Growing to tall by wide, it is an herbaceous perennial with dark green leaves and blue flowers in late summer. A notable feature of the plant is the flower bud, which swells like a balloon before fully opening. The five petals are fused together into a bell shape at the base, like its relatives, the campanulas.
Ecology
Platycodon grandiflorus is a perennial plant which is commonly grown in mountains and fields. It is 40 to 100 centimeters high and has thick roots, and white juice comes out when the stem is cut. Leaves are 5 to 12 centimeters long, with narrow ends and teeth on the edges. Flowers bloom purple or white in July and August, with one or several running upward at the end of the circle. The flower crown is divided into five branches in the shape of an open bell. It lives throughout Japan, China, and eastern Siberia, including the Korean Peninsula.
Cultivation
This plant is hardy down to, and can therefore be cultivated in all temperate zones. It dies down completely in winter, reappearing in late spring and flowering in summer. However, plants are widely available from nurseries in full flower from April onwards. Though the species has blue flowers, there are varieties with white, pink, and purple blooms. In Korea, white flowers are more common. This plant, together with its cultivars 'Apoyama group' and 'Mariesii', have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Uses
Culinary
Korea
In Korea, the plant as well as its root are referred to as doraji. The root, fresh or dried, is one of the most common namul vegetables. It is also one of the most frequent ingredients in bibimbap. Sometimes, rice is cooked with balloon flower root to make bap. Preparation of the root always involves soaking and washing, which gets rid of the bitter taste. The root is also used to make desserts, such as doraji-jeonggwa. Syrup made from the root, called cheong, can be used to make cha. The root can be used to infuse liquor called sul, typically using distilled soju or other unflavored hard alcohol that has an ABV higher than 30% as a base. In addition, other ingredients include calcium, fiber, iron, minerals, proteins and vitamins. Bottlenose is a good product for its thick roots, faithful interior, and strong taste. It is used as an anti-inflammatory, Jinhae, analgesic, sedative, and fever agent. It is also effective in reducing cholesterol, which can be effective in blood related diseases and high blood pressure. Doraji is good for young children and elderly people who have weak immune systems that are vulnerable to respiratory diseases, as well as for asthma, which can be called respiratory illness.
Medicinal
The extracts and purified platycoside compounds from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum may exhibit neuroprotective, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-allergy, improved insulin resistance, and cholesterol-lowering properties. Evidence for these potential effects was mainly observed in vitro, with the exception of cholesterol lowering effects documented in vitro and in rats. The lack of efficacy and limited safety data in humans, however, necessitate further research.
In Korea, the roots are commonly used for treating bronchitis, asthma, tuberculosis, diabetes, and other inflammatory diseases.
Cultural
Japan
The bellflower is called kikyō in Japanese. Traditionally, it is one of the Seven Autumn Flowers. In addition, the "Bellflower Seal" is the crest of some clans.
Korea
Doraji taryeong is one of the most popular folk songs in both North and South Korea, and in China among the ethnic Koreans. It is also a well known song in Japan, by the name Toraji. It is a folk song originated from Eunyul in Hwanghae Province. However, the currently sung version is classified as a Gyeonggi minyo, as the rhythm and the melody have changed to acquire those characteristics.
