Earthnotes
Herb Library

Back to Herb Menu     Back to Index

DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.




BALLOON VINE
(Cardiospermum halicacabum)
[jia ku gua]
image 1 image 2
Images

PROPAGATION: By seed.
PART USED: Leaf and plant.

MEDICINAL USES:
In Chinese medicine a leaf tea has been used for itch and the salted leaves applied to swellings; the plant has been made into a decoction and used for bathing following surgical operations; a lotion has been made (combined with lime and selaginella) and applied to buboes in the groin.
In other medicinal disciplies (notably Ayurvedic), it is considered diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, emmenagogue, laxative, refrigerant, rubefacient, stomachic and sudorific.
The species as a whole has been used for abscesses, boils, earache, fever, lumbago, nerves, rheumatism and tumors.




©2000 & 2005 by Ernestina Parziale, CH

top