Platycodon, the root that opens the Lung
The first character of Jie Geng is read jié here, not jú as in mandarin orange. Li Shizhen explains it: the root of this herb is firm and solid, its stem straight, hence its name. Platycodon is a perennial with large bell-shaped blue-violet flowers, the “balloon flower”, which grows on grassy slopes across East Asia; its fleshy root, once peeled, is yellowish white. It is also a food: in Korea, where it is called doraji, the marinated root is a much-loved side dish. Autumn roots, heavier and denser, are preferred.
Opening the Lung and clearing the throat
In traditional Chinese medicine, the root is neutral, bitter and pungent in taste, and enters the Lung alone: a single meridian, which says everything about its calling. The pungent taste opens and disperses, the bitter one makes things descend, but upward movement dominates. According to tradition, the Lung spreads Qi outward and makes it descend; when Phlegm obstructs it, platycodon lifts what is blocking and helps it out, whether thin or thick. As the Lung meridian passes through the throat, it clears this passage too. Its neutral nature lets it serve when Cold dominates as well as when Heat is present.
The boat and oar of other herbs
Its most unusual trait is to carry other herbs upward: tradition describes it as “the boat and oar” of other substances, which it takes to the Lung, the throat and the chest. With licorice alone, which softens and harmonises, it forms Jie Geng Tang, the simplest and oldest pairing. In Shen Ling Bai Zhu San, it guides to the Lung what the Spleen herbs produce. Modern research is notably interested in its saponins.
Key benefits
Phlegm dispersed & Middle harmonised
Pungent and bitter, it disperses stagnant Phlegm; an ancient text also credits it with benefiting the Stomach and helping digest grains.
Qi in motion & open chest
It opens and spreads the Lung Qi, and supports its circulation according to Chinese tradition.
Lung soothed & herbs carried
Prepared with honey, or combined with softening licorice, it moistens the Lung according to Chinese tradition.
