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 Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is a popular code which fully represents the will and demand of the
December 27, 2025
The Constitution of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is a popular code which fully represents the will and demand of the
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, received a message
December 27, 2025
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, received a message
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the
December 27, 2025
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the
An inaugural ceremony of regional-industry factories and leisure complex in Kaephung District for the "Regional Development 20×10
December 27, 2025
An inaugural ceremony of regional-industry factories and leisure complex in Kaephung District for the "Regional Development 20×10
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a floral basket from Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the CentralCommittee of
December 27, 2025
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a floral basket from Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the CentralCommittee of
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a congratulatory letter from foreign diplomatic corps in the Democratic People's
December 27, 2025
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a congratulatory letter from foreign diplomatic corps in the Democratic People's
One day in May 2015, the participants in the Second National Conference of Exemplary Young People of Virtue held in the capital
December 27, 2025
One day in May 2015, the participants in the Second National Conference of Exemplary Young People of Virtue held in the capital
An inaugural ceremony of regional-industry factories in Yomju County was held with splendour on the 26th. Present at the ceremony
December 27, 2025
An inaugural ceremony of regional-industry factories in Yomju County was held with splendour on the 26th. Present at the ceremony
A lecture was given at the Central Youth Hall on the 26th to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of the enactment of the Constitution
December 27, 2025
A lecture was given at the Central Youth Hall on the 26th to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of the enactment of the Constitution
New modern houses representing the rural civilization of Korean style were built in South Hwanghae Province. Those houses built at
December 27, 2025
New modern houses representing the rural civilization of Korean style were built in South Hwanghae Province. Those houses built at
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sent a message of
December 27, 2025
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sent a message of
Five scientists were selected as the best IT experts in 2025 at the "National IT Successes Exhibition--2025". Among them is Jong
December 26, 2025
Five scientists were selected as the best IT experts in 2025 at the "National IT Successes Exhibition--2025". Among them is Jong
A meeting to hear stories about virtues of the great leaders was held by agricultural workers and members of the union of
December 26, 2025
A meeting to hear stories about virtues of the great leaders was held by agricultural workers and members of the union of
The performance "People's Country" was given by the Workers' Art Squad of the Central Committee of the General Federation of Trade
December 26, 2025
The performance "People's Country" was given by the Workers' Art Squad of the Central Committee of the General Federation of Trade
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a wreath to the bier of the late Kim Chang Son, Department Director of the State Affairs
December 26, 2025
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a wreath to the bier of the late Kim Chang Son, Department Director of the State Affairs
The performance "My Country Is the Best" was given by the Art Squad of the Central Committee of the Socialist Women's Union of
December 26, 2025
The performance "My Country Is the Best" was given by the Art Squad of the Central Committee of the Socialist Women's Union of
There is a spectacles shop at the Ryugyong General Ophthalmic Hospital in Pyongyang, the capital of the Democratic People's
December 26, 2025
There is a spectacles shop at the Ryugyong General Ophthalmic Hospital in Pyongyang, the capital of the Democratic People's
There is the Okryu Children's Hospital in Pyongyang, the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. One day in July
December 26, 2025
There is the Okryu Children's Hospital in Pyongyang, the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. One day in July
Foreign organizations and personages made public statements on the occasion of the 14th anniversary of the demise of the great
December 26, 2025
Foreign organizations and personages made public statements on the occasion of the 14th anniversary of the demise of the great
Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
December 26, 2025
Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
More Articles
