WH Acupuncture & Herbs Centre

It is the dried root of Platycodo grandiflorum(Jacq.)A.DC.,family Campanulaceae. The roots are dug and collected in spring and autumn. After the fibrous roots and fresh barks are removed, they are washed clean, sliced and then dried in the sunshine. The barks cannot be removed. The raw are used.

[ Medicinal Properties ]: Bitter, pungent and neutral; relate to lung meridian.

[ Medicinal Efficacies ]: Disperse lung qi and resolve phlegm; relieve sore throat and drain pus.

[ Clinical Applications ]: 1.Failure of lung qi to disperse manifested as cough with profuse sputum, oppression in chest      Failure of lung qi to disperse may cause cogh with profuse sputum and oppression in chest. For that with wind-cold, it is combined with Zisu and Xingren in Xingsu Powder. For that with wind-heat, it is combined with Sangye, Juhua, such as Sangju Decoction. It is combined with Zhiqiao to treat stuffiness and oppression in chest and hypochondrium and qi stagnation due to phlegm obstruction.

2. Sore throat, aphonia       For that due to invasion of lung by exogenous pathogens, it is combined with Gancao, Niubangzi. For that due to domination of heat-toxin, it is used with Shegan and Banlangen.

3. Pulmonary abscess      To treat pulmonary abscess causing chest pain and coughing up pus, blood , stinking and yellowish sputum, it can be combined with Gancao in Jiegeng Decocotion, or with Yuxingcao and Dongguaren.

In addition, it treats retention of urine and constipation since it is effective for dispersing lung qi and relieving difficulty in urination and defecation.

[ Usage and Dosage ] :3-9g.

[ Precautions ]: Since Jiegeng is lifting and dispersing in nature, it cannot treat upward qi movements resulting in vomiting, chocking cough and dizziness and hemoptysis due to yin feficiency with effulgent fire. Over dosage easily causes nausea and vomiting. It cannot be used as injection because of the hemolyzation of its platycodoside.

桔梗为桔梗科植物桔梗Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC．的根。全国大部分地区均有。以东北、华北地区产量较大，华东地区质量较优。秋季采挖，除去须根，刮去外皮，放清水中浸2～3小时，切片，晒干生用或炒用。