Jie Geng, Balloon flower, also known as Platycodon, has the effects of soothing the throat, expelling lung phlegm, and boosting lung function, and can be used to treat diseases such as coughs, sore throats, and chest congestion.
Balloon flower has a bitter and pungent taste, with a slightly warm nature, and belongs to the lung and stomach meridians. It has the function of dispersing and draining pus, making it effective in eliminating stubborn phlegm that is difficult to cough up. In clinical practice, balloon flower combined with other throat-clearing and phlegm-reducing Chinese herbs can assist in treating respiratory diseases. For example, the combination of balloon flower and licorice can treat pulmonary abscesses.
Due to its strong dispersing effect, balloon flower is not suitable for patients with symptoms such as vomiting, dizziness, and hemoptysis, as it may exacerbate these symptoms. Balloon flower can stimulate the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract to a certain extent, and excessive dosage may lead to nausea and vomiting. Therefore, it is important to use balloon flower in moderation.
Although balloon flower has the effect of soothing the throat and expelling phlegm, patients are not advised to self-administer it. It is recommended that patients consult a professional traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and use medication based on their recommendations after a series of diagnoses, in order to minimize the risk of adverse reactions.