Platycodon grandiflorum is the root of Platycodon grandiflorum, family Platycodonaceae. Platycodon grandiflorum is a perennial herb, born in mountainous grassy slopes and forest margins, and is cultivated. Distributed throughout the country.
Sowed 2 years or cultivated in the fall of the year digging, cut off the stems and leaves, dug out the whole root, wash the soil, fresh with a bowl piece or bamboo slice scraped off the outer skin, put in water immersed for 2 to 3 hours, fishing, sun-drying; or go to the reed slices, sun-drying.
The roots are cylindrical or fusiform, 6 to 20 centimeters long, 1 to 2 centimeters in diameter. The surface is yellowish white, slightly glossy, with longitudinal grooves, lenticels, and branching root scars; the apical rhizome is 0.5 to 4 centimeters long, about 1 centimeter in diameter, and the stem scars are arranged in the form of disk joints. The texture is hard and brittle, the cross-section can be seen radial fissures, the skin part of the white, the formation of the layer ring brown, the wood part of the yellowish. Gas slightly, taste slightly sweet, bitter.
Nutritional value
1. In addition to high sugar content, but also rich in vitamin B1, vitamin C, and a variety of Platycodonopsis saponins, farnesoid saponins, saponins and Platycodonopsis polyfructose.
2. Platycodonopsis saponins expectorant effect, and can reduce cholesterol content, increase the secretion of bile acid. In addition there are antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, sedative and so on.
3. Platycodon grandiflorum has the effect of expectorant and pus discharge. It can be used as an auxiliary dietary therapy for cough and phlegm, sore throat, lung carbuncle and pus.
4. It is rich in amino acids, protein, vitamin C, vitamin B and calcium, zinc, iron, potassium and other trace elements needed by the human body. Modern medical research shows that Platycodon grandiflorum will be the five viscera and stomach, clearing the throat and lungs, moistening the muscles and skin and other effects, respiratory disease has a preventive effect, but also lower blood pressure, promote blood circulation, in addition to the high content of crude fiber because of its good role in eliminating the garbage in the human body.