Viola odorata, Viola tricolor, and Viola × wittrockiana
Download info sheetViolet and Heartsease are the 2022 International Herb of the Year; there are 3 main species in cultivation; Sweet Violet (Viola odorata), Heartsease (Viola tricolor) and Pansy (Viola × wittrockiana). These beautiful flowers, all members of the Violaceae family, are well known to most; and being related, there is an overlap in their uses.
Identification & Cultivation: Sweet Violets are perennial and the leaves are heart-shaped and slightly downy. The flowers, an unmistakable sweet fragrance of spring, are deep purple, giving them their name. There are other varieties; pale rose-coloured, lilac, and white flowering, as well double flowered forms. The single flowers have five sepals with spurs protruding at their bases, and five unequal petals. The two upper petals curve back. The stems are long and shaped like a shepherd’s crook. Violets are mostly propagated by growing the stolons or ‘runners’, which form roots at the nodes. They like to grow in good rich soil that is slightly acidic and prefer not to dry out over summer and have shade from the heat of the day. Above the carpet or green heart shape leaves out in the shady part of the garden are standing a scattering of deep violet blue flowers, just one flower per stalk – occasionally they will produce a seed pod, which will mature over summer.
Heartsease is a little pansy; pansies are mostly annuals, though sometimes it will continue growing if it does not get too hot or dry. They grow in a sprawling habit and have soft angulated stems, which are a lighter green than the bluntly toothed oval leaves. Heartsease flowers sit on single stalks and the petals are violet blue, yellow and cream, hence the name tricolor. The flowering period is generally spring-mid-summer. The seedpod that follows splits open to scatter seed freely and self-sow for the next year. Heartsease grows best in a sunny spot, not too dry and likes good soil. These conditions ensure good flowering but it can grow almost everywhere. Propagation is possible from taking stem cuttings; take care, as the stems are brittle. Other pansies grow similarly and have a great diversity in flower colour and size.
Character: Heartsease; described as slightly bitter, moist, cold, and pungent; this indicates it as ideal for treating inflammatory conditions. Violets; described as moist, pungent, cold, and slightly bitter also.
Constituents: Heartsease; Flavonoids (antioxidants), including violanthin, violaquercitrin and rutin (which strengthens capillaries), methyl salicylate (aspirin like properties), alkaloids, volatile oils, mucilage gums (which soothe), resin, saponins, vitamins A and C.
Violets: The roots contain an alkaloid, violine, which is similar to emetine, from Ipecacuana (a laxative), that is one of its uses. The flowers are also mildly laxative and in the form of a tea or a syrup very useful for constipation, especially for children. Violet leaves main constituents are saponins, salicylates, alkaloids, flavonoids and volatile oils, also ascorbic acid – vitamin A and C. The medicinal uses of violet are mentioned in all of the early herbalists’ writings; the Australian native violet, Viola hederacea, is currently being researched and appears to have similar healing properties to V. odorata, also, the Chinese herbalists use Viola yedoensis, which has very similar properties.
Therapeutic Actions: Heartsease; Expectorant, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, diuretic, laxative, and assist to stabilise capillary membranes. Violets: are anti-inflammatory, stimulating expectorant, diuretic, alterative (improves the bodies function to a better state of health), nutritive, anodyne (pain relief), emollient (soothing and healing) and anti-neoplastic (anti-tumour and cancer). Violets are widely used for treating coughs, bronchitis, and catarrh.
Up to the 1930’s violets were used as a treatment for breast and lung cancers by doctors and today are still used as part of natural therapies of cancer treatment, especially after surgery to help prevent secondary tumours. The claims of violet part in cancer cure have yet to be “proved” scientifically – but just give them time and they will agree! The leaves can be used as a poultice on skin cancers in conjunction with taking them internally. The leaves of violets are very high in flavonoids and vitamins, which act as anti-oxidants, which fight free radicals in the body, which are considered to potentially be triggers of cancer…
Medicinal Uses: Heartsease; Cardiovascular system: Capillary fragility, excellent for people who bruise easily, and was traditionally used to make a cordial for 
the heart. Urinary system: Cystitis, polyuria and dysuria. Respiratory system: Bronchitis, pertussis, (whopping cough) you can make a soothing cough syrup with heartsease. Musculoskeletal system: Rheumatism, it is a gentle stimulator and cleanser of your metabolism. Skin: Eczema, Cradle Cap, skin eruptions and irritations and tuberculosis skin conditions. Again the cleansing action helps here.
Preparations and Use: Heartsease; Aerial parts such as leaves, stems and flowers. Harvest at any time of the growing season – optimum time is in late spring. Heartsease can be used internally or topically. Skin conditions; make an infusion: 1 tsp of dried herb to 1 cup of water. Drink 1/2 cup up to 3 times daily. When cool use as a wash or compress. Tincture: 1–2 mls 3 times daily for adults Safe for babies and children at a reduced dosage.
Caution: *Avoid the seeds as they can be purgative of taken internally. * Avoid very high doses taken internally, as the saponins can lead to gastric irritation or nausea.
Pansy Cream (I got this recipe from the wonderful and inspiring Horace Carrington)
This is useful for minor skin irritations including cradle cap and nappy rash and eczema.
Chop heartsease flowers and leaves and place in a glass jar. Cover with olive oil and cover with plastic lid.
Leave in warm place for two weeks (out of direct sunlight), shaking regularly. Strain oil off.
Into a saucepan add 1 tsp beeswax to 1 cup of infused Heartsease oil. Heat gently until wax melts. (This can be done in a double boiler).
Remove from the heat and 1⁄2 tsp each of almond and wheat germ oil. Add a few drops of lavender oil to perfume it (it also has anti-inflammatory action).
Pour into small glass jars, ensure lids are tightly closed and label, include the date made.
“It is good as the later physicians write for such as are sick of ague, especially children and infants, whose convulsions and fits of the falling sickness it is thought to cure. It is commended against inflammation of the lungs and chest, and against scabs and itchings of the whole body and healeth ulcers.”
1597 – John Gerard (1545-1612)
Violets; Make an infusion, put 15g of flowers in 600mls of cold water and soak, covered, then bring to the boil and leave for 10 minutes. Drink 1⁄4 cup per day for coughs colds, respiratory or digestive problems.
To make syrup; put 125–150 grams fresh flowers into 600mls boiling water, cover and leave to macerate for 12 hours. Strain and add to the fluid 1 kg of sugar, boil for 1 hour or until it has a syrupy consistency. Store in a tightly stoppered glass jar. Dosage; take 3-4 tsp per day, as an expectorant, laxative or sedative. Modern research is proving these old herbalists correct in their treatment claims e.g. traditionally used for headaches, migraine, and insomnia; the presence of salicylates (also present in White Willow from which Aspirin is derived). Traditionally violets were used for bruises either a strong infusion of violet leaves, or used as a poultice; this is still as relevant today.
Culinary: Heartsease; Even a few heartsease flowers scattered on a salad or in a sandwich can be of benefit. In a salad they look beautiful as well as being therapeutic! Violets; for culinary uses are many and are still widely used in Europe; syrup of violets with lemon syrup and acetic acid is refreshing summer drink and violet syrup is an ingredient of oriental sherbet. Honey of violets is made by infusing violets is made by infusing violet flowers in warm honey (just warm and not hot!) until their fragrance is imparted. The hot water cupboard is good for this. A sweet called violet plate is made by infusing violet flowers in lemon juice, adding sugar then boiling to candy it. In addition, we know that crystallised violets are used as sweets and to decorate cakes and desserts: Dip or brush the fresh flowers into/with lightly beaten egg white & dust with castor sugar making sure all of the flower is coated. Lay on baking paper to dry. Store in an airtight container when completely dried.
As a drink; 2 tsp fresh or 1 tsp dried flowers can be infused for 5 minutes or you add some chamomile flowers if you want a more relaxing brew.
Add Violet flowers to salads (fruit or vegetable) or in sandwiches, as can the leaves (in moderation). If used in large quantities of the leaves, they can cause nausea or vomiting; stick to a couple a day. My old friend Horace Carrington, suggested, “if everyone eat 2 violet leaves a day, the incidence of cancer would be way down”.
History & Mystery
Heartsease; Ruling planet; Saturn. Powers; Love, rain magic and love divination. Is associated with St Valentine and thus is associated with love. Folklore suggests that if you put Heartsease flowers on the eyes if someone when they are asleep, they will fall in love with the first person they see when they wake up – Remember what happened to Titania in Shakespeare’s Midsummer’s Night’s Dream? It is said that worn or carried, pansy attracts love to you. When pansies are planted in the shape of a heart they will grow and prosper, so will your love!
“Heart’s ease of pansy, pleasure or thought, which would the picture give us of these? Surely the heart that conceived it sought Heart’s ease.” - Algernon Charles Swinburne
Violets; Gender; feminine, ruled by the planet Venus, ruled by the goddess Venus too! Element; water and considered to have the powers of, love, luck, lust, protection, wishes, peace & healing.
In the past the flowers were carried to protect against ‘wyyked sperytis’
The Athenians in Greece used violets to “moderate” anger and to procure sleep and to comfort and strengthen the heart. They also used violets as a sweetener and they became the symbol of Athens. Pliny prescribed a liniment of violet root and vinegar for gout and disorders of the spleen and states that “a garland of violets worn on the head will dispel the fumes of wine and prevent headaches and dizziness”.
Violets were a prized herb of the Celts and because of their fragrance were used as a “strewing herb” on their floors and in washing waters and toilet vinegars. (Violets impart their fragrance into liquids; vinegar also takes on the colour of the flowers). Cosmetically, violets are used today as a fragrance, though it is increasingly becoming synthesised chemically; it takes over 100kg of flowers to extract 60gm of essence.
“It is a fine and pleasing plant ruled by Venus, of a mild nature and in no way harmful. - Nicholas Culpepper (1616-1654), English Herbalist.
References: Carole Fisher & Gilian Painter, 1996, Materia Medica of Western Herbs For The Southern Hemisphere, Self Published; M. Grieve, 1923 republished 1992, A Modern Herbal, Tiger Books; Images: Karina Hilterman
Prepared for the Herb Federation of New Zealand’s Herb Awareness Month 2022 www.herbs.org.nz Advisory Note: This text is given as a general guidance. If any adverse reactions occur or symptoms persist, please contact a qualified medical herbalist or medical doctor immediately.