jie geng

桔梗·Radix Platycodi

Platycodon Root

About jie geng

Jie Geng (桅梗) is the root of platycodon, the balloon flower, recorded as Radix Platycodonis. It is bitter and acrid in flavour and neutral in temperature, entering the Lung channel alone. The catalogue files it among the herbs that transform Phlegm-Cold.

Names

Pinyinjie geng
Chinese桔梗
Latin NameRadix Platycodi·Radix Platycodonis
English NamePlatycodon Root
Japanesekikyo
Koreankilgyeong

Classification

Channels
Lung
Flavour
Acrid, Bitter
Temperature
Neutral
Part used
Root
Family
Campanulaceae
Species
Platycodon grandiflorus
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Opens and disseminates Lung Qi, expels Phlegm and benefits the throat

  • Cough with copious sputum, sore throat or loss of voice, in either Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat patterns
  • Wheezing or asthma
  • Hoarseness or sore throat from external Heat, Phlegm-Heat or Heat from deficient Yin

Expels pus

  • Abscess of the Lung or throat from stagnant Phlegm and Qi: fever, chest pain, cough bringing up thick yellow sputum or blood and pus, with a fishy smell
  • Lung carbuncle

Raises Lung and Large Intestine Qi

  • Sunken Qi patterns such as diarrhea, tenesmus, anuria or edema

Guides other herbs to the upper body

  • As a messenger herb, carries a formula's action up to the Lungs and throat and reinforces the other herbs there

Combinations

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 3-10g; Tincture: 2-4ml3-10 g2-4 ml

Cautions

Interactions

Antagonistic with