There are many well-known medicinal materials and edible herbs in the mountains of Korea.
Among them is platycodon (root of balloonflower) widely known to the people for its peculiar taste, fragrance and potency.
Platycodon looks like insam. So it is called a cousin of insam.
The Moranbong Ragwon Health Food Production Station has turned out black platycodon good for the improvement of the people's health by processing wild platycodon of Mt. Kumgang.
In the course of turning black, the saponin content of the black platycodon has got over 10 times higher than that of the ordinary one and its physiological activators increased.
If platycodon is likened to insam, black platycodon can be likened to red insam.
Black platycodon makes bronchial mucosa strong to prevent and improve bronchial disorders such as cough, sputum and asthma.
Polysaccharide inulin has outstanding blood sugar controlling effect to be called natural insulin. It greatly helps prevent and improve diabetes and is effective for preventing cancer.
The station also produces black platycodon tea, black platycodon concentrated juice and black platycodon for children.
The black platycodon processing technique was granted a national patent some time ago.
Technical Assistant Jin Myong Hun says:
"Generally, platycodon should be used a lot to cure respiratory diseases and tastes bitter. So it's quite uncomfortable for children to use. The black platycodon we developed, however, has sweet taste and the use of only one or two roots improves metabolism and immunity, producing big curative effects."
The production station is still striving to develop a larger number of functional foods conducive to improving the people's health.
More From Voice of Korea (EN)
The Jungsin Senior Middle School in Sosong District of the capital city of Pyongyang is known as an excellent unit for the good
February 06, 2026
The Jungsin Senior Middle School in Sosong District of the capital city of Pyongyang is known as an excellent unit for the good
A ceremony marking the start of regional development policy-oriented construction in Ragwon County took place in South Hamgyong
February 06, 2026
A ceremony marking the start of regional development policy-oriented construction in Ragwon County took place in South Hamgyong
The Korean Central News Agency made public a report under the title "Amazing Speed of Advance of Korean-Style Socialism, Great
February 06, 2026
The Korean Central News Agency made public a report under the title "Amazing Speed of Advance of Korean-Style Socialism, Great
Youth and students in Pyongyang met with a war veteran on the 5th in celebration of the 78th founding anniversary of the Korean
February 06, 2026
Youth and students in Pyongyang met with a war veteran on the 5th in celebration of the 78th founding anniversary of the Korean
A meeting of workers and trade unionists to hear stories about virtues of the great leader Kim Il Sung was held at the Central
February 06, 2026
A meeting of workers and trade unionists to hear stories about virtues of the great leader Kim Il Sung was held at the Central
There is the Ryongaksan Soap Factory in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. One day in June 2016, the respected Comrade Kim
February 06, 2026
There is the Ryongaksan Soap Factory in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. One day in June 2016, the respected Comrade Kim
The Pyongyang Municipal Industrial Art Exhibition for Celebrating February 16 began on the 5th. The exhibition held under the
February 06, 2026
The Pyongyang Municipal Industrial Art Exhibition for Celebrating February 16 began on the 5th. The exhibition held under the
Agricultural workers met with a Hero of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on the 5th on the occasion of the 78th founding
February 06, 2026
Agricultural workers met with a Hero of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on the 5th on the occasion of the 78th founding
There are many mineral water resources good for health in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. A lot of mineral waters
February 05, 2026
There are many mineral water resources good for health in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. A lot of mineral waters
Modern houses were built at the Kayang Farm in Unnyul County of South Hwanghae Province, and the Kyejong Farm in Kumchon County
February 05, 2026
Modern houses were built at the Kayang Farm in Unnyul County of South Hwanghae Province, and the Kyejong Farm in Kumchon County
Public and production buildings were built at the Taechong Farm in Unpha County of North Hwanghae Province, face-lifting the
February 05, 2026
Public and production buildings were built at the Taechong Farm in Unpha County of North Hwanghae Province, face-lifting the
Students in their final year at senior middle schools in the city of Nampho met with heroes at the Nampho Municipal Art Theatre.
February 05, 2026
Students in their final year at senior middle schools in the city of Nampho met with heroes at the Nampho Municipal Art Theatre.
North Hamgyong Province is pushing ahead with the work to strengthen the city and county design forces. The province takes
February 05, 2026
North Hamgyong Province is pushing ahead with the work to strengthen the city and county design forces. The province takes
Scientific researches for the protection and sustainable use of wetlands are active in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
February 05, 2026
Scientific researches for the protection and sustainable use of wetlands are active in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
One day in June 2016, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Pyongyang Kim Jong Suk Silk Mill. Looking round different
February 05, 2026
One day in June 2016, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Pyongyang Kim Jong Suk Silk Mill. Looking round different
Players of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea returned home after taking part in the 2026 International Wrestling
February 05, 2026
Players of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea returned home after taking part in the 2026 International Wrestling
Ceremonies to start the projects for the implementation of the regional development policy in 2026 took place respectively in the
February 04, 2026
Ceremonies to start the projects for the implementation of the regional development policy in 2026 took place respectively in the
New houses were built at the Woldang Farm in Sinwon County and the Rajinpho Farm in Yonan County of South Hwanghae Province.
February 04, 2026
New houses were built at the Woldang Farm in Sinwon County and the Rajinpho Farm in Yonan County of South Hwanghae Province.
Schoolchildren in South Hwanghae Province met a war veteran at the provincial art theatre on Monday. Present at the meeting were
February 04, 2026
Schoolchildren in South Hwanghae Province met a war veteran at the provincial art theatre on Monday. Present at the meeting were
Meetings were held at different units in the city of Kanggye of Jagang Province to mark the 20th anniversary of the great leader
February 04, 2026
Meetings were held at different units in the city of Kanggye of Jagang Province to mark the 20th anniversary of the great leader
More Articles
