Jiegeng (Platycodon Root)
Wild Jiegeng (Platycodon Root) (Root head with stem scars, twisted longitudinal grooves)
Jiegeng (Platycodon Root) (Spindle-shaped, thin at the bottom, yellowish-white, cortical fissures)
Cultivated Jiegeng (Platycodon Root)
Spring Jiegeng (Platycodon Root)
Wild Jiegeng (Platycodon Root) Slices
Jiegeng (Platycodon Root) Slices
Jiegeng (Platycodon Root) Slices (Golden heart and jade railing, Chrysanthemum heart)
Honey-fried Jiegeng (Platycodon Root) Slices
【Naming】
【Source】
Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic, Lower Grade
【Frequency of Use】
A
【Botanical Origin】
The root of Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC. of the Campanulaceae family, dried after removing the outer bark.
【Characteristics】
The dried root is long spindle-shaped or long cylindrical, gradually tapering downwards, sometimes branched and slightly curved, with a rhizome (root head) at the top, which has many obvious semi-circular stem scars (stem bowls). The entire length is 6~15~30㎝, and the diameter is 0.5~1~2㎝. The cork layer is often removed. The surface is grayish-white or light brown, wrinkled, with transverse lines on the upper part and longitudinal grooves throughout, especially on the lower part, and there are off-white or light brown lenticel-like root scars, slightly elongated transversely. It is firm and brittle, and easily broken.
Processed slices are mainly flattened oblique slices, as well as transverse or straight slices. The cut surface is yellowish-white, rough, with a chrysanthemum heart and light brown ring marks. There are a few fissures in the bark, the cambium ring is obvious, and the wood is dense in texture. It tastes sweet and then bitter.
【Processing】
1. Raw Jiegeng (Platycodon Root) 2. Honey-fried Jiegeng (Platycodon Root)
【Identification】
《Universal Relief Prescriptions》: “Jiegeng (Platycodon Root) with a bitter heart is genuine, and that without a bitter heart is Jini (Adenophora stricta) and must not be misused.” 《Classified Collection of Medical Formulas》: “Jiegeng (Platycodon Root) with a bitter heart is genuine. That without a bitter heart is Jini (Adenophora stricta).” 《Essential Compendium of Materia Medica》: “Roots that are firm, straight, and white are good.”
Good quality Jiegeng has long stem scars, thick and uniform strips, is firm, clean white, and has a bitter taste. Substandard quality is thin, with many branches, uneven strips, broken stem scars with a long hollow center, and is grayish-white without a bitter taste. Do not use if moldy or worm-eaten.
【Identification Terms】
1. Golden Heart and Jade Railing (Golden Well and Jade Railing): The phloem of the Jiegeng (Platycodon Root) section is white, the xylem is light yellow, and there is a light brown ring (cambium) at the junction.
【Chapter】
Root Category