Jié Gěng (桔梗), known in English as Balloon flower root (Platycodon grandiflorum), is a neutral, bitter and acrid Chinese herb from the Resolve phlegm category. It enters the Lung channel. Its main action: opens and diffuses Lung qi, expels phlegm.
| Pinyin | Jié Gěng (Jie Geng) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 桔梗 |
| English | Balloon flower root |
| Botanical name | Platycodon grandiflorum |
| Category | Resolve phlegm |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Bitter, Acrid |
| Channels | Lung |
| Dosage | 3–9g |
| Cautions | Haemoptysis; use cautiously with Yin deficiency cough |
Actions
- Opens and diffuses Lung qi, expels phlegm
- Promotes Lung dispersing, relieves sore throat
- Guides herbs upward to Lung
Indications
- Cough with phlegm (any type)
- Sore throat
- Lung abscess
- Guides formulas to the upper body
How to remember Jié Gěng
Most Resolve phlegm herbs enter the Lung channel.
- You can work these out
- Lung channel: from its action “Opens and diffuses Lung qi”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in nature
- Bitter: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in flavour
- Acrid: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in flavour
Formulas containing Jié Gěng
Other Resolve phlegm herbs
- Bàn Xià
- Guā Lóu
- Tiān Nán Xīng
- Zào Jiǎo Cì
- Chuān Bèi Mǔ
- Zhè Bèi Mǔ
- Zhú Rú
- Tiān Zhú Huáng
- Hǎi Zǎo
- Kūn Bù
- Pí Pá Yè
- Xìng Rén
- Zǐ Wǎn
- Bǎi Bù
- Kuǎn Dōng Huā
- Sāng Bái Pí
- Tíng Lì Zǐ
- Bái Jiè Zǐ
- Bái Qián
- Qián Hú
- Xuán Fù Huā
- Zǐ Sū Zǐ
- Bái Guǒ
- Qīng Méng Shí
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Jié Gěng?
Jié Gěng is neutral and bitter and acrid.
Which channels does Jié Gěng enter?
Jié Gěng enters the Lung channel.
What are the actions of Jié Gěng?
Opens and diffuses Lung qi, expels phlegm; Promotes Lung dispersing, relieves sore throat; Guides herbs upward to Lung.
What is Jié Gěng used for?
Cough with phlegm (any type); sore throat; Lung abscess; guides formulas to the upper body.
Which formulas contain Jié Gěng?
Yín Qiào Sǎn, Sāng Jú Yǐn, Xuè Fǔ Zhú Yū Tāng, Tiān Wáng Bǔ Xīn Dān, Zhǐ Sòu Sǎn and Bǎi Hé Gù Jīn Tāng.
Practise Jié Gěng and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.