Energy boosting medicinal plant thrives in Ukhrul
Source: The Sangai Express
Ukhrul, August 20, 2012:
A team of Scientists and researchers from Manipur University has found the thriving of a medicinal plant known as Platycodon grandi-florous in Ukhrul district.
The team comprising Dr PK Singh, Professor of Life Sciences Department, MU; Pls Ramngacham, Under Secretary, Dept of Agri; MS Khaidem, Project Coordinator Manipur Small Farmers Agri-Business Consortium along with Research Scholars of Manipur University today visited Meizailung Village, 3kms from here to study the exotic growth of a medicinal plant reported at an altitude of 1654 metres above the mean sea level and North- 25 degree 7 minutes 45.3sec and East-94 degree 22minute 37.1sec to have been traditionally used both the leaves and roots by the villagers of the particular village as an energy booster.
The plant has been identified as Platycodon grandiflorous (Jacq.) A.DC � which is going to be the latest entry in lists of flora of Manipur.
It may be recalled that one LSWingthing of Meizailung village collected the rare species as an ornamental flower from Pushing Khun nearby Sirui Chinjao and started planting on his farm in the year 1992-1993. Later in a rare instance when one Lumi from Ukhrul once visited at The Republic of Korea and come to know that the same flower is of high medicinal values.
It is reported that the the root of this species (radix platycodon) is used extensively as an anti inflammatory in the treatment of cough and cold.
The herb has strong expectorant, antibacterial, anti fungal and the lowering of blood sugar.
Platycodon grandiflorous (Jacq.) A.DC is a perennial flowering plant of the family Companulaceae, and the only member of the genus Platycodon.
It is also known as balloon flower.
The word Platycodon is a Greek word, meaning - a broad bell.
This species, Platycodon, is known as in Chinese as bell flower.
Depending upon the region, it is also referred to as the Japanese bell flower, common balloon flower, or balloon flower.
It is native to East Asia ( China , Korea, Japan and East Siberia) and bears big, blue flowers, although varieties with white and pink flowers are there.
In Korea, white flowers are more common.
The plant grows up to the height from 0.5 to 0.8 meters.
It will thrive in sun and partial shed.
The plant favours well-drain, slightly acidic soil, and although the balloon flower plant will tolerate dry condition.
It prefers plenty of moisture.
The plant flower from July to August and the seed ripens from August to September.
The flowers are bi-sexual (have both male female organs).
It is easy to grow, the seeds can be directly sown in the garden or started indoors in the early spring.
After the seed have been sown in moist area, sprouting will start within a couple of weeks.
Generally, balloon flowers bloom within the same season, they are sown.
In Korea, the plant is known as Doraji and its root either dried or fresh is a popular ingredient in salad and traditional cuisine.
However Doraji (Chinese Bell Flower) should not be confused with Korean Bell Flower.
Chinese Bell flower is use in Chinese traditional medicine.
Japanese called bell flower as Kikyo.
In Manipur, the plant grows naturally at Pushing Khun , which is 30 kms far from Ukhrul towards Sirui Khunjao.
As far it has been reported, there are two varieties of Platycodon, one is Blue in colour known as " Balloon Blue" and the other is White in colour commonly known as "Fuji White".
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