The amazing benefits of Cardiospermum halicacabum
What is Cardiospermum halicacabum ?
Cardiospermum halicacabum, also known as balloon vine, is a climbing plant widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Australia and North America. Although it is often thought of as a weed along roads and rivers, this plant has incredible medicinal properties and has been used for centuries. In this blog post, we will explore the various uses and benefits of Cardiospermum halicacabum, as well as the products and reviews related to this amazing herb.
What is Cardiospermum halicacabum used for?
It is an herbaceous climber from the Sapindaceae family which is found in almost every Continent and Oceania. In the traditional Indian medicine systems, this plant is used for the treatment of rheumatism, abdominal pain, orchitis, dropsy, lumbago, skin diseases, cough, nervous disorders, and hyperthermia.
Cardiospermum halicacabum Chemical Constituents:
Phytochemical analysis of the acteone extract of mudakathan keerai showed the presence of tannins and flavonoids. Mudakathan keerai stem acetone extract showed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides and alkaloids. Mudakathan keerai seed coat acetone extract showed the presence of tannins and flavonoids.
Cardiospermum halicacabum Medicinal Uses:
- Anti Ulcer Properties:
Another important property of is it’s anti ulcer properties. Cardiospermum halicacabum extract got by boiling the leaves in water has a mild anti ulcer properties and people who suffer from acidity will greatly benefit including mudakathan keerai in your diet. Try to consume it in the form of soup given below.
- Anti Diarrheal Properties:
The water extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum has antidiarrhoeal activity and has been traditionally used for it in certain places in India. This has been proven through research and this is because of the presence of tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, sterols, triterpenes and saponins present in Cardiospermum halicacabum .
- Increases Fertility:
Another interesting property of Cardiospermum halicacabum is it’s ability to increase sperm motility and sperm count. Just having mudakathan keerai regularly for 30 days increases sperm count significantly and there was increase in serum testosterone level too.
- Anti Arthritic Activity:
Cardiospermum halicacabum has been used for treating arthritis in our place and this traditional use has been backed by research. We usually give mudakathan keerai in the form of dosai or rasam to patients suffering from arthritis regularly and it greatly helps reduce the inflammation and pain.
- Anti Inflammatory & Antioxidant Properties:
Cardiospermum halicacabum has amazing antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties. The flavonols, glycosides and phenols present in mudakathan keerai is responsible for it’s anti inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It also has analgesic properties (pain relieving properties) which makes it very effective for reducing all kinds of inflammations.
- Anti Bacterial Properties:
Cardiospermum halicacabum has powerful anti bacterial properties and all parts of the plant has anti bacterial properties and they are effective against five strains of bacteria (Salmonella, Staphylococcus Aureus, Aeromonas, E.coli and Pseudomonas). What surprised me was the seed coat had the maximum anti bacterial properties out of the three.
- Mosquito Repellent Properties:
Another interesting use of Cardiospermum halicacabum is it’s ability to repel mosquitoes when applied externally on the skin. For the study, the ethanol leaf extract was used and it repelled mosquito bites of three types of mosquitoes (Culex Quinquefasciatus, Aedes Aegypti and Anopheles Stephensi) very effectively!
- Anti Fungal Properties:
Cardiospermum halicacabum also have powerful anti fungal properties. The two chemical compounds that were responsible for the most anti fungal activity of Cardiospermum halicacabum are luteolin and rutin.
- Anti Convulasant Properties:
Cardiospermum halicacabum has anti convulasant properties too. Cardiospermum halicacabum alcohol extract when given to rats that were given electric shock reduced the convulsions greatly. For the extract the whole plant extract was used and the dosage used was 350 mg of extract for a kg of body weight.
- Anti Pyretic Properties:
Cardiospermum halicacabum has fever reducing properties too. It is also one of the best remedies for reducing malaria fever. If you are suffering from fever, cold and headache, try having a cup of warm Cardiospermum halicacabum soup , it will greatly help reduce the fever and pain.
