Bell Flower Root (Platycodon Root)
Description
Details
Balloon flower roots have been consumed for their health benefits from more than 2,000 years. Balloon Flower (jie geng in Chinese) is a plant with star-shaped, blue-violet flowers. This is a popular garden plant and it is used for ornamental purposes. The balloon flower is used for culinary purposes in Korea. The Koreans use the root of the flower as an ingredient in salads and other foods. The root of the balloon flower can be prepared dried or fresh.
Balloon Flower is also known as: Jie Geng, Platycodon grandiflorum, Campanulaceae
In Korea, this flower is mentioned in traditional folk song.
The flower is one of Japan's traditional seven flowers of autumn.
Natural locations for Balloon Flower: Europe And Asia - Japan
In herbal medicine, the root is used as an anti-inflammatory agent. It is also used for the treatment of colds and coughs. Balloon Flower is used in traditional Chinese formulas for its expectorant qualities to dilate the bronchi. It reportedly increases bronchial secretions.
Health benefits of Balloon flower root:
In Korea the plant is known as doraji and its root, either dried or fresh, is a popular ingredient in salads and traditional cuisine. However, doraji (Chinese bellflower) should not be confused with Korean bellflower. Chinese bellflower is used in traditional Chinese medicine.
They are thought to work by dilating the bronchial vessels; a constituent called platycodigenin thins and helps eliminate phlegm. Recent studies found that the root killed a liver fluke (internal parasite) and lowered “bad” and raised “good” cholesterol in rats. An ingredient of several Japanese herbal extracts, the root may be anti-inflammatory. A saponin in the root increases pancreatic secretion through the release of gastrointestinal hormones.