Platycodon grandiflorus is a plant belonging to the Campanulaceae family and is the only species of the genus Platycodon. It is commonly known as Chinese morning glory, while the rhizome of this plant is known as Jiegeng or Lingdanghua in China and other Asian countries..
It is a perennial herb that can reach 120 cm in height, with a simple and little branched stem devoid of pubescence. It has adaxial green leaves with an ovate-elliptical shape and its blue flowers whose shape resembles a bell.
This herb is found in many areas such as sidewalks, flower beds, stone gardens or flower pots. In addition, it is a species that grows best in well-drained, cool, shady soils with organic and calcareous richness. Normally it develops below 2000 meters above sea level..
It has a long history within herbalism for its beneficial properties to treat coughs, phlegm, sore or sore throats, chest pains, dysentery and as a dietary supplement..
Likewise, this plant is used in various dishes of Asian culinary art, alone or combined with other species, either for the consumption of salads and other dishes, as well as for the treatment of diseases..
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It is a perennial herb that grows from 20 to 120 cm. It has a simple stem, little branched, devoid of pubescence, although sometimes it can be puberulent.
The leaves are green, adaxial, ovate, elliptical or lanceolate and measure 2-7 cm by 0.5-3.5 cm.
In general, this plant develops green foliage that, together with its starry or bell-shaped flowers, form a beautiful carpet that constitutes a pleasant visual distraction in the gardens..
It has five blue, purple or white petals whose length is maximum 5 cm.
The snowdrop is a plant whose flowering season is quite long, since it begins in late spring and ends in mid-August..
Fruiting occurs from August to October. The rhizome of Platycodon grandiflorus It is always harvested in August due to its importance in traditional medicine as a food source.
This species is known by other names or synonyms such as Campanula gentianoides, Campanula grandiflora, Campanula glauca, Platycodon chinensis, Platycodon glaucus, Platycodon mariesii, Platycodon sinensis, Wahlenbergia grandiflora.
Its taxonomic classification is as follows:
-Kingdom: Plantae.
-Phylum: Tracheophyta.
-Class: Magnoliopsida.
-Subclass: Magnoliidae.
-Superorder: Asteranae.
-Order: Asterales.
-Family: Campanulaceae.
-Gender: Platycodon.
-Species: Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC. 1830.
The snowdrop is a small plant native to Northeast Asia. It is found in places like China, Mongolia, Japan or Korea, as well as Hawaii, Russia.
It commonly grows in other hot springs communities and is found in markets. In nature, they are sometimes found in forests below 2000 meters above sea level..
It is established in many areas such as platforms, beds, stone gardens or flowerpots. This species grows best in well-drained, cool, shady soils with organic and calcareous richness..
It is a plant valued for its medicinal properties for the relief of the common cold and as an anti-inflammatory. It has been shown that both the extracts of this plant and its chemical components have a high potential for therapeutic use..
Recent research has confirmed that Chinese morning glory contains substances such as saponins, steroids, flavonoids, polyacetylenes, sterols, phenols, and other bioactive compounds that have shown significant anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory effects..
On the other hand, these compounds have also shown positive effects such as antitumor, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antiobesity, hepatoprotective and cardiovascular system enhancers, among others..
Other important nutritional compounds of this plant species include amino acids, trace elements, linoleic acid and other unsaturated fats, which is why it is considered a functional food.
Also, the roots of this plant are used to prepare exquisite salads, as well as other rich dishes. Rhizomes are also valuable because in traditional Chinese medicine they are used for chronic rhinitis, chronic tonsillitis, and other conditions..
According to data in the literature, Platycodon grandiflorus It can also be used for the preparation of drugs or veterinary medicines, pesticides, wine or cosmetics, among other products..
It has been identified that the median lethal dose of the decoction of Platycodon grandiflorus administered orally is 24 g / kg in mice. This dose is able to function as a sedative and produce some effects such as inhibition of movement and decreased respiration..
Furthermore, a hemolytic effect has been observed in mice with the use of saponin; other effects are cardiac dysfunction when concentrations of 10 mg / L are administered to zebrafish.
Bai San: the root of Platycodon is combined with the fruits of Croton tiglium and the rhizome of Bolbostemma paniculatum. It is applied to treat diphtheria and dyspnea.
Fructus aurantii (decoction): the root of Platycodon combines with the plant Citrus aurantium and is used for the treatment of typhoid fever and thoracic masses.
Jingjie Lianqiao (decoction): It is prepared with the herb Nepeta cataria, roots of Platycodon, Paeonia lactiflora, Rehmannia glutinosa, rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong, roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Y Angelica dahurica. It is used to cure rhinitis and chronic tonsillitis.
For the cultivation of this plant, certain cares must be taken such as:
- Locate the plant in a place where it receives direct light. If you do not have the right place, place it in a semi-shady place as long as it receives more light than shade.
- Watering should be done very frequently during the summer to ensure the necessary humidity, and in the rest of the year watering should be less. Normally it is watered 3 times a week on warm days and 2 times a week on non-hot days.
- Ensure that the substrate has a good drainage capacity and, if it is compact, mix it 20% with perlite.
- Fertilize in spring and summer with organic fertilizers such as guano.
- For pruning it is enough to remove the dry leaves and withered flowers.
- The propagation of this plant is usually carried out during the spring, for this it must be sown in pots and wait for its germination within the next 2 or 3 weeks.
- Be careful with the appearance of some signs that show the presence of slugs or snails, red spiders or any other aphids.
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