In India, especially South India one variety of Greens, (Leafy vegetables) is popular in containing Arthrctis and Rheumatism. It is the Balloon vine. Its botanical name is Cardiospermum helicacabrim. Its other vernacular names are:- Sanskrit – Karnasphota, Indiraballi
Hindi – Kanphuti, Telugu – Budda kakara,
Tamil – Modakathan keerai, English – Balloon vine, Blister creeper some texts give another english name to this leafy vegetable, that is Winter cherry. But another well known herb, Withania Somnifera (Aswagantha) is also called ” Winter cherry”.
 The Tamil name of this plant is self means ‘reliever of Joint disablities’. True to this name, Balloon vine, is used for treating Arthrities and Rheumatism sine ancient times. It is also used for the same purpose in Siddha medicine. Ballon vine is believed to be the favourite of ” Vayu Bhagawan” (God of the Winds) and hence can ably treat ‘vayu’ disorders.
 Ballon vine, as its name suggestes, is a creeper plant. It climbs around other plants or fencing. It’s green leaves look similar to Neem leaves. I he leaves grow in brunches of three, 2 to 5 inches long, with serrated edges (like neem leaves). The flowers are white, small and slightly fragrant and are seen throughout the year. One pair of peduncle change to tendrils and holding on to other plants / fencing, the creeper grows. Fruits are attractive – with tiny 1/2 inch to 1 inch size sphere like ballons. The upper part of the ballon are pale red in colour and the lower portion, is Green in colour. The seeds look like beads and are dark in colour when dried. Ballon vine needs moist soil. It is cultivated through seeds. Though it is raised throughout India, it is abundantly grown in Tamil Nadu & West Bengal.
General properties:- Diuretic, Anti – vata, Laxative, Stomachic. Helps better flow of blood to affected parts.
Parts used:- Roots, Leaves, entire plant.
Uses
• This leafy vegetable helps to activate again the joints, immobilised by Arthritis and Rheumatism. In chronic cases of Osteo – arthritis or Rheumatism, the disease restricts the movements of the afflicted persons and finally may completely arrest the joint functions. The patient loses all activities and is bed – ridden. Ballon – vine, taken regularly, helps to avoid this condition.
• This vegetable can be made into a soup by grinding the leaves with garlic, Jeera (cummin seeds), Black pepper, salt and onion and boiling. Drink this soup twice a day. Rheumatism and constipation are reduced. Fry the leaves in Ghee, add Ginger, Coriander leaves, black dal (Urad), Asafoetida and curry leaves and cook into a “Chutney”. This ‘Chutney’ is good medicine for joint problems. It short, Ballon vine can be cooked like any other green / leafy vegetable and added to our diet.
• Take equal quantities of Root and leaves, add Ginger, Pepper, Jeera and Gingelly oil. Make a ‘thailam’ with these ingredients. Apply this “Thailam” an the afflicted parts. For swellings, grind the plant stem and leaves in milk and apply this over the swollen joints. By consuming this plant regularly one can avoid morning rigidity and stiffness of limbs. Thailam made by grinding the leaves in Ground – nut oil can be used for external application It gives relief from body aches.
For Cough and Fever:-
 Add pepper, Jaggery to the leaves, Crush and into a decoction and consume.
For strengthening bones:- 
 Grind in water 100 gm rice + 25 gm Uraddal + one tsp of Jeera and make a dough, similar to the one prepared for making “Dosas”. Add to this dough a fist ful of Ballon vine leaves and make into “Dosas”. Take this once a week.
For menstruction problems in women:-
 The leaves and the roots are used in Siddha medicines to treat female mensturation disorders.
For skin diseases:-
 Gind the leaves to a paste, mix with a little coconut oil and apply over the affected parts.
For piles:-
 Pieces of the root is boiled in water and consumed. Take one part of plant seeds, equal quantity of Durva grass (Cynodon dactylon) and a few pepper. Grind these finely and eat this paste with a lemon sized quantity of Butter, first thing in in the morning on an empty stomach. Then drink a glass of butter milk. In 40 days, piles could be cured.