care in cases of bleeding in the sphere of the breath.
