Platycodon grandiflorum (Chinese bellflower) contains active constituents including triterpenoids, sterols, and saponins, particularly platycodin. Platycodin has been shown to exert an expectorant effect by increasing bronchial secretions (The Pharmacology of Chinese Herbs, pp. 285–286).
Traditional uses include dispersing phlegm, ventilating the lungs, and relieving sore throat. In traditional Chinese medicine, Platycodon grandiflorum is frequently used in herbal combinations and is valued for its ability to direct the actions of other herbs toward the upper body, particularly the lungs and throat.
