Evidence supporting the use of: Platycodon
For the health condition: Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Platycodon grandiflorus, commonly known as balloon flower, has a long history of use in traditional East Asian medicine, particularly in Chinese and Korean herbal systems. The root, known as Jie Geng in Chinese medicine, is traditionally employed to treat respiratory ailments such as coughs, sore throats, and bronchitis. Its use as an alternative to antibiotics is grounded in its perceived ability to "clear heat," resolve phlegm, and support lung function rather than direct antibacterial action.
Scientific studies have demonstrated that Platycodon root contains saponins and other phytochemicals with mild anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Some in vitro studies report modest antibacterial effects against certain pathogens; however, these effects are generally weak compared to conventional antibiotics and have not been demonstrated in rigorous human clinical trials. While Platycodon may offer supportive benefits in respiratory infections, particularly by reducing inflammation and easing symptoms, it is not considered a true antibiotic alternative in the scientific sense. Thus, its use in this context is primarily traditional, with some limited preclinical scientific support but insufficient clinical evidence to justify it as a replacement for antibiotics.
More about Platycodon
More about Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Other ingredients used for Antibiotics (alternatives to)
2'-FucosyllactoseAjoene
astragalus
bacillus clausii
bacillus subtilis
berberine
black cumin
black walnut
caprylic acid
caterpillar mushroom
clove
colostrum
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
curcumin
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
garlic bulb
ginger
goldenseal
gooseberry
green tea
horseradish
Indian tinospora
honeysuckle
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactococcus lactis
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
lauric acid
Lentinula edodes mycelia
Mastic gum
Monolaurin
oregano
oregon grape
oyster mushroom
phenolic compounds
plantain
butyric acid
rhizome
sage
shiitake mushroom
thyme
vitamin C
Wasabi
Zinc
Yellow root
papaya
Neem tree
Clerodendrum indicum
pistacia integerrima gall
paederia foetida
pau d'arco
Myrrh
Morinda
oriental arborvitae
melaleuca alternifolia
Algae
geranium
red root
10-Hydroxy-2-Decanoic Acid
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
3-Phenyllactic Acid
alpha-terpineol
azelaic acid
Allicin
anamu
Alchornea
aucubin
andrographolide
Andrographis
Alstonia scholaris
Asteraceae
Allyl sulfide
Acemannan
Algal protein
Alliin
Alantolactone
bee propolis
Bacillus indicus
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
betulinic acid
Butea monosperma
Brazilian peppertree
bee hive
Basidiomycota
Bacillus licheniformis
Brevibacillus laterosporus
bee products
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
bacteria
Blue-Green Alage
Bacillus
benzyl isothiocyanate
baicalin
coconut
capric acid
Calotropis gigantea
coconut oil
carvacrol
Chinese raisintree
cinnamic acid
citral
Centipeda
chalcone
Clostridium butyricum
cinnamaldehyde
copaiba oil
Dichrostachys glomerata
European Elder
Embelia
eugenol
flavonoids
Fomes fomentarius
fungus
gallic acid
glyceryl monolaurate
Guava
garlic
golden shower tree
honey
heal-all
Houttuynia
Helicteres isora
Herb Robert
isoquinoline alkaloids
Isatis
Indian coraltree
Indian fagonia
Kefir
Lactobacillus plantarum
Litsea
lichen
lysozyme
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lantana camara
Leptospermum scoparium
Lactobacillus
L. lactis
Lysimachia
Lauric arginate
Mushroom
Naphthoquinones
Nisin
Nigella seed
Nasturtium
Nimbidin
Oroxylum indicum
Oleuropein
Osha
Oligosaccharides
Onosma bracteatum
Phycocyanin
Propolis
Premna
polysaccharides
pagoda tree
polylysine
Paenibacillus polymyxa
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
phlorotannins
Platycodon
Paris polyphylla
Pleurotus eryngii
Physalis angulata
Petiveria
Plectranthus amboinicus
red alder
Rhus coriaria
Spilanthes
Sicklepod
Sophora
Sesbania
Spanish Needle
Streptomyces
Streptomyces cellulosae
Self-Heal
Sweet Annie
Solanum indicum
Streptomyces fradiae
Sarcandra glabra
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Streptomyces griseoflavus
saponins
Simaruba
Sulfated polysaccharide
Terminalia
Thymoquinone
Tannins
Tamaricaceae
Thymol
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Tulbaghia
Trametes
Tagetes
Thiosulfinate
Tremella
Wrightia tinctoria
Xanthorrhizol
Other health conditions supported by Platycodon
AdenitisAllergies (respiratory)
Angina
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Asthma
Bronchitis
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Fever
Glands (swollen lymph)
Inflammation
Influenza
Laryngitis
Lymph Nodes or Glands (swollen)
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic
Sinus Infection
Wheezing