Warm Herbs that Transform Phlegm-Cold
Jie Geng 桔梗
Platycodi Radix Root of the Balloon Flower
Also known as Ku Jie Geng, Bai Jie Geng, Yu Jie Geng
Channels LU (ST)
Nature Neutral BitterSpicy
✓ CALE Exam ✓ National Exam
Materia Medica Data
- Temperature
- Neutral
- Nature & Flavour
- Bitter, Spicy, Neutral
- Channels Entered
- LU (ST)
- Latin (pharmaceutical)
- Platycodi Radix
- Chinese
- 桔梗
- Tone Marks
- jié gĕng
- Also Known As
- Ku Jie Geng, Bai Jie Geng, Yu Jie Geng
- Translation
- Solid and Straight Root
Chinese Herb Actions
- Opens and Disseminates Lung Qi, Dispels Phlegm, Benefits Throat Treats cough or wheezing with profuse phlegm, sore throat or pain, and loss of voice or hoarseness. One of the most important herbs for Lung problems. Can be used for cough and phlegm due to Wind-Heat or Wind-Cold
- Dispels Pus One of the strongest herbs for pus and abscesses in the lung and throat especially if secondary symptoms include chest pain, fever, cough with blood and pus, and thick, yellow, sticky sputum and a foul fishy smell
- Raises Lung Qi and Large Intestine Qi For diarrhea, rectal tenesmus, anuria, and edema and other cases of Sunken Qi. Directs the actions of other herbs to the upper body.
Chinese Herb Dosage
- 3-9 grams in decoction (Chen)
- 3-9 grams in decoction (Bensky)
Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions
- Use with caution in cases with chronic cough due to Yin Deficiency
- Use with caution for cough with blood streaked sputum due herbs acrid, dispersing and draining qualities
Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose
- Overdose can lead to nausea and vomiting, sweating, exhaustion and restlessness
Sources & References
Compiled and edited by Thomas Dehli, Founder & Editor, Sacred Lotus
The information here is referenced from numerous sources — teachers, practitioners, class notes from Five Branches University, the books below, and the published research literature, with citations given as resolvable PubMed identifiers. Where sources disagree, I have flagged the discrepancies directly. If facts couldn't be verified, I have left them out. How we source our content.
Reference information for students and practitioners — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner. Terms of use.
Chinese Herbs Books & References
https://amzn.to/3WfB3DK
https://amzn.to/3DR1VUh
https://amzn.to/42aMz73
https://amzn.to/3PuD4bt