Pensamientos

Related Terms

Ackerveilchen (German), banewort, banwort, banwurt, bird's eye, blue violet, bonewort, bouncing bet, bullweed, call-me-to-you, cuddle me, cull me, cull me to you, European field pansy, European wild pansy, field pansy, field violet, flower o'luce, godfathers and godmothers, heart-ease herb, Heart's ease, herb constancy, herb trinitatis, herba jaceae, herbe de pensee sauvage (French), Jack jump-up-and-kiss-me, Johnny jump up, Jupiter flower, kiss-her-in-the-buttery, kit-run-about, kit-run-in-the-fields, ladies' delight, live-in-idleness, love idol, love-in-idleness, love lies bleeding, love-lies-bleeding, loving idol, meet-me-in-the-entry, pancies, pansy, pawnce, pens?e (French), pensee sauvage (French), pink-eyed-John, pink-o'-the-eye, pink of my John, stepmother, stepmother herb, Stiefmuetterchenkraut (German), three-faces-in-a-hood, three-faces-under-a-hood, viola, Viola arvensis, Viola lutea, Viola ocellata, Viola tricolor L., Viola tricolor (Linn.), Violatricolor var. arvensis (Murr.) Boiss., Violaceae (family), Violae tricoloris herba, violette tricolore, violine, violutoside, wild pansy.

Background

Heartsease, also referred to as wild pansy, is the forerunner of cultivated pansies. The flowers and leaves are edible.
Heartsease has been used by herbalists for centuries in the treatment of respiratory complaints (such as asthma, bronchitis, and whooping cough) and skin diseases (such as eczema and seborrhea). It has also been used for arthritis, rheumatism, and epilepsy, and for its purported anti-inflammatory, diuretic, mucus-thinning, laxative, soothing, and wound healing properties.
There is limited scientific evidence to confirm the many traditional uses of heartsease. Early research suggests that heartsease may have anticancer and antimicrobial properties.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
An infusion of heartsease made from 1 to 4 grams dried heartsease has been used three times daily. One cup of heartsease tea (made with 1.5 grams of the above-ground parts steeped in 150 milliliters boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes and then strained) has been taken three times daily. Two to four milliliters full-strength heartsease tincture has been taken three times daily.
A tea or poultice prepared with heartsease has been applied to the skin three times daily.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Heartsease may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Heartsease may have additive effects when taken with antibiotic, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory drugs, and drugs that clear mucus from the lungs.
Many tinctures contain high levels of alcohol and may cause nausea or vomiting when taken with metronidazole (Flagyl?) or disulfiram (Antabuse?).

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Franz, G. [Studies on the mucopolysaccharides of Tussilago farfara L., Symphytum officinalis L., Borago officinalis L. and Viola tricolor L]. Planta Med. 1969;17(3):217-220.
Gran L, Sandberg F, Sletten K. Oldenlandia affinis (R&S) DC. A plant containing uteroactive peptides used in African traditional medicine. J Ethnopharmacol. 2000;70(3):197-203.
Gurman EG, Bagirova EA, Storchilo OV. [The effect of food and drug herbal extracts on the hydrolysis and transport of sugars in the rat small intestine under different experimental conditions]. Fiziol Zh SSSR Im I M Sechenova 1992;78(8):109-116.
Rimkiene S, Ragazinskiene O, Savickiene N. The cumulation of Wild pansy (Viola tricolor L.) accessions: the possibility of species preservation and usage in medicine. Medicina (Kaunas.) 2003;39(4):411-416.
Svangard E, Goransson U, Hocaoglu Z, et al. Cytotoxic cyclotides from Viola tricolor. J Nat Prod. 2004;67(2):144-147.
Witkowska-Banaszczak E, Bylka W, Matlawska I, et al. Antimicrobial activity of Viola tricolor herb. Fitoterapia 2005;76(5):458-461.