Medicinal Plants in Cardiospermum halicacabum Linn.
SAPINDACEAE
Balloon Vine, Heart Pea
Thai name :Khok Kra
Annual, climbing herb. Leaves ternately pinnate, alternate, 3-7 cm long; leaflets deltoid or ovate, 1-1.5 cm wide, 4-5 cm long. Inflorescence in axillary, long-stalked corymb or raceme with a pair of simple coiled tendrils near the base; flowers white. Fruit capsule, broadly pyriform, 3-cornered, membranous, 3-celled; seeds spherical, black with white heart-shaped accrescence.
Leaf: antiasthmatic, diuretic. Leaf juice: cough remedy. Stem: antipyretic. Flower or leaf juice: increases menstrual discharge. Fruit: crush with small amount of water and apply to relieve burns. Whole plant: antiasthmatic; treatment of arthritis. In animal tests, leaf extract possesses hypotensive and anti-inflammatory properties.
Volume 2
