Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
Thyme vs Heartsease
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Thyme and Heartsease: they share 6 indicated uses (bronchitis, cancer (anticancer research), cold & flu, …); 2 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Thyme | Heartsease | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronchitis | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Thyme |
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Cold & flu | 5/10 | 2/10 | Stronger for Thyme |
| Cough | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Thyme |
| Respiratory support | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Thyme |
| Sore throat | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
Phenolic monoterpenes responsible for the antimicrobial and expectorant actions.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory constituents.
Bioactive cyclic peptides shown to suppress over-active immune (T-cell) responses - the rationale for use in inflammatory skin disease; the cytotoxic cyclotides vitri A, varv A and varv E have been isolated from V. tricolor. Cyclotide-enriched preparations (including hot-water decoctions) reduce T-cell proliferation and macrophage cytokine output in vitro, of interest for inflammatory bowel disease.
Pharmacological Actions
Anti-inflammatory / immunomodulatory for chronic skin conditions - eczema, psoriasis, itching and scabs (traditional, supported by cyclotide research) - cyclotide-enriched V. tricolor preparations suppress T-cell proliferation and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in vitro; Soothes irritated skin (demulcent and anti-inflammatory)
Cytotoxic / antiproliferative against cancer cell lines in vitro (cyclotides vitri A, varv A and varv E)
Soothes irritated skin (demulcent and anti-inflammatory); Traditional demulcent / expectorant for cough, bronchitis and chest inflammation
Traditional demulcent / expectorant for cough, bronchitis and chest inflammation
Anti-inflammatory / immunomodulatory for chronic skin conditions - eczema, psoriasis, itching and scabs (traditional, supported by cyclotide research) - cyclotide-enriched V. tricolor preparations suppress T-cell proliferation and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in vitro
Traditional & Indicated Uses
Expectorant for productive (chesty) cough associated with cold and bronchitis - a fixed thyme-ivy extract combination outperformed placebo in acute bronchitis (faster, greater reduction in coughing fits)
inferred from anticancer action
Expectorant for productive (chesty) cough associated with cold and bronchitis - a fixed thyme-ivy extract combination outperformed placebo in acute bronchitis (faster, greater reduction in coughing fits)
Expectorant for productive (chesty) cough associated with cold and bronchitis - a fixed thyme-ivy extract combination outperformed placebo in acute bronchitis (faster, greater reduction in coughing fits)
Antimicrobial (thymol and carvacrol) - supports respiratory infection
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from expectorant action
Sore throat relief (antiseptic gargle)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Traditional demulcent / expectorant for cough, bronchitis and chest inflammation
inferred from anticancer action
Traditional demulcent / expectorant for cough, bronchitis and chest inflammation
Anti-inflammatory / immunomodulatory for chronic skin conditions - eczema, psoriasis, itching and scabs (traditional, supported by cyclotide research) - cyclotide-enriched V. tricolor preparations suppress T-cell proliferation and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in vitro
inferred from immunomodulator action
Traditional demulcent / expectorant for cough, bronchitis and chest inflammation
Anti-inflammatory / immunomodulatory for chronic skin conditions - eczema, psoriasis, itching and scabs (traditional, supported by cyclotide research) - cyclotide-enriched V. tricolor preparations suppress T-cell proliferation and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in vitro
inferred from expectorant action
Soothes irritated skin (demulcent and anti-inflammatory)
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Culinary amounts are safe. Thyme essential oil is a strong irritant - dilute well before any topical use and do not take the undiluted oil internally.
A cough that persists beyond about a week, or with fever or breathlessness, needs medical assessment. Avoid medicinal/oil doses in pregnancy; allergy is possible in people sensitive to the mint family (Lamiaceae).
Regarded as safe in customary traditional use; because the extract suppresses immune-cell activity, there is a theoretical caution when taking immunosuppressant medicines.
Contains salicylates, so use caution if you are salicylate-sensitive; safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established.
External Ids
Botanical Description
Low, woody-based aromatic perennial subshrub with small, narrow, grey-green leaves and small, pale pink to lilac, two-lipped flowers borne in whorled clusters along the upper stems.[11]
Small, low-growing annual or short-lived perennial herb with oval to lance-shaped, scalloped leaves and large, leaf-like stipules. The distinctive flowers are tricoloured - purple, yellow and white in varying combinations - with five petals, the lower petal often marked with dark veining (a 'face' pattern), giving rise to the name 'heartsease'.[9]
Habitat
Grows on dry, sunny, rocky, well-drained soils; native to the western Mediterranean and widely cultivated as a culinary and medicinal herb worldwide.[11]
Grows in grassland, cultivated ground, gardens and waste places on a wide range of soils; native to Europe and widely naturalised elsewhere as a common garden and wild plant.[9]
Harvesting
The flowering aerial parts are cut just as flowering begins, when essential oil content is highest, and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place; essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of the fresh or dried herb.[11]
The flowering aerial parts are cut in summer while in flower and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place.[9]
Traditional Uses
Thyme has a long Mediterranean and European tradition as an antimicrobial and expectorant remedy for coughs, bronchitis and sore throat, formalised in EU herbal monograph recognition, with a fixed thyme-ivy extract combination shown superior to placebo for acute bronchitis with productive cough in clinical trial.[11, 13]
Heartsease has a long European folk history as a soothing remedy for skin conditions such as eczema and itching, and as a traditional demulcent and expectorant for coughs and chest complaints; this traditional skin-supportive use is now linked to immunomodulatory cyclic peptides (cyclotides) unique to the Viola genus.[9]
Preparations
Dried herb infused in hot water as a traditional cough, cold and digestive tea.
Infusion used as a gargle for sore throat, drawing on the antiseptic essential oil constituents.
Standardized fluid extract, often combined with ivy leaf, the form studied in clinical trials for acute bronchitis.
Dried flowering herb infused in hot water, taken internally for cough or used as a cooled compress for skin irritation.
Dosage
The EU herbal monograph suggests around 1-2 g of dried herb per cup, up to three times daily. Educational reference only, not a prescription; do not take the essential oil undiluted internally.
The EU herbal monograph gives, for oral use in adults and elderly, 3 g of the comminuted herb as an infusion 1-3 times daily. For cutaneous use, 5-20 g/L as an infusion applied as a wet dressing 2-3 times daily, or 5-10 g/L as a bath additive (1 litre of infusion per bath). Contraindicated in hypersensitivity to salicylates, and cutaneously on open wounds or large areas of damaged skin. Oral use not recommended under 18 years. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Lookalikes Review
References & Sources
- Sakkas, H. and Papadopoulou, C (2017) 'Antimicrobial Activity of Basil, Oregano, and Thyme Essential Oils', Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 27(3), pp. 429-438. doi:10.4014/jmb.1608.08024 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.4014/jmb.1608.08024 - Salehi, B., Mishra, A.P., Shukla, I., Sharifi-Rad, M. and others (2018) 'Thymol, thyme, and other plant sources: Health and potential uses', Phytotherapy Research, 32(9), pp. 1688-1706. doi:10.1002/ptr.6109 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6109 - Kowalczyk, A., Przychodna, M., Sopata, S., Bodalska, A. and others (2020) 'Thymol and Thyme Essential Oil-New Insights into Selected Therapeutic Applications', Molecules, 25(18), pp. 4125. doi:10.3390/molecules25184125 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25184125 - Wirtu, S.F., Ramaswamy, K., Maitra, R., Chopra, S. and others (2024) 'Isolation, characterization and antimicrobial activity study of Thymus vulgaris', Scientific Reports, 14(1), pp. 21573. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-71012-2 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-71012-2 - Diniz, A.F., Santos, B., Nobrega, L.M.M.O., Santos, V.R.L. and others (2023) 'Antibacterial activity of Thymus vulgaris (thyme) essential oil against strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus saprophyticus isolated from meat product', Brazilian Journal of Biology, 83, pp. e275306. doi:10.1590/1519-6984.275306 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.275306 - Tardugno, R., Serio, A., Purgatorio, C., Savini, V. and others (2022) 'Thymus vulgaris L. essential oils from Emilia Romagna Apennines (Italy): phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activity on food-borne pathogens', Natural Product Research, 36(3), pp. 837-842. doi:10.1080/14786419.2020.1798666 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2020.1798666 - Doghish, A.S., Shehabeldine, A.M., El-Mahdy, H.A., Hassanin, M.M.H. and others (2023) 'Thymus vulgaris Oil Nanoemulsion: Synthesis, Characterization, Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activities', Molecules, 28(19), pp. 6910. doi:10.3390/molecules28196910 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28196910 - Oliva, M.L., Carezzano, M.E., Giuliano, M., Daghero, J. and others (2015) 'Antimicrobial activity of essential oils of Thymus vulgaris and Origanum vulgare on phytopathogenic strains isolated from soybean', Plant Biology, 17(3), pp. 758-765. doi:10.1111/plb.12282 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/plb.12282 - Vetvicka, V. and Vetvickova, J (2016) 'Essential Oils from Thyme (Thymus vulgaris): Chemical Composition and Biological Effects in Mouse Model', Journal of Medicinal Food, 19(12), pp. 1180-1187. doi:10.1089/jmf.2016.0029 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2016.0029 - Sikic Pogacar, M., Klancnik, A., Bucar, F., Langerholc, T. and others (2016) 'Anti-adhesion activity of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) extract, thyme post-distillation waste, and olive leaf extract against Campylobacter jejuni on polystyrene and intestine epithelial cells', Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 96(8), pp. 2723-2730. doi:10.1002/jsfa.7391 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.7391 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (n.d.) 'European Union herbal monograph on Thymus vulgaris L. and Thymus zygis L., herba (Thymi herba)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/thymi-herba Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/thymi-herba - Sharifi-Rad, M., Varoni, E.M., Iriti, M., Martorell, M., Setzer, W.N., del Mar Contreras, M., Salehi, B., Soltani-Nejad, A., Rajabi, S., Tajbakhsh, M. and Sharifi-Rad, J (2018) 'Carvacrol and human health: A comprehensive review', Phytotherapy Research. doi:10.1002/ptr.6103 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6103 - Kemmerich, B., Eberhardt, R. and Stammer, H (2006) 'Efficacy and tolerability of a fluid extract combination of thyme herb and ivy leaves and matched placebo in adults suffering from acute bronchitis with productive cough', Arzneimittel-Forschung, 56(9), pp. 652--660. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1296767 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0031-1296767
- Retzl, B., Zimmermann-Klemd, A.M., Winker, M., Nicolay, S., Grundemann, C. and Gruber, C.W (2023) 'Exploring Immune Modulatory Effects of Cyclotide-Enriched Viola tricolor Preparations', Planta Medica, 89(15), pp. 1493--1504. doi:10.1055/a-2173-8627 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2173-8627 - Harati, E., Bahrami, M., Razavi, A., Kamalinejad, M. and others (2018) 'Effects of Viola tricolor Flower Hydroethanolic Extract on Lung Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Chronic Asthma', Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, 17(5), pp. 409-417. doi:10.18502/ijaai.v17i5.299 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.18502/ijaai.v17i5.299 - Sadeghnia, H.R., Ghorbani Hesari, T., Mortazavian, S.M., Mousavi, S.H. and others (2014) 'Viola tricolor induces apoptosis in cancer cells and exhibits antiangiogenic activity on chicken chorioallantoic membrane', BioMed Research International, 2014, pp. 625792. doi:10.1155/2014/625792 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/625792 - Mousavi, S.H., Naghizade, B., Pourgonabadi, S. and Ghorbani, A (2016) 'Protective effect of Viola tricolor and Viola odorata extracts on serum/glucose deprivation-induced neurotoxicity: role of reactive oxygen species', Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, 6(4), pp. 434-441. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Protective%20effect%20of%20Viola%20tricolor%20and%20Viola%20odorata%20extracts%20on%20serum/glucose%20deprivation-induced%20neurotoxicity%3A%20role%20of%20reactive%20oxygen%20species - Witkowska-Banaszczak, E., Bylka, W., Matlawska, I., Goslinska, O. and Muszynski, Z (2005) 'Antimicrobial activity of Viola tricolor herb', Fitoterapia, 76(5), pp. 458-461. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2005.03.005 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2005.03.005 - Baradaran Rahimi, V., Askari, V.R., Hosseini, M., Yousefsani, B.S. and Sadeghnia, H.R (2019) 'Anticonvulsant Activity of Viola tricolor against Seizures Induced by Pentylenetetrazol and Maximal Electroshock in Mice', Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences, 44(3), pp. 220-226. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Anticonvulsant%20Activity%20of%20Viola%20tricolor%20against%20Seizures%20Induced%20by%20Pentylenetetrazol%20and%20Maximal%20Electroshock%20in%20Mice - Piana, M., Silva, M.A., Trevisan, G., de Brum, T.F. and others (2013) 'Antiinflammatory effects of Viola tricolor gel in a model of sunburn in rats and the gel stability study', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 150(2), pp. 458-465. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.08.040 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.08.040 - Han, B.Y., Wang, Z.L., Li, J., Jin, Q. and others (2023) 'A highly selective C-rhamnosyltransferase from Viola tricolor and insights into its mechanisms', Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B, 13(8), pp. 3535-3544. doi:10.1016/j.apsb.2023.05.011 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsb.2023.05.011 - Hellinger, R., Koehbach, J., Fedchuk, H., Sauer, B., Huber, R., Gruber, C.W. and Grundemann, C (2013) 'Immunosuppressive activity of an aqueous Viola tricolor herbal extract', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, pp. 2013. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.10.044 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.10.044 - Kirichenko, T.V., Sobenin, I.A., Nikolic, D., Rizzo, M. and Orekhov, A.N (2015) 'Anti-cytokine therapy for prevention of atherosclerosis', Phytomedicine, 23(11), pp. 1198-1210. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2015.12.002 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2015.12.002 - Conzelmann, C., Muratspahic, E., Tomasevic, N., Munch, J. and Gruber, C.W (2022) 'Inhibition of HIV-1 by Cyclotide-Enriched Extracts of Viola tricolor', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, pp. 888961. doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.888961 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.888961 - Maraschio, A., Wulhfard, K. and Monsellato, L (2023) 'Case study of clinical improvement of atopic dermatitis in a patient treated with herbal-based parapharmaceuticals', Journal of Complementary & Integrative Medicine, 20(2), pp. 504-511. doi:10.1515/jcim-2023-0005 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2023-0005 - Svangard, E. and Goransson, U. and Hocaoglu, Z. and Gullbo, J. and Larsson, R. and Claeson, P. and Bohlin, L (2004) 'Cytotoxic cyclotides from Viola tricolor', Journal of Natural Products, 67(2), pp. 144--147. doi:10.1021/np030101l Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/np030101l - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2010) 'Community herbal monograph on Viola tricolor L. and/or subspecies Viola arvensis Murray (Gaud) and Viola vulgaris Koch (Oborny), herba cum flore'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-viola-tricolor-l_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-viola-tricolor-l_en.pdf
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.