Wild pansy: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
field pansy, tricolor pansy, Herb of the Trinity
Scientific name(s)
Viola tricolor
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Flavonoids
methyl salicylate
Mucilages
Saponins
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Eczema ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research shows that application of an ointment containing 5% of each extract of wild pansy, gotu kola and Oregon grape twice a day for 4 weeks does not improve eczema compared with a base cream. However, patients with eczema on skin exposed to cold may experience some improvement.
Posologie
Topical: aerial parts
600 mg
alcoholic extract, ointment, tisane/tea/infusion, cream, dry extract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research in men aged 40 to 70 with a history of smoking and stage 2 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) shows that taking a combination of 165 mg wild pansy, 165 mg calendula flowers and 165 mg elderberry, at a dose of 3 capsules per day for 6 months, moderately improves dyspnea, cough and sputum production compared with placebo. However, the number of COPD exacerbations per month does not appear to be changed.
Posologie
Oral: aerial parts
165 mg
6 months
alcoholic extract, dry extract
Synergies
Acne ✪✪✪✪✪
Wild pansy is traditionally used in skin disorders such as eczema, seborrhea, impetigo and acne, as well as infant diaper rash.nnThe EMA indicates that wild pansy is a traditional herbal medicinal product for the symptomatic treatment of mild seborrheic skin disorders.nnnn
Posologie
Oral, topical: aerial parts
600 mg
alcoholic extract, ointment, herbal tea/tea/infusion, cream, dry extract
Seborrheic dermatitis ✪✪✪✪✪
Wild pansy is traditionally used in skin disorders such as eczema, seborrhea, impetigo and acne, as well as infant diaper rash.nnThe EMA indicates that wild pansy is a traditional herbal medicinal product for the symptomatic treatment of mild seborrheic skin disorders.nnnn
Posologie
Oral, topical: aerial parts
600 mg
alcoholic extract, ointment, herbal tea/tea/infusion, cream, dry extract
Dermatoses ✪✪✪✪✪
Wild pansy is traditionally used for skin disorders such as eczema, seborrhea, impetigo and acne, as well as infant diaper rash. The EMA indicates that wild pansy is a traditional herbal medicinal product for the symptomatic treatment of mild seborrheic skin conditions.
Posologie
Oral, topical: aerial parts
600 mg
alcoholic extract, ointment, tisane/tea/infusion, cream, dry extract
Properties
Antioxidant
Because of its content of flavonoids and other phenolic compounds, wild pansy may be a source of natural antioxidant. In vitro, a hydroalcoholic extract of fresh wild pansy leaves or flowers has been shown to possess antioxidant activity. Polar components have greater activity; among these are flavonoids such as rutin and violanthine.
Anti-inflammatory
Wild pansy is traditionally used for inflammatory pulmonary and skin conditions. In vitro, wild pansy extract inhibited the secretion of various inflammatory cytokines, resulting in inhibition of the proliferation of activated lymphocytes. The bioactive constituents appeared to be cyclotides.
Usages associés
Dermatological effect
In a rat model of eczema, an improvement in skin disorders was observed after adding fresh wild pansies to the diet for 2 months, compared with a control group.
Usages associés
Antimicrobial
Some trials have evaluated the antimicrobial properties of different preparations of Viola tricolor. The most effective preparations are aqueous and alcoholic extracts. They have a significant effect on Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and on the yeast Candida albicans. The least effective preparations are those with high molecular selectivity, which suggests a synergistic action of the different components present in the other extracts. Cyclic peptides or cyclotides are notably responsible for this effect.
Usages associés
Diuretic
A study showed that administration of a mother tincture of wild pansy to rats has a moderate diuretic effect. Indeed, diuresis was increased by about 10% compared with the control group, Na+ excretion by 18% and K+ excretion by 36%.
Safe dosage
Adult: 1.5 g - 4 g (tisane/tea/infusion, dry extract)
- Internal use Adults: 1.5-4 g of the medicinal product as an infusion three times a day; fluid extract ([1:1], ethanol 25%) 2-4 ml three times a day; dry extract (6:1), 2-4 g per day. - External use 3-4 g of the medicinal product in 150 ml of hot water as a compress or poultice, several times a day. - The preparation contains not less than 1.5% flavonoids, expressed as violanthin calculated relative to the dried plant.
Interactions
Médicaments
Antiplatelet agents/Anticoagulant: low interaction
Because of the presence of coumarins and salicylates, wild pansy should be used with caution in patients on anticoagulants, as it may have additive effects.
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
In the absence of sufficient data, use during pregnancy is not recommended.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
In the absence of sufficient data, use during breastfeeding is not recommended.
Contraindications
G6PD deficiency: contraindicated
There is a case report of hemolysis in an infant with G6PD deficiency who consumed boiled wild pansy extract. The methyl ester of salicylic acid, a constituent of wild pansy, is thought to have been responsible for this effect.
Allergies: contraindicated
Wild pansy is contraindicated in cases of a true allergy to salicylate derivatives.
