INDIVIDUAL HERBS
| Pharmaceutical Latin: | Radix Platycodi |
| Common English: | Balloon Flower Root Platycodon Root |
| Taste | Temperature | Entering Meridians | Dosage |
Bitter Acrid |
Neutral |
Lung |
3-10g Tincture: 2-4ml |
| Actions | Indications/Syndromes |
Opens the Lungs, spreads Lung Qi, expels Phlegm and benefits the throat |
Cough due to Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat (with profuse sputum, sore throat, loss of voice), asthma Loss of voice or sore throat due to external Heat, Phlegm Heat or Yin Deficiency Heat |
Expels pus |
Lung or throat abscess (Phlegm and Qi Stagnation) with fevers, chest pain, coughing of yellow sputum with a fishy smell and hemoptysis, Lung carbuncles |
Opens and raises Lung Qi, directing the effects of other herbs to the upper body |
Reinforces the actions of the other herbs and focuses the formula on the upper body |
CONTRAINDICATIONS |
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INCOMPATIBILITIES |
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HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS |
Rx. Glycyrrhizae |
Caulis Perillae |
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| Disseminates Lung Qi, expels Phlegm, resolves toxicity and expels pus for productive coughing with hoarseness, pain and swelling of the throat due to Wind-Heat. Lung abscess with expectoration of pus and pain in the chest and flanks. Excess disorders in the Upper Jiao with no disorder in the Lower Jiao. |
Hoarseness, pain and swelling of the throat due to Wind-Heat. (stronger action) |
Cough, wheezing, or stifling sensations in the chest and diaphragm due to Lung Qi Stagnation. Focal distention of the epigastrium , loss of taste for food, nausea and reflux due to Spleen/Stomach Qi Stagnation. Good for elderly, deficient or pregnant patients. |
Cx. Mori |
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Wind-Heat cough with mild fever and thirst. |
Productive cough with clear, bubbly sputum, nasal congestion, chills and headache due to Wind-Cold Invading the Lungs. |
Wind-Heat cough. |
Hb. Menthae |
Fr. Aurantii |
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Coughing due to Wind-Cold Invasion or long-standing Phlegm-Dampness. |
Hoarseness and sore throat due to Wind-Heat. |
Phlegm Obstruction and Qi Stagnation with discomfort and a stifling sensation in the chest. |
Sm. Trichosanthis |
Rx. Angelicae Dahuricae
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Bul. Fritillariae Thunbergii |
Lung abscess. |
Ulcerated abscess where pus is being discharged slowly. |
Strengthens its ability to discharge pus for Lung abscess with profuse Phlegm and pus accumulation. |
Hb. Houttuyniae |
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Hoarseness and loss of voice. |
Lung abscess with chest pain, fever and a cough with foul-smelling, yellow, sticky sputum. | Lobar pneumonia and bronchitis due to Heat and toxins. |
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Pus and abscess formation. |
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- This herb is not suitable for injection because of its hemolytic properties which are neutralized through digestion.
- This is a versatile herb with tonic and anti-inflammatory effects. It is mostly used in Lung and skin ailments.
- This herb is a Lung Qi tonic that is useful in formulas for nourishing Lung Yin.
- This herb is especially good for eliminating pus in the Lung.
- It raises the actions of other herbs.
- It can be used for conditions that are Hot, Cold, acute or chronic and are with or without Phlegm.
- This herb has been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
- Both Jie Geng and Sm. Armeniacae Xing Ren are Lung channel Qi Level herbs. Jie Geng rises and disseminates Lung Qi, benefits the throat, and expels Phlegm while Xing Ren descends Lung Qi, alleviates cough and calms wheezing.
- Both Jie Geng and Sm. Sterculiae Pang Da Hai disseminate Lung Qi, cool the Lungs, resolve toxicity and benefit the throat. Jie Geng is more intense. It raises Lung Qi, releases the Exterior, benefits the throat by eliminating Phlegm and pus and directs the actions of the other herbs to the Upper Jiao. It also treats dysenteric disorder and abdominal pain. Pang Da Hai is cooling, moistening, drains constrained Fire and is used specifically used for throat disorders. it also moistens the Intestines and treats mild cases of constipation and blood in the stool.
- Dry-fried Platycodon Chao Jie Geng has its acrid dispersing qualities moderated and its tendency to irritate the Stomach causing nausea is reduced. it is best for treating elderly and weak patients with cough due to Phlegm or thin mucus.
- Honey-prepared Platycodon Mi Zhi Jie Geng has increased moistening and tonifying properties and is used for chronic dry cough due to Lung Deficiency.
- Charred Platycodon Jie Geng Tan is used for dysenteric disorders with hemafecia as a result of Lung Heat being transferred to the Large Intestine.