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Pansy in Herbalism: Properties of Pansy

Scientific name

Viola tricolor

Family

Violaceae

Origin

Europe

Synonyms

Viola tricolor, pansy

Used Parts

Drug consisting of flowers

Chemical constituents

  • saponins;
  • Vitamins (in particular vitamin C);
  • Tannins;
  • Flavonoids (rutin, violantin, vitexin);
  • Essential oil;
  • anthocyanosides;
  • mucilage;
  • Carotenoids;
  • triterpenes;
  • Violina (bitter substance)

Pansy in Herbalism: Properties of Pansy

The whole dried plant is used, infused, as a depurative, expectorant, sweat and mild diuretic (empirical activities not confirmed by certain clinical studies), or the flowers for the diuretic and emollient properties.

Biological activity

Different properties are attributed to pansy, among which we recall those purifying, sudoriferous, diuretic, expectorant and emollient (the latter attributable above all to the mucilages present in the plant itself).

However, many of these properties have not been confirmed by adequate studies; in particular, the purifying activities ascribed to the plant are supported only by empirical data and not by certain clinical studies, but nevertheless it is not unusual that the pansy is part of the composition of food supplements used to purify the organism.

The emollient activity traditionally attributed to the plant, however, has been widely confirmed, so much so that the use of pansy has obtained official approval for the treatment of skin inflammations.

In fact, research conducted on animals has shown that the long-term oral administration of pansy-based preparations leads to an improvement in the symptoms of eczematous-like skin diseases.

From another study carried out on animals it has also emerged that pansy (used in the form of gel for topical use) - in addition to exerting an emollient effect - is also capable of exerting an antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory action in case of skin burns caused by UVB rays.

From other studies conducted in vitro, instead, it emerged that pansy extracts are able to exert an interesting antitumor action, through the induction of apoptosis in malignant cells and through the inhibition of angiogenesis.

Therefore, this plant could prove to be a valid and potential aid in antitumor therapies, even if, before being able to approve a similar medical application of pansy, in-depth clinical studies are necessary, in such a way as to determine its real therapeutic efficacy and safety. use on humans.

Pansy against skin inflammation

Thanks to the emollient and anti-inflammatory action of which the pansy is equipped, its use has been officially approved for the treatment of skin inflammations of various origins and nature.

Generally, for the treatment of the aforementioned skin disorders, pansy can be used both internally and externally.

If used internally, pansy can be taken in the form of a decoction, which must be prepared by adding 1.5 grams of drug to a cup of water.

As for the external use, instead, the pansy (alone or in association with other plants with similar properties) is part of the composition of preparations for cutaneous use that must be applied several times a day directly on the skin area affected by inflammation.

Pansy of mind in folk medicine and homeopathy

In folk medicine, pansy is used internally as a mild laxative remedy to be used in case of constipation.

Externally, however, traditional medicine uses pansy to treat various skin disorders, such as eczema, rash, impetigo, milk crust in children, acne and vulvar itching.

Pansy is also used in homeopathic medicine, where it can be found in the form of granules, drops and mother tincture.

In this context the plant is used in case of inflammation of the urinary tract and eczema.

The dose of homeopathic remedy to be taken can be different between one individual and another, also depending on the type of disorder that needs to be treated and according to the type of preparation and homeopathic dilution that is to be used.

Contraindications

Avoid the use of pansies and its preparations in case of ascertained hypersensitivity towards one or more components.

Pharmacological Interactions

  • not known.

Warnings

Be careful not to mistake it with the violet odor ( Viola odorata ) which, being its root rich in saponins, is used as a cough suppressant (not recommended). After using pansy the urine takes on an unpleasant odor.