Mudakathan Keerai (Balloon Plant) Medicinal Properties & Health Benefits

Mudakathan leaves are used as a medicine in the Ayurvedic treatment from the ancient days. Balloon vine is one of the common names of this plant, and it is also called Love in a puff, heart seed, heart seed vine, etc. The scientific name of this plant is Cardiospermum halicacabum; you can easily find this climbing plant in the tropical and subtropical regions. This mudakathan has amazing nutritional values so it is an excellent ingredient for diet.

Due to its medicinal properties and health benefits, it is used for hair growth and helps treat joint pain. The fresh mudakathan leaves and dried mudakathan powders are used for the home remedy. Using the mudakathan keerai, you can also prepare some dishes like mudakathan keerai soup, mudakathan keerai dosai, mudakathan keerai thuvaiyal, mudakathan keerai chutney, and mudakathan keerai rasam. The oil prepared by using the mudakathan keerai helps to stop hair fall, and it promotes hair growth.

Mudakathan Plant Description

Mudakathan is a perennial climber, the fruit of this plant looks like a balloon. You can easily identify this plant with the leaves and beautiful green fruit like a balloon. In Tamil Nadu, you can easily find this mudakathan keerai in the wastelands and roadsides. The younger mudakathan plant is used for cooking and remedies.

Nutritional Values in Mudakathan Keerai

The 100 grams of mudakathan leaves contains  61 calories, 4.7 grams of protein, 9 grams of carbohydrate, and 0.6 grams of fat, and this mudakathan keerai is also rich in calcium, minerals, phosphorus, and iron.

Table of Contents

Common Names of Mudakathan

• Botanical Name: Cardiospermum halicacabum
• Tamil Name: முடக்கற்றான் / Mudakathan Keerai
• English Name: Balloon Plant Leaves
• Hindi Name: कपालफोड़ी / Kapalphodi
• Kannada Name: Agniballi, Bekkinatoddinaballi, Erumballi
• Malayalam Name: ജ്യോതിഷ്മതി / Jyotishmati
• Telugu Name: బుద్ధకాకర / buddakakara
• Odiya Name: sakralata
• Marathi Name: kanphuti, shibjal, kakumardanika
• Bengali Name: Lataphatkari
• Sanskrit Name: Indravalli
• Assamese Name: Kapal Phuta
• Nepali Name: ज्योतिसमाति Jyotismati

10 Medicinal Properties of Mudakathan Keerai

Anti Diarrheal Property

The extract of the mudakathan keerai has the antidiarrhoeal property; due to this property, it is traditionally used for particular places in India. Some researches proved that this mudakathan keerai has flavonoids, tannins, sterols, alkaloids, saponins, and triterpenes.

Anti-ulcer Property

It is one of the important properties of this mudakathan keerai. The extract of the mudakathan keerai by steaming the leaves in the water has the anti-ulcer property. This mudakathan keerai can be used in the diet for the people who are suffering from acidity. Consuming these leaves in the form of soup provides an excellent benefit to them. You can also check best herbs to treat ulcer article; all the herbs in that article has high level of anti-ulcer properties that can effectively treats ulcer. 

Anti-Arthritic Property

Mudakathan keerai is traditionally used to treat arthritis. The mudakathan keerai is usually given in the form of rasam and dosai to the person who is suffering from arthritis. The regular consumption of mudakathan keerai is a great benefit to reduce pain and inflammation.

Increases Fertility

The mudakathan keerai helps to increase sperm count and sperm motility; this is one of the interesting properties of this herbal plant. Regularly using the mudakathan keerai for 30 days will help to increase the sperm count gradually, and also it helps to increase the serum testosterone level.

Antibacterial Property

All parts of the mudakathan plant have antibacterial properties; due to this property, it can effectively fight against the bacteria, such as Staphylococcus Aureus, Salmonella, E.coli, Aeromonas, and Pseudomonas. The seed coat of this plant has the maximum antibacterial property.

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Property

Mudakathan Keerai has excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The glycosides, flavonols, and phenols of the mudakathan keerai are responsible for these properties. This herbal plant also has the analgesic property that helps to reduce all kinds of inflammation pains.

Antifungal Property

The mudakathan keerai has a high level of the antifungal property. The rutin and luteolin chemical components of this herbal plant are responsible for this property.

Mosquito Repellent Property

When applying the mudakathan keerai paste on the skin, it is performed as a mosquito repellent. This is another interesting property of the mudakathan. Studies say the extract from the ethanol leaves is used to protect from the three types of mosquito bites very efficiently. The three types of mosquitoes are Aedes Aegypti, Culex Quinquefasciatus, and Anopheles Stephensi.

Antipyretic Property

Due to the fever-reducing property of this mudakathan keerai, it is one of the best remedies to reduce malaria fever. Having one cup of mudakathan keerai soup helps to cure a cold, fever, and headache, this soup sufficiently reduces the fever and pain. There are some other herbs are also has good amount of antipyretic properties that will effectively treats cold and cough, you can check here. 

Anticonvulsant Property

Mudakathan keerai also has a convulsant property. When given the extract of the mudakathan keerai to the electric shock rat, that proves it helps to gradually reduce the convulsions. The whole plant is used for the extract, and the dosage is 350 mg of extract for 1 kg of body weight.

9 Health Benefits of Eating Mudakathan Keerai / Baloon Vine Leaves

Effective for Constipation

Mudakathan keerai is the best medicine for constipation. The gastric and laxative properties of the mudakathan leaves are beneficial in treating constipation. Consuming the decoction of the mudakathan leaves provides excellent relief from constipation.

Also Read: Best herbs for constipation

Treating Piles

The vascular structures present in the anal canal is called piles; it is also known as hemorrhoids. When the vascular structures become inflamed or swollen, it is known as disease. This causes more difficulties for the person. Mudakathan keerai is effectively used to treat piles. Frequently consuming the soaked water of mudakathan leaves helps to cure piles efficiently.

Treating Cough

Cough is one of the common health problems in our life. Consuming the mudakathan provides good relief from cough. Soak the mudakathan or balloon vine into the mud pot with water. Then consuming the soaked water will help to free from cough.

Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

It is also known as an autoimmune disorder; this will affect the joints, and it causes the joints to become swollen. People who have rheumatoid arthritis have pain in their joints. Due to the anti-inflammatory property of the mudakathan keerai, it provides good relief from the pains. Fry the mudakathan leaves using the ginger oil. Allow the leaves to cool for some time and apply it on the affected place. It provides good relief from pain.

Cures Hydrocele

Most of the men have a hydrocele problem, and it is very tough to find. Applying the mudakathan leaves paste on the scrotal area is the best solution to cure this problem. By using the mudakathan leaves paste, you can avoid the hydrocele surgery.

Treating Menstrual Problem

Women are facing a lot of problems in their periods or menstruation time. The mudakathan leaves provide excellent relief for their problems. Fry the mudakathan leaves in coconut oil and tie it on the abdomen for a few hours at the menstruation time. Doing this process two times per day will help to get better relief from menstrual cramps.

Relief from Scalp Itches and Dandruff

Nowadays, dandruff has become a common problem, and people are trying a lot of ways to get rid of dandruff. The mudakathan leaves provide a good solution for this problem. Mix the mudakathan leaves with the gingelly oil and rinse it on the hairs. This will help to treat both scalp itchy and dandruff.

Treating Skin Problem

Mudakathan is a good remedy for skin problems. The extract of the balloon vain plant helps to treat all kinds of skin problems. By applying the mudakathan extract with the turmeric powder will help to cure eczema. Some other herbs also helps to treat skin problems in ayurveda. 

Treating Ear Problems

The extract of the mudakathan leaves will help to cure ear problems. Few drops of mudakathan leaves extract will effectively treat ear pain.

Mudakathan Keerai Food Recipes for Good Health

Mudakathan Keerai Dosa for Joint Pain

Mudakathan keerai dosai is one of the popular ways to use mudakathan leaves. The people who are suffering from joint pain, arthritis, and inflammation must try this dosai for twice or thrice in a week. Mixing the mudakathan keerai paste with the idli batter is the easiest way of preparing the mudakathan keerai dosai. Mudakathan keerai dosai is a tasty and nutritious dish. It can also be given to the children for their vitamins and nutrients.

INGREDIENTS

• Mudakathan Keerai leaves
• 1 Green Chilli
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 cup idli batter

DIRECTIONS:

Step 1: Wash a handful of mudakathan keerai. 
Step 2: Grind the mudakathan keerai leaves with a green chili and cumin seeds to make it a fine paste.
Step 3: Add the paste with a cup of idli batter, the batter should not be too thick or thin.
Step 4: By using the mixture, make a dosa and serve it with the coconut chutney.

Mudakathan Keerai Soup for Cold and Cough

Mudakathan Keerai soup is the most popular dish that is highly preferred when people have a cough, cold, or fever. This soup has a high level of nutrition, and it is also good for convalescents.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup mudakathan keerai leaves
• 5 peppercorns
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• Garlic
• 1/2 tsp ghee

DIRECTIONS:

Step 1: First, take the 5 peppercorns, 2 cloves of garlic, and 1/2 tsp of cumin seeds and pound it very well.
Step 2: Heat the iron vessel and heated the 1/2 tsp ghee.
Step 3: Fry the pounded spices in the ghee for a few seconds with low flame.
Step 4: Add the 1/2 cup mudakathan keerai and fry it until it is wilted.
Step 5: Add 2 cups of water and allow the leaves to cook. Add required salt in the halfway of cooking leaves.
Step 6: Once the leaves are completely cooked, remove the vessel from the fire and allow it to cool for some time.
Step 7: By using the potato masher, mash the ingredients, and strain it.

Mudakathan Keerai Thuvaiyal for Arthritis

Mudakathan keerai thuvaiyal is another excellent recipe by using the mudakathan keerai. If you are using the mudakathan keerai to treat joint pain, it is better to know the different dishes with it. Making the same dishes, again and again, will get boring. If you are a rice lover, you will love this thuvaiyal with a few homemade ghee drops.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup of mudakathan keerai
• 1 tsp oil
• 2 red chilies
• 1 tsp split urad dhal
• 1/8 cup coconut
• 1/8 cup coconut

DIRECTIONS:

Step 1: Heat 1 tsp of oil in the heavy-bottomed pan and fry the 1 tsp of urad dhal and red chilies and keep it aside.
Step 2: Fry the 1/4 cup of mudakathan keerai completely in the same pan and keep it aside.
Step 3: fry the 1/8 cup of coconut with a tsp of tamarind.
Step 4: Grind fried everything into a thick paste by using salt and boiled water.

Side Effects of Mudakathan Keerai

Mudakathan keerai has a very low amount of toxicity so that it is very safe to consume for everyone. The children and pregnant women can also consume moderate level mudakathan keerai. But if you take excess level of mudakathan like other greens, it may cause stomach problems. If you consume the mudakathan keerai in the form of powder, you have to use the limited dosage that is mentioned in the packet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to use mudakathan keerai externally for joint pain?

Using mudakathan leaves both internally and externally will help to get the fast result. The compress prepared by using mudakathan keerai is good for external use. 

You can make this compress by using the mudakathan keerai or the vadanarayana leaves, which results in joint pain treatment. This compress will provide temporary relief from arthritis pain and joint pain.

How to make the compress for joint pain?

Heat the castor oil in the vessel and fry the mudakathan leaves in the lower flame. By using the pure white cotton cloth, place the heated leaves, and make the leaves into a bundle, using this compress can get better relief from joint pain. 

The castor oil may flow from the bundle at the time of pressing the compress, so make sure not to wear good cloth at treatment time. If the compress loses the heat, you can overheat it by using the hot tawa.

How to grow mudakathan keerai at home?

By using the seeds, you can grow the mudakathan keerai at home. Bury the seeds into the soil and sprinkle the water every day to prevent soil drying. 

The seeds sprout up within 2 weeks. Mudakathan is a climber so it is better to plant it near the fence. Mudakathan keerai spreads fast on the fence. 

Where to buy Mudakathan Keerai?

Mudakathan keerai is one of the herbs available in every market, but you have to make sure that the herb is fresh before buying. Usually, the mudakathan keerai powder is recommended to consume for arthritic pain relief. You can also plant this herb in a pot at home so that daily you can get the fresh leaves. 

Most of the herbal remedies require fresh herbs. The requirement of the fresh herb is the main reason most people do not follow the herbal remedies. If you are living in the village or not, it is next to impossible to get the fresh herbs every day from the market. 

Growing the herb in the home is the best solution for this problem. The herb used for a long period of time like mudakathan is better to grow in the home.This herb is very easy to grow than the ornamental plants, and it does not need more maintenance.

How to Prepare Mudakathan Keerai oil?

By using the mudakathan keerai, you can prepare the homemade oil to treat dandruff. Boil the mudakathan leaves with the sesame oil and massage your hair; using oil before the hair wash will help to the hair growth. 

Applying the homemade oil regularly is a good treatment for scalp itches. You can easily prepare the hair rinse of mudakathan keerai by boiling the leaves in the water. Then strain the water and use it as a hair rinse. If you prepare a lot of hair rinse, you can store it in the refrigerator.