Interesting fact about Cardiospermum halicacabum L. (Karolio)

Miracle of the Nature


Scientific Name: Cardiospermum halicacabum L.
Gujarati Name: Karolio
Hindi Name: Kanphuti
Sanskrit Name: Jyotishmati


Plant based drug have been used globally for healing different illnesses in conventional system of medicines.

Around 80% of world’s population still depends on medicinal plants for their primary health care needs especially where modern medicines are not accessible. 

Cardiospermum halicacabum L. of the Sapindaceae family is a creeping herbaceous plant which propagates easily.



It is a tropical genus, widespread in India, South America, and Central Africa.

In warm climates it is a perennial species, whereas in rigid winter climates, it has an annual biological cycle.


Cardiospermum is the combination of the Latin word’s cardio meaning heart and sperma meaning seed. Seed is white heart shaped pattern on the seed.

Halicacabum is derived from the Latin word halicacabus, a plant with inflated fruits. 

It is commonly known as Ballon vine, Heart pea, Puff-ball, Heart seed vine.

It is a woody perennial vine. It is fast growing vine up to 10 feet. It is small, delicate, smooth climber. 

Leaves are ternate bicomponent and leaflets acuminate at the top. Leaf stalk is long, ridged, slim and with tiny stipules at the base. Its leaflets are mostly 3-part and pinnately lobed, having narrowed stalks.


Young leaves of the plant can be cooked as vegetables.

Stem is 5-grooved, slim and hairless to sparingly hairy.


FLOWER
Flowers are white in color and small. It is unisexual, zygomorphic, having straight pedicel. 

Fruits are membranous, depressed; pyriform casing branched at the angles.


FRUIT














Seeds are black in color having large white heart formed aril. 


Flowering season of this plant goes from July to August.

Seed ripening season is from August to October.



Chemical composition in plant:

Cardiospermum halicacabum L. has been reported to be a rich source of β-sitosterol, Stigmasterol, Flavonoids Alkaloids, Steroids, Terpenoids, Saponins, Sugar, Essential oil, Resin, Tannin.



Uses of Cardiospermum halicacabum L.

The whole plant has been used for several centuries in the treatment as Ayurveda medicine for constipation, rheumatism, stiffness of limbs, rate bite, fever and many diseased conditions. 

Fruit: The fresh juice of the fruit in a dose of 30-40 ml can produce a laxative effect and hence used in patients suffering from constipation. 

Root: The paste of the root is applied over the joints affected with pain (rheumatism), and inflammation as part of treatment.

The paste of the Fruit and Root is mixed with turmeric paste to treat cases of rat bite, snake bite, and spider poisoning.

The decoction (काढ़ा/ ઉકાળો) of the plant is given in dose of about 40 – 50 ml to treat orchitis (Inflammation of one or both of the testicles).

The decoction (काढ़ा/ ઉકાળો) of the plant with honey is given in a dose of 40 – 50 ml to treat cough and dyspnea (श्वास कष्ट).

The decoction (काढ़ा/ ઉકાળો) of the Root in a dose of 40 – 50 ml is given to treat case of diarrhea.


 Conclusion:

The multiple benefits of Cardiospermum halicacabum L. made it a true miracle of nature. Which may provide a meaningful way for the promotion of the traditional knowledge of the herbal medicinal plants.   



"Medicinal plant zone"


"To know about another plant, click on the link below."

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