Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Platycodon grandiflorus, commonly known as balloon flower, is a traditional herb widely used in East Asian medicine. Its roots, referred to as "Jie Geng" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), have a long-standing history of use for respiratory and throat-related conditions. Adenitis, or inflammation of the lymph nodes (often cervical), is commonly associated with sore throat, tonsillitis, and upper respiratory tract infections. In TCM, Jie Geng is employed to "open up the lungs," "expel phlegm," and alleviate swelling and pus, which aligns with the symptoms of adenitis. Historical texts and modern TCM practice indicate that Platycodon is often used—sometimes in combination with other herbs—to treat conditions involving swollen glands or throat infections. From a biomedical perspective, Platycodon contains saponins and other compounds with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, but direct clinical evidence specifically for adenitis is limited. Most available studies are preclinical or focus on broader respiratory and inflammatory conditions. Thus, while there is a plausible mechanism and a strong traditional precedent for its use in adenitis-like symptoms, rigorous scientific validation in the context of adenitis itself is lacking. Its use for adenitis is therefore justified primarily by tradition rather than robust clinical evidence.

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