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Platycodon grandiflorus, commonly known as balloon flower due to the unique shape of the plant’s flower bud, is a perennial, flowering shrub. Its balloon-like buds open up into 5 strikingly beautiful purple-blue petals with beautiful lobes. The plant is native to East Asia, Japan, and Siberia but has been domesticated around the world as an ornamental plant. In addition, the balloon flower health benefits have assisted in endearing the plant to many gardeners and herbal enthusiasts for centuries.
[Note: The Right Flowers is not a medical site. Knowledge of and information about the therapeutic benefits and applications of flowers, while known through the ages, does not constitute medical advice. If you are having health issues, you should consult with a physician.]
Initially, the plant was grown or gathered in the wild for its medicinal properties. Today, it is cultivated, harvested and used as a herbal remedy as it contains sterols, glucose, volatile oils, botulin acid, and saponins. When these chemicals are combined with other organic compounds in the plant they act quickly on the body to bring healing effects.
Balloon flower health benefits include:
Relieving gastrointestinal problems
Balloon flowers are great for relieving common gastrointestinal problems such as dysentery, stomach upsets, and ulcers. The ability to cure these gastrointestinal problems stems from the saponin properties in the plant.
Apart from helping relieve gastrointestinal issues, the plant is also great in regulating digestion and managing hemorrhoids.
Heart-friendly
Studies conducted on animal tests indicate that balloon flower extracts have significant ability to reduce bad cholesterol levels while increasing good cholesterol levels. This results in low chances of developing atherosclerosis, which reduces the probability of suffering from stroke significantly.
Liver friendly
The liver is often attacked by pesky parasites such as liver flukes. Studies show that balloon flower extracts have the ability to protect against various types of parasites by enhancing the liver’s efficiency and improving metabolism.
Anti-allergen
Emerging evidence indicates that consuming balloon flower roots is likely to lower the severity of allergic responses by inhibiting the release of histamines by the body. This can only herald good news for people suffering from seasonal and chronic allergic reactions.
Anticancer
A study published in the Journal of Molecular Medicine indicates that antioxidant compounds in the plant are highly effective in battling and neutralizing free radicals. These are dangerous byproducts of cellular respiration that causes unusual changes in the cells leading to various cancers.
Respiratory system relief
Balloon flowers contain compounds with expectorant properties which are great for easing congestion by breaking up mucus and phlegm. This gets rid of harmful pathogens that thrive in mucus, which help in preventing other opportunistic infections from developing and accelerate healing.
Unlike most herbal cures that fell out and waned with the advent of pharmaceutical products, the balloon flower has never lost its popularity. Instead, more evidence is emerging suggesting that this plant holds many health benefits compared to what is known to date.
