Platycodon grandiflorus is primarily produced in Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Inner Mongolia, Sichuan, and other provinces, growing wild in grassy slopes. Roots are harvested in spring and autumn, soaked in water, peeled, sun-dried, and used medicinally.It is neutral in nature with a bitter and pungent taste. Functions include promoting lung function, eliminating phlegm, and draining pus. Indications include external-contracted cough, difficult expectoration, sore throat, bronchitis, and lung abscess. The root contains platycodin, which increases respiratory secretions to exert expectorant effects.
1. For cold-induced cough with excessive phlegm: 10g platycodon root,10g White Front, 10g Schizonepeta, 5g Licorice. Decoct in water and take orally.
2. For lung abscess and toxic sores: 12g Platycodon, 12g Dandelion, 12g Forsythia, 12g Viola yedoensis (or Platycodon grandiflorus). Decoct in water and take orally.
3. For acute/chronic bronchitis: 6g Platycodon root, 10g Scutellaria root, 6g Polygala root, 6g Apricot kernel, 6g Anemarrhena rhizome. Decoct in water and take orally.
4. For bronchial asthma: 10g Platycodon root, 30g Houttuynia cordata. Decoct in water and take orally.
5. For external-contracted cough with difficult expectoration: Platycodon root 6g, licorice root 6g. Decoct in water and take orally.
6. For chronic chest pain from old injury: Platycodon root 10g, Aquilaria agallocha 5g, Angelica root 15g, dried tangerine peel 10g, Cyperus rhizome 10g. Decoct in water and take orally.
7 For common cold cough: 10g Platycodon root, 10g Saposhnikovia root, 6g Angelica dahurica root, 10g Asparagus root. Decoct in water and take orally.
8 For lung abscess with bloody sputum: 15g Platycodon root, 9g Sophora root (or Sophora flavescens root). Decoct in water and take orally.