Cardiospermum halicacabum (Cardiospermum Halicacabum)
Other names: Lesser balloon vine, Balloon plant, Love in a puff
Harm score: 1 (Natural substances)
The heartleaf vine, also known by the English names "Lesser balloon vine", "Balloon plant" or "Love in a puff", is a slightly climbing plant that is native to tropical and subtropical areas of the United States, Central America and the Caribbean, but has been introduced to many other parts of the world. It is characterized by its tiny green to red flowers and pneumatic fruits that look like small balloons. These fruits contain seeds with a characteristic heart-shaped form, which is where the plant gets its name.
The heart-leaved plant is particularly popular for its attractive appearance and is often grown as an ornamental plant in outdoor gardens or indoors. But apart from that, the plant also has a number of practical uses. Its seeds, leaves and stems are also used in traditional medicine, where they are used to treat fever, kidney inflammation, rheumatism, bronchitis, asthma and many other diseases. The seeds also contain fatty acids and are used as a cosmetic oil. The plant is also included in many different products such as powders, ointments, teas, syrups or tinctures. It is also worth mentioning its use in the production of beverages - for example, in some countries it is used to make beer. Recently, the potential anti-carcinogenic effect of this plant has also been investigated.