Evidence supporting the use of: Balloon Flower
For the health condition: Sore Throat
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) has been used traditionally in East Asian medicine, particularly in Chinese and Korean herbal practices, to treat sore throat and other respiratory ailments. The root, known as “jie geng” in Chinese medicine, is included in various traditional formulas for pharyngitis, cough, and throat inflammation. The purported mechanism is its ability to “open up” the lungs, clear phlegm, and reduce inflammation. Scientific studies are limited but indicate that extracts of Balloon Flower root possess anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties in vitro and in animal models, which could theoretically alleviate throat irritation. However, high-quality human clinical trials specifically evaluating its effectiveness for sore throat are lacking. Most evidence comes from traditional usage and small preclinical studies rather than robust clinical validation. Therefore, while there is historical and some preclinical support for its use in sore throat, the evidence is not strong by modern scientific standards.
Other ingredients used for Sore Throat
allspicealoe vera
alpha-pinene
betel
bisabolol
black pepper
chamomile
dog rose
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
glehnia root
honeysuckle
Japanese sophora
licorice root
marshmallow
mint
spruce
platycodon root
sage
slippery elm bark
vitamin C
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
yellow root
boneset
mullein
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
chaff flower
yarrow
fritillaria
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
flowering quince
sweetgums
camphor oil
wood betony
horehound
Sichuan pepper
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
acacia
Agrimony
Alchornea
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Alchemilla
Asafoetida
Andrographis
Alsonia scholaris
allyl isothiocyanate
Adenophora
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Bee Propolis
Bryonia
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bougainvillea
Buddha's Hand
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Carvone
Cistus
Cubeb
Carlina
Calamus
Culvers Root
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
English Horsemint
Elder
Goldthread
Orsa salt
Spikenard
Other health conditions supported by Balloon Flower
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Allergies (respiratory)
Asthma
Bronchitis
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Fever
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Inflammation
Influenza
Laryngitis
Nausea and Vomiting
Sore Throat
Wheezing
Wounds and Sores