Jie Geng Tang — Platycodon Decoction

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

Overview

Jie Geng Tang — the “Platycodon Decoction” — is from Zhang Zhongjing’s Shang Han Lun. In its original simplest form it is just two herbs — Jie Geng plus Gan Cao — for acute sore throat with Heat-toxin. The same two-herb pair appears in later expanded forms (e.g. Jie Geng Tang variations in Sun Simiao’s Qian Jin Yao Fang) for lung abscess (fei yong) with cough, foul phlegm and chest pain. The combination is one of the most enduring TCM treatments for throat pain and an important model for the principle of using a small focused dyad to address acute upper-burner Heat-toxin.

I prescribe Jie Geng Tang as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Jie Geng Tang is prescribed for Heat-toxin in the Lung and throat:

• Acute sore throat
• Possibly with cough
• Possibly with thick yellow phlegm
• Possibly chest pain or oppression (in lung abscess)
• Possibly low-grade fever
• Tongue — red, yellow coat
• Pulse — slippery, rapid

Key herbs

1. Jie Geng (platycodon root) — chief; opens the Lung; benefits the throat; drains pus
2. Gan Cao — clears Heat; resolves toxin; soothes the throat; harmonises

Formula actions

1. Opens the Lung
2. Benefits the throat
3. Resolves Heat-toxin
4. Drains pus (in expanded versions for lung abscess)

Conditions treated

1. Acute sore throat, pharyngitis or tonsillitis with Heat-toxin
2. Acute laryngitis with hoarseness
3. Productive cough with yellow phlegm
4. Lung abscess in the discharging phase (with antibiotics)
5. Bronchitis with phlegm and sore throat
6. Acute respiratory infection in children with sore throat — as a small base formula
7. Post-extubation hoarseness

Cautions

Severe sore throat with difficulty breathing or swallowing, suspected epiglottitis or peritonsillar abscess require urgent medical care.

Lung abscess requires conventional antibiotic therapy — herbs are adjunctive only.

Bacterial tonsillitis with high fever and lymphadenopathy may need antibiotics.

Often used as part of larger formulas rather than alone.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

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