Bitterroot Restoration

 

Order: Sapindales
Family: Sapindaceae
Common name: Shib-jhul, Lataphatkiri, Naya phataki(Beng.); Balloon vine, Winter cherry, Heart’s pea(Eng.).
Life cycle: Perennial
Native Range: Native to Tropical America

They are fast growing to 10 feet with twice 3-parted leaves that will reach 4 inches long. The plants climb with tendrils and need some form of support. Cardiospermum halicacabum is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). Cardiospermum halicacabum need full sun to partial shade with a well-drained soil mix.

Cardiospermum halicacabum is used in the treatment of rheumatism, nervous diseases, stiffness of the limbs and snakebite. The leaves are rubefacient, they are applied as a poultice in the treatment of rheumatism. A tea made from them is used in the treatment of itchy skin. Salted leaves are used as a poultice on swellings. The leaf juice has been used as a treatment for earache. The root is diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, laxative and rubefacient.