Cardiospermum halicacabum L.
Aliases：Jiǎ Kǔ Guā (False Bitter Melon), Jiǎ Pú Dá (False Puda), Bāo Fu Cǎo (Bundle Grass), Fēng Chuán Gé (Wind-sailing Vine), Guǐ Dēng Lóng (Ghost Lantern), Sān Jiǎo Dēng Lóng (Triangular Lantern), Jīn Sī Kǔ Liàn (Golden-threaded Melia), Sān Jiǎo Téng (Triangular Vine), Dǎo Dì Líng (Ground-falling Bell), Zōng Zǐ Cǎo (Palm Seed Grass), Pào Zhǎng Guǒ (Cannon Palm Fruit), Bái Huā Zǎi Cǎo (White Flower Grass), Dài Téng Kǔ Liàn (Vine-bearing Melia), Dēng Lóng Cǎo (Lantern Grass), Sān Jiǎo Pào (Triangular Blister); Pào Bǔ Cǎo (Cannon Cloth Grass), Zōng Zǎi Cǎo (Palm Seedling Grass), Wāng Zǐ Mù Zhū (from Fujian Chinese Herbal Medicine).
Xiǎo Guǒ Dǎo Dì Líng is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb derived from the dried whole plant of Cardiospermum halicacabum L., a plant belonging to the genus Cardiospermum of the family Sapindaceae. This plant is a herbaceous climbing vine, 1–5 meters in length, with green stems that have 5–6 ridges and the same number of longitudinal grooves. The leaves are biternate compound, alternate, with a triangular outline; the flowers are creamy white; the capsule is pear-shaped, top-shaped, or subglobose, with 3 wings and a membranous inflated appearance; the seeds are black and glossy. It commonly grows in fields, thickets, roadsides, and forest edges.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat and promotes diuresis; reduces swelling and detoxifies.
Indications
Indicated for jaundice, various types of strangury (painful difficult urination), diabetes, whooping cough, pharyngitis (sore throat), eczema, oral ulcers, carbuncles and furuncles, and traumatic injuries.
Modern Pharmacology
Hypoglycemic effects: The total ethanol extract significantly lowers blood glucose levels in alloxan-induced diabetic mice and adrenaline-induced diabetic mice. Various extract fractions also show hypoglycemic effects. Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral effects. Lipid-regulating, immunomodulatory, and hepatoprotective effects. Heat-clearing, diuretic, blood-cooling, stasis-resolving, and detoxifying effects.
Ingredients
Its chemical constituents mainly include flavonoids, organic acids, coumarins, terpenoids, and steroids, among others.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 9–15 g (30–60 g for fresh herb). For external use: apply an appropriate amount, crushed and applied topically; or decocted in water for washing.
Contraindications
Contraindicated during pregnancy.
Selected Formulas
For various types of strangury (empirical formula) Take 9g of Xiaoguo Daodiling (Cardiospermum halicacabum), 12g of Jinqiancao (Lysimachia), and 6g of Lianqiancao (Glechoma). Decoct in water and drink. Alternatively, take 9g of Xiaoguo Daodiling and 6g of Lianqiancao, decoct in water and drink. For diabetes (empirical formula) Take 60g of fresh Xiaoguo Daodiling, decoct in water and drink. For whooping cough (empirical formula) Take 9–15g of Xiaoguo Daodiling, decoct in water, add rock sugar, and drink. For pharyngitis (empirical formula) Take 30g of fresh Xiaoguo Daodiling, decoct in water, add rock sugar, and drink. For opposing sore (carbuncle on the nape) (empirical formula) Take fresh leaves of Xiaoguo Daodiling, add a little salt and cold cooked rice, crush and apply externally. For furuncles (empirical formula) Take fresh whole plant or leaves of Xiaoguo Daodiling, add winter honey, crush and apply externally. For eczema (empirical formula) Take appropriate amounts of Sanjiaopao (Xiaoguo Daodiling), Shuiyangmei (a local herb), and Baijin (a local herb). First decoct the raw herbs in water for external washing, then apply the dry powder to the affected area, twice daily.
Medicinal Parts
The dried whole plant of Cardiospermum halicacabum L., a plant belonging to the family Sapindaceae.
Selection & Storage
Store in a ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture and mold.
