Balloon plant/heart seed
Heart seed / balloon plant
[Cardiospermum halicacabum.]

Heart seed: Climbing plant for plagued allergy sufferers

The balloon vine you can directly see its relation to diseases of the air. The fruiting stem of the plant looks like an inflated balloon, hangs on the plant disproportionately and contains the real secret of this plant. The plant has a cortisone-like anti-inflammatory effect, so it is very popular for skin problems and rheumatic diseases. And, of course, the allergy sufferer. The allergy sufferer is tormented non-stop by the air and its pollen, so only an airy plant can really provide relief!

Heart Seed Facts

Did you know that...

... Cardiospermum likes to climb in tree tops and grows so much that the tree top collapses?
... the saponin-containing fruits foam in water and are used for washing?
... the plant got the nickname halicacabum=Greek salt barrel because the balloons look like small salt barrels?

What are heart seeds?

Balloon vine owes the name heart seed to its heart-shaped seeds. It is a plant that is actually native to the tropics and subtropics. It is a herbaceous, highly proliferating climber that can reach a growth height of up to 3.5 meters. However, it flowers when it is still quite a small plant and then forms airy balloon fruits up to 5cm in size that contain the plant's seed. Each of these black seeds is marked with a heart-shaped white spot, which gives the plant its name. Meanwhile, the plant has also become native to Germany and is regularly cultivated.

General and healing properties of heart seeds

The basic knowledge

Anti-inflammatory

Cardiospermum is anti-inflammatory. It is therefore a popular medicinal plant for non-infectious inflammations, as it soothes the inflammation and thus usually contributes to relief for the person being treated. Due to this cortisone-like effect, it is very popular for the treatment of rheumatic diseases and skin inflammations.

Antiallergic

Heart seeds are anti-allergic. When the hay fever season approaches, it's back to inflamed sinuses and constant sniffles. The cortisone-like effect of the balloon vine stops inflammation and lowers histamine levels, so that the symptoms are drastically alleviated.

Anti-itch

Cardiospermum is antipruritic. Inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis or neurodermatitis tend to itch terribly. The reason is a constant increased blood flow due to the latent inflammation of the skin. The balloon vine reduces the inflammation and thus also the itching.

Moisturizing

The balloon plant is moisturizing. Inflamed skin areas tend to become brittle and cracked. They are an entry point for infections, they burn and hurt. Cardiospermum nourishes the skin and restores moisture and elasticity. The cracks can heal and the entry point is closed again.

Cardiospermum: Ingredients

The composition of the ingredients reflect the anti-inflammatory and antipruritic action of the plant. You can find the following ingredients in the heart seeds:
  • Triterpene saponins
  • Halicaric acid
  • Catechingerbstoffe
  • Terpenes
  • Flavonoids
  • Quebrachitol
  • Phytosterols

 

Heart seeds: Effect for body and mind

The herbal seeds are used in naturopathy for inflammatory, non-infectious diseases. Autoimmune is the keyword here and means that no bacterium, fungus or virus is responsible for the inflammatory event. So we are talking about diseases such as neurodermatitis, psoriasis, hives, acne, joint and soft tissue rheumatism, allergies and hay fever. Depending on where the inflammation takes place, ointments and creams or drops and tablets are used. Cardiospermum has been especially recommended for skin and mucous membrane issues, as it is good at relieving itching.

Features balloon plant

  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Anti-itch
  • Antiallergic
  • Antirheumatic
  • Moisturizing

Fields of application in naturopathy

[Cardiospermum halicacabum.]
Its cortisone-like effect makes Cardiospermum interesting in the inflammations that do not have infection as a cause. The most common application is in skin diseases. Most often a cream or ointment is used. However, internal application as drops, tablets or spray is also common to use Cardiospermum in systemic processes.

Heart seed: Effect on inflammation

More generally, Cardiospermum is popularly used for non-infectious inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory effect is used to provide relief and alleviation for the patient. In this context, it is usually a component of mixtures that go in a similar direction.

Heart seeds for allergies

For allergies in acute phases Cardiospermum is a boon. Both in allergic eye inflammation and contact allergies of the skin Cardiospermum is the remedy of choice, because its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect relieves the affected areas. They decongest and therefore no longer itch.

Heart seed: Effect on allergic skin diseases

Allergic skin diseases are usually accompanied by severe itching. One scratches the spot, breaks the skin barrier and opens the door for secondary infections. Since Cardiospermum is anti-inflammatory and thus itch-relieving, one no longer scratches at the wound, it can close and heal. The skin barrier is restored and the danger of a secondary infection is averted.

Heart seeds for rheumatism

In rheumatic diseases, an overactive, misdirected immune system is the problem. The body inflames some areas for no apparent reason or cause. Often affected are the fine, serous skins of the joints, the muscles but also the internal organs. Cardiospermum is anti-rheumatic due to its cortisone-like effect and can help to control the inflammation of rheumatism. It is usually used both internally and externally.

Heart seed: Effect for hay fever

During the acute phases of hay fever Cardiospermum is a boon. Hay fever is extremely unpleasant and massively affects the well-being, because the nose is constantly running and itching. Cardiospermum is often taken in such cases, because its anti-inflammatory effect relieves nasal mucous membranes. They swell, itch and drip no longer and hay fever loses its terror.
application area-hay fever

Heart seed: Effect on insect bites

Insect venom usually contains a lot of proteins and thus triggers strong allergic reactions in the skin or even systemically. The result is a burning, itching, throbbing and heated swelling. Since Cardiospermum has both an anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effect, it is the first choice for such insect bites to get the unpleasant symptoms under control.

Heart seed for hives

Hives are also associated with allergic contact reactions. In hives, unpleasant, itchy water blisters form on the skin. Cardiospermum calms the inflammation of the skin, takes away the itching and allows the skin to reabsorb the liquid of the nettles. 

Notes on the use of heart seeds

Most often cardiospermum is used in the form of creams, as it is much used for the treatment of skin diseases. However, Cardiospermum preparations are also available as drops, tinctures, spagyric sprays or as a component of tea mixtures. For therapy, the application of the preparations is usually recommended several times a day.

Balloon plant during pregnancy & lactation

The use of Cardiospermum preparations such as ointments, homeopathic dilutions and spagyric preparations is safe during pregnancy and lactation.

Discover our sprays

With natural methods such as the individual spagyric sprays from Zimply Natural, complaints can be treated and sustainably alleviated.

Use healing power of heart seeds

Use the healing power of the balloon plant and our other more than 100 medicinal plants for the natural relief of your complaints. Improve your well-being and support your body, your mind and your soul! Use our configurator to create your personal spagyric spray, which is tailored to your needs and accompanies you on your natural path to the improvement of body, mind and soul.

Profile

Balloon plant in the form of round, light green balls, like balloons

Name

Heart seed / balloon plant

Botanical name

Cardiospermum halicacabum

Plant family

Soap tree family

Other designations

Balloon plant

Flowering

June - July

Harvest time

June - July

Location

sunny

Origin

Africa, America, India

Flower color

white

Flower shape

five-leaf

Leaf color

light green

Leaf shape

Triangular jagged

Sheet properties

sawn edge

Soil type

loose, sandy

Soil moisture

Normal damp

ph-value

neutral

Lime compatibility

medium

Nutrient requirements

rather high

Toxicity

non-toxic

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