Platycodon grandiflorus
Balloon flower
Platycodon grandiflorus, commonly known as Balloon Flower, is a cherished medicinal herb in traditional East Asian medicine. Renowned for its bell-shaped blooms, its roots are prized for treating respiratory ailments, soothing sore throats, and reducing inflammation. This versatile perennial offers significant therapeutic potential for managing coughs and bronchial issues.
- Scientific name: Platycodon grandiflorus
- Family: Campanulaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered as Asterales and placed in the family Campanulaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Platycodon.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Campanulaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Platycodon | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Platycodon grandiflorus, is recognized by various names across different cultures and languages. In Chinese, it is referred to as 桔梗 (jiégěng), while in Vietnamese, it is called cát cánh. In Korean, the plant is known as 도라지 (doraji), and in German, it is commonly called Ballonblume due to the balloon-like shape of its flower buds. Additionally, in Portuguese, it is often referred to by its generic name, Platycodon.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 桔梗 | Wikidata |
| pt | Platycodon | Wikidata |
| vi | cát cánh | Wikidata |
| de | Ballonblume | Wikidata |
| ko | 도라지 | Wikidata |
| sv | Praktklocka | Wikidata |
| pl | Rozwar wielkokwiatowy | Wikidata |
| cs | platykodon velkokvětý | Wikidata |
| ja | キキョウ | Wikidata |
| he | ענבל גדול-פרחים | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical range that spans across several distinct regions of Eurasia. In Middle Europe, its presence can be documented in both Austria and Germany. Moving eastward, the species is found in the Siberian region, specifically within the Chita area. Its distribution further extends into the Russian Far East, where it inhabits the Amur region. Finally, the plant is also recorded growing in the Khabarovsk territory of the Russian Far East.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Siberia | Chita | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Amur | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Khabarovsk | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Primorye | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Inner Mongolia | WCVP |
| China | Manchuria | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known as Platycodon grandiflorus, is highly valued in traditional medicine, particularly for its therapeutic properties found within the underground structures. The most significant part used is the roots, which are often harvested and processed for their medicinal potency. Specifically, the thick, fleshy root is dried and used to formulate various herbal remedies. While some medicinal plants rely on rhizoimes, in the case of this species, the primary focus remains on the specialized Roots that grow deep into the soil. Whether prepared as a whole Root or as a powdered extract, these parts serve as the foundation for its traditional applications.- Total parts
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 10
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| root | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| rhizomes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Platycodon radix | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Platycodon grandiflorus has 41 reported phytochemicals identified across 67 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include platycodin D, saponins, flavonoids, Platycodin D, Platycodin D3.
- Total chemicals
- 41
- Scientific sources
- 67
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| platycodin D | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| saponins | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| flavonoids | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Platycodin D | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Platycodin D3 | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| platycodin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| platycoside E | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sterols | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-propanone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Platycodon grandiflorus has 7 reported activities identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiviral, Antiobesity, Hepatoprotective, Antiaging.
- Total activities
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 13
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antiobesity | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiaging | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Platycodon grandiflorus has 36 reported medicinal uses identified across 50 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cough, lung cancer, asthma, inflammation, obesity.
- Total uses
- 36
- Scientific sources
- 50
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cough | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| lung cancer | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| obesity | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| bronchitis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatocellular carcinoma | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HIV | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Insulin Resistance | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |