Heart Seed, Balloon vine

Cardiospermum halicacabum

Physical Characteristics

Cardiospermum halicacabum is a deciduous Climber growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - India. N. America. Africa. Locally naturalized in S. Europe[50].

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Shoots Edible Uses: Leaves and young shoots - cooked[1, 105, 177, 272]. Used as a spinach[2]. Edible parts: Leaves, Seeds, Fruit, Stems [1d].

Medicinal Uses

Diaphoretic Diuretic Emetic Emmenagogue Laxative Refrigerant Rubefacient Stomachic The whole plant is diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, emmenagogue, laxative, refrigerant, rubefacient, stomachic and sudorific[218]. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism, nervous diseases, stiffness of the limbs and snakebite[240, 243]. The leaves are rubefacient, they are applied as a poultice in the treatment of rheumatism[240, 243]. A tea made from them is used in the treatment of itchy skin[218]. Salted leaves are used as a poultice on swellings[218].The leaf juice has been used as a treatment for earache[240, 243]. The root is diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, laxative and rubefacient[240]. It is occasionally used in the treatment of rheumatism, lumbago and nervous diseases[240].

Known Hazards

None known