Cardiospermum halicacabum 倒地鈴

POISONOUS PARTS

Roots, leaves and seeds.^3,4

TOXICITY

• Toxic Constituents

  Saponins.^3,5

• Mechanism

  Large quantities of saponins may irritate the gastrointestinal tract.⁶

• Poisoning Features

  Vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Convulsion in severe cases.⁴

CLINICAL MANAGEMENT

Supportive treatment.

IDENTIFICATION FEATURES

Herbaceous climbers, 1–1.5 m or longer. Stems slender, 5–6-sulcate. Leaves biternate, triangular in outline; petioles 3–4 cm long; leaflets thinly papery, terminal one 3–8 × 1.5–2.5 cm, lateral ones slightly smaller, margin sparsely serrate or pinnately parted. Panicles; petals 4, milky-white. Capsules 1.5–3 × 2–4 cm, turbinate-obtriangular, pubescent. Seeds about 5 mm in diameter, black.⁷

MEDICINAL USES

Whole plant or fruits used in TCM: clear heat, induce diuresis, cool blood and remove toxin. Recommended dose: 9–15 g.^2,8