[[File:Balloon Flower.jpg|thumb|350px|left|Platycodon Grandiflora]]
Other Names: Jie-Geng, Platycodon grandiflora, Platycodon root, Radix Platycodonis, Chinese bellflower<br>
A hardy perennial featuring star-like, blue-violet flowers. Plants will bloom all summer long.The root of the plant is mainly used as medicine and as a dietary supplement. The edible root can be chopped up fine, put into a tea bag or stainless steel tea ball and steeped for a few minutes in boiled water to make a tea. Honey can be used to improve the taste.
==Special Precautions of Balloon Flower==
* Contraindicated in hemoptysis and tuberculosis
==The benefits of Balloon Flower are==
* Jie-Geng is The extracts and pure saponins from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) are reported to have a very beautiful vining plant whose wide range of health benefits. Platycosides (saponins) from the roots of PG are characterized by a structure containing a triterpenoid aglycone and two sugar chains. Saponins are of commercial significance, and their applications are increasing with increasing evidence of their health benefits* The edible root has been used in Korean cuisine and to treat ailments of the lung including bronchitis, laryngitis, pleurisy, chest pain and tonsillitis. Platycodon grandiflora has been traditionally used to treat ailments afflicting the lungs and bronchial tubes. Conditions such as bronchitis, laryngitis, pleurisy, heaviness in the chest and tonsillitis.
* For treatment of chest pain due to pulmonary abscess, cough with purulent sputum, it can be used in combination with Rhizoma Phragmitis, Semen Persicae, Semen Benincasae, Herba Houttuyniae, Herba Taraxaci, and other drugs to clear heat and toxins, subdue carbuncle and promote pus discharge.
* Cancer : Antiproliferative effect on human tumor cells. Platycosides can be used as anticancer agents. Anticancer agents play a curative role in a damaged system by triggering the apoptosis signaling system in cancer cells and inhibiting the proliferation of the cancer cells.
* Obesity : PG is known to improve the insulin resistance and lipid profile of rats with diet-induced obesity.
* Cholesterol : PD has a regulatory effect on cholesterol metabolism and an antioxidant effect on hyperlipidemic emulsion-reduced rats
* Anti-allergic activity
* anti-Viral : Kim et al. developed a pharmaceutical composition from PG root extract and/or PG saponin components. This product was useful as an antiviral agent for the prevention or treatment of hepatitis C. Because components of this invention are harmless to humans and inhibit the proliferation of the hepatitis C virus, this product can be used effectively as a preventive or a therapeutic agent for hepatitis C
* Antimicrobial
* Neuroprotective activity
The edible root can be chopped up fine, put into a tea bag or stainless steel tea ball and steeped for a few minutes in boiled water to make a tea==References==''https://www. Honey can be used to improve the tastencbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4103729/'' ==Used in Patent MedecineMedicine==
* [[Yin Qiao]]
* [[Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Wan]]
* [[Bi Yan Pian]]
* [[Baihe Gujin Wan]]
* [[Sang Ju Yin]]
* [[Zi Sheng Wan]]
* [[Gan Mao Shu Feng Wan]]
* [[Wu Ji San]]
* [[Ji Ming San]]
*[[Xing Su San]]
* [[Cong Chi Jie Geng Tang]]
* [[Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa]]
* [[San Wu Xiao Bai San]]
* [[Jie Geng Bai San]]
[[Category:Treatments]]
[[Category:herbal medicine]]