Intense feelings of passion entered my space as I held the mysterious love seeds in my hands. As I sat in my bedroom determining what to do about those deep intense feelings, I felt the urge to write about silent doctor love-in-a-puff or Cardiospermum halicacabum.
Love-in-a-puff? What is this she writing ’bout now? My immediate response is what do you hope for this Independence? (a) Financial bliss? (b) improved sex drive? (c) a reliable mosquito repellent? or (d) a multipurpose silent doctor?
If your answer is all of the above then your wish has come true. So, please continue reading this article to be further re-educated about this forgotten herbal legend. This legend is also an unpopular road side and gully vine and gracefully adorns many residential fences. It is sometimes unkindly referred to as a pesky weed.
My first contact with love-in-a-puff also known as balloon or showy balloon vine, heart seed, heart pea and smooth leaved heart pea was when I roamed the gullies.
This plant resides at my home where it continues to have a private war with silent doctor cerasee. Love-in-a-Puff has very mysterious seeds. The black seeds have a white heart on them. As we continue to fight the mosquito viruses, this plant will come in handy as an excellent mosquito repellent. Research conducted by Govindarajan M & Sivakumar R. (2012) revealed that it is useful against the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
On the website https://www.mcgill.ca/files/mchg/MedicinalPlants.pdf, it is cited as a traditional aphrodisiac/sexual enhancer.
In some countries it is used at the folklore level and research shows that the leaves and young shoots are used in place of spinach. It is used for many health challenges including in hair oils for dandruff, alopecia and darkening the hair. It can also treat eczema, colds, fever, constipation, urinary tract infections, respiratory challenges, high blood pressure, sprains, pulmonary complaints and hemorrhoids. In Martinique, it is used as a diuretic and a stimulant.
A UK website revealed that “it can be a helpful alternative to steroids”.
Love-in-a-Puff was around for many years and can assist as we struggle with our finances. Readers who want to provide a commercial natural insect repellant can conceptualise a business plan with this silent doctor in mind. Also, those who struggle with decreased sex drive and want to perform better can research this love plant.
Finally, during the national Independence celebrations in Barbados that must implore the heritage gurus to place Love-in-a-Puff in its rightful place as an unsung healing herbal treasure in the anticipated state-of- art national herbal gallery.
• Annette Maynard-Watson, a teacher and herbal educator, may be contacted via silentdoctors@gmail.com or by telephone 250-6450.
DISCLAIMER: It is not our intention to prescribe or make specific claims for any products. Any attempts to diagnose or treat real illness should come under the direccton of your health care provider.