Mudakathan (Balloon Vine) Rasam : Medicinated Sidedish for Body Pain

In South India medicine is considered as food and food is consumed as medicine. Mudakathan is the well known medicinal herb. Its botanical name is Cardiospermum halicababum (Family Sapindaceae). It is also called Balloon Vine, Balloonvine Heartseed, Heart-Pea, Heartseed, Lesser Balloonvine, Love in a Puff, Winter-Cherry (English) Kapalphoti, Khanphuti (Hindi) and Indravalli (Sanskrit). How this plant got the name baloon vine? It is obvius - see the baloon like seed pods. The raw leaf is slightly bitter in taste. It is available in plenty around river side and marshy fields. In India the plant was recognized by the prominent folk medicine. Ayurveda and Siddha physicians have documented the possible medicinal applications. The decoction or kashayam is taken for body pain.

Mudakathan (Balloon Vine) rasam is one such medicinated rasam often prepared in the households in Tamil Nadu. It is very good for joint pain, back pain, sprain and swelling.

Ingredients

Rasam Powder Ingredients

• Black pepper – One teaspoon
• Corinder seeds – One teaspoon
• Cumin seeds – One tablespoon
• Toor dal – One teaspoon

Baloon vine (Mudakathan) Rasam Powder Ingredients

• Mudakathan (Balloon Vine) (cleaned) – a handful 25 grams
• Salt to taste.
• Tamarind – 25 grams
• Turmeric powder ¼ teaspoon
• Water 2 cups

Seasonings

• Asafotida
• Ghee 1 tsp.
• Mustard seeds 1/2 tsp.
• Curry leaves One sprig
• Coriander leaves One sprig

Method

1. Roast all the Baloon vine (Mudakathan) Rasam Powder ingredients and keep it aside. Once cool grind the ingredients into coarse powder.
2. Soak tamarind in 2-1/2 cups of water till the pulp gets softened. Once soft squeeze tamarind extract to a thick consistency. Filter it in a sieve and keep it aside.
3. Now boil this liquid till the raw smell of the tamarind juice gets vanished
4. Add salt, Mudakathan leaves, Baloon vine (Mudakathan) Rasam Powder ingredients and asfoetida to the tamarind juice and boil for ten minutes.
5. Once it boils with bubbles remove the vessel from the stove.
6. Heat oil or ghee in a pan. Add mustard seeds and allow them to splutter and add some chopped coriander and curry leaves. Close the vessel for two minutes and allow the ghee and curry / coriander leaves get absorbed
7. Now your hot steaming Mudakathan (Baloon vine) Rasam is ready.
8. Serve it hot with steaming plain white rice. You may also serve rasam in cups. It will cure all body pains and joint pain problems. You will feel the relief on the same day.