Introduction of Ju Geng:Platycodon Root or Radix Platycoli.

TCM Herbalism:Medicinals and Classifications. ✵The article gives records of the herb Platycodon Root, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source one plant species, ①.Platycodon grandiflorus(Jacq.) A.DC., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of this plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this plant species, the features of the herb Platycodon Root, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.

Radix Platycoli(Platycodon Root).

Platycodon grandiflorum:flowering plant Pin Yin Name: Jú Gěnɡ.
 English Name: Platycodon Root.
 Latin Name: Radix Platycoli.
 Property and flavor: neutral in nature, pungent, bitter.

 Brief introduction: The herb Radix Platycoli is the dried root of Platycodon grandiflorum(Jacq.) A.DC., used to resolve phlegm, soothe the throat and evacuate pus for treating cough with much phlegm, lung abscess with purulent expectoration, painful swelling of the throat and hoarse voice. The herb is commonly known as Radix Platycoli, Platycodon Root, Jú Gěnɡ.

 Botanical source: The herb Radix Platycoli (Platycodon Root) is the dried root of Platycodon grandiflorus(Jacq.) A.DC., it is a plant of the Platycodon genus, the Campanulaceae family (bellflower family) of the Asterales order. This commonly used species is introduced:

(1).Platycodon grandiflorus(Jacq.)A.DC.


 Platycodon grandiflorus Jacq.A.DC.:flowering plant Botanical description: Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A.DC., is a plant of the Campanulaceae family (bellflower family) and Campanulales genus, it is also known as Campanula grandiflora Jacq., Líng Dang Huā (literally it means small bell flower), perennial herb, the plant grows up to 30~120 cm tall. The whole plant has white latex (milky juice). Taproot is in a long spindle shape, with few branch roots. Stems are glabrous, usually unbranched or the upper part is slightly branched. Leaves are 3 to 4 whorled, opposite, or alternate; sessile or with very short petiole; leaf blade is oval (egg-shaped) to lanceolate, 2~7 cm long, 0.5~3 cm wide, the apex is pointed, the base is cuneate, the edge is sharply serrated, the under surface is covered with white powder. Flowers are solitary on the stem apex, or several flowers form loose racemes; the calyx is campanulate (bell-shaped), 5-lobed; corolla is broad campanulate, 4~6 cm in diameter, blue or bluish-purple, 5-lobed, lobes are triangular; 5 stamens, filaments base is enlarged, densely covered with fine hairs; the ovary is inferior, style is 5-lobed. Capsularfruit is obovate, with 5 valves cleft at maturity. Seeds many, brown. Its flowering period is from July to September, the fruiting period is from August to October.

 Ecological environment: Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A.DC. grows wild in the grass slope on the hillside, or forest margin, or is cultivated. It is widely distributed in whole areas of China.

 Growth characteristics: The plant prefers a cool climate, cold tolerance, prefers sunshine. It should be cultivated in hilly areas at altitudes below 1,100 meters above sea level. Likewise, it grows well in sandy loam with half shade and half sunshine, neutral sandy soil rich in phosphorus and potash fertilizer. The seed life is 1 year, and storage at low temperatures can extend the life of seeds.

 Platycodon Root:herb photo Characters of herbs: The root is cylindrical or slightly spindle-shaped, the lower part is narrowing, and some are branched, 6~20 cm long, 1~2 cm in diameter. The surface is light yellowish white, slightly shiny, shriveled, with twisted vertical grooves, and with transversal lenticel cicatrice and rootlet marks, sometimes brown or taupe brown cork bark that not scraped is visible; the upper rhizomes (reed heads) are 0.5~4 cm long, and about 1 cm in diameter, with half-moon shaped stem marks, which are in the shape of disks. The texture of the herb is hard and brittle, easy to break, the fracture surface is slightly uneven, there are visible radial fissures, the cortex is whitish(almost white), the cambium ring is brown, the woody part is yellowish (light yellow). The herb has a slight odor and tastes slightly sweet and bitter. The herb of better grade has hypertrophic and white roots, and the texture is full and firm, with a bitter taste.

 Pharmacological actions: ①.Expectorant effect; ②.Other effects: reduce blood glucose, significant effect on diabetes in rabbits caused by alloxan.

 Medicinal efficacy: Open the inhibited lung-energy, relieve sore throat, eliminating phlegm, apocenosis, indicated for a cough with much phlegm, choking sensation in the chest and not comfortable, swelling and pain in the throat, bronchitis, pulmonary abscess, pleurisy, etc.

 Administration of Radix Platycoli (Jú Gěnɡ): 
 
Reference: Administration Guide of Radix Platycoli (Jú Gěnɡ)
TCM Books: ①.Internally:3~9 grams; ②.1~2 qian (about 3~6 grams); ③.3~10 grams,water decoction; prepare to finely ground herb powder and prepared to pill, powder.Externally:proper amount, burn to ashes and prepare to ground herb powder, apply stick.

 
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  • 1.Introduction of Ju Geng:Platycodon Root or Radix Platycoli.

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