Balloon Vine
The balloon wine or love in a puff is a tropical vine (the exact area of origin is not clear – some claim its homelands are Brazil and Argentina, some that it’s South Mexico or the Caribbean, others have attributed its origin to the Bermuda area) and it can grow up to 3 m tall and has most likely been transferred to the European ground, as a decorative plant at first, in the Middle Ages under unknown circumstances.
Botanist Carl von Linne was the first to name it in 1753, with cardiospermum – heart seeds – referring to the pea sized dark brown seeds with white spots in the shape of the heart, and halicacabum deriving from a Greek word meaning a barrel of salt and referring to the round balloon shaped fruit. Well, the Mexicans call the balloon vine “cat testicles”, while Puerto Ricans call it “the electrical light bulb”.
The main healing properties of the balloon vine lay in its leaves and stem, and the latest research shows they are more effective if the leaves are dried in a natural shade rather than with the industrial drying process. It is most appreciated for healing joint pains; in Sri Lanka, the young shoots are used to heal bone breaks, some women swear on its ability to prevent grey hairs and regulating the menstrual cycle, others use it to heal rheumatism, bronchitis and snake bites.
This plant is common in the east region of India and represents an important part of the Ayurvedic healing system. Externally, it is used to reduce tumours, soothe rheumatism, and back pains; its root to regulate delayed menstruation, to soothe back pains and arthritis. The leaves stimulate blood circulation, cleansing toxins from the body, soothe ear infections. Generally, the plant prides itself with sedative effects; it is also used to help with constipation and gastric uneasiness or to heal dandruff (in the form of a hair tonic).
In 1956, the balloon vine was introduced to homoeopathic medicine to aid with eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, infections, rashes, dry skin and various allergies, soothing their symptoms, such as sneezing, itchiness, nasal discharge, watering eyes, difficulties breathing.
The official scientific research on the balloon vine have shown the following: it lowers high body temperature; it is a natural anti-inflammatory agent and a rich source of antioxidants, a strong antibacterial agent, lowers blood sugar levels and offers a soothing effect to the insulin levels in the blood, arthritis, some forms of cancer, HIV-1 and HIV-2, and diminishes anxiety.
The balloon vine helps the skin in almost anything, from healing eczema to bacterial infections, even reduces swelling and pain in arthritis. It soothes itchiness, red and dry skin, prevents bacterial infections on open wounds. One of the studies on the balloon vine showed a faster anti-inflammatory effect than in paracetamol, with enviable antibacterial and antifungal effects as well.
In conclusion, it offers a triple effect; in skin infections, such as eczema, it not only helps reduce the infection and consequently the itchiness, but also reduces the possibility of secondary bacterial infections. Some research has shown that fungus also contributes to the emergence of eczema, therefore, the balloon vine reduces the possibility of the infection itself.