Radix Platycodi
April 9, 2009 by Jack
Name: Radix Platycodi
Resource: Root of Platycodon grandiflorum(Jacq.)A.DC.,family Campanulaceae.
Characteristic: Root long-conical or long-cambiform,somewhat twisted,some with branches,6-25 cm long,0.5-2.5 cm in diameter.Surface yellowish white or white,longitudinally wrinkled,with transverse scars;the upper edn enlarged as an rhizome on which appearing semilunr stem scars.Prepared as crosscutting slices,section corneous;cambium ring brown,cortex slightly loose,xylem dense.Bitter and acrid in taste,bland in nature,and attributive to lung channel.
Pharmacodynamics:
1.Open the inhibited lung-energy and eliminate phlegm:For affection of exogenous pathogenic factor or accumulation of phlegm in the lung,manifested as cough with thick sputum,chest pain and feeling of oppression in the chest.
2.Ease the throat and phonation:For sorethroat,aphonia.
3.Eliminate phlegm and drain the pus:For lung abscess.Usually used together with Radix Glycyrrhizae(Decoction of Platycodi and Glycyrrhizae)for the above syndromes.
Pharmacological: 1.Small dosage of platycodoside,one of its active components,can increase secretion of respiratory tract and promote expectoration. 2.Platycodoside may also serve as a sedative,an analgesic and an antipyretic. 3.Its decoction inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus typhoid in vitro.
Usage: Decoction:3-9g.
Caution:
