Key Constituents

Mucilage and saponins^[11]

Mucilage gives the soothing demulcent action; saponins give the expectorant action.

MucilageSaponins

Flavonoids and salicylic acid^{[2, 11]}

Antioxidant and mild analgesic constituents.

Flavonoids

Alkaloids (e.g. violine) and essential oil^[11]

Minor aromatic and bioactive constituents.

Essential (volatile) oilAlkaloids

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[1, 4, 11]}

Demulcent (soothing mucilage)^{[1, 11, 12]}

Demulcent / expectorant for cough, bronchitis and catarrh (mucilage soothes; saponins loosen mucus) - a double-blind RCT found violet-flower syrup, added to standard treatment, sped cough suppression in children with asthma

Expectorant^{[1, 6, 11, 12]}

Sedative / sleep support^{[1, 7, 8, 9, 11]}

Mild sedative for sleeplessness and to ease headache (traditional)

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^[11]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Asthma^{[11, 12]}Moderate · 5/10

more plants for asthma →detailed sources →

Bronchitis^{[11, 12]}Moderate · 5/10

more plants for bronchitis →detailed sources →

Cough^{[11, 12]}Moderate · 5/10

more plants for cough →detailed sources →

Headache^[11]Traditional · 1/10

Mild sedative for sleeplessness and to ease headache (traditional)

more plants for headache →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)^[11]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Insomnia / sleeplessness^{[8, 9, 11]}Moderate · 6/10

Mild sedative for sleeplessness and to ease headache (traditional)

more plants for insomnia / sleeplessness →detailed sources →

Respiratory support^{[6, 11, 12]}Moderate · 6/10

inferred from expectorant action

more plants for respiratory support →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^{[5, 11, 12]}Moderate · 5/10

inferred from demulcent action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Sore throat^[11]Traditional · 1/10

more plants for sore throat →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[11, 13]}Caution

Generally well tolerated as flower/leaf preparations. It contains salicylates, so use caution if you are salicylate-sensitive; the root in large doses is emetic and purgative.

Safety note^[13]Caution

Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established, so avoid medicinal doses.

References

REF-1143, REF-1144, REF-1145, REF-1146, REF-1147, REF-1148, REF-1149, REF-1150, REF-1151, REF-1152

References & Sources

Feyzabadi, Z., Ghorbani, F., Vazani, Y. and Zarshenas, M.M (2017) 'A Critical Review on Phytochemistry, Pharmacology of Viola odorata L. and Related Multipotential Products in Traditional Persian Medicine', Phytotherapy Research, 31(11), pp. 1669-1675. doi:10.1002/ptr.5909 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5909
Heger, T., Zatloukal, M., Kubala, M., Strnad, M. and others (2022) 'Procyanidin C1 from Viola odorata L. inhibits Na,K-ATPase', Scientific Reports, 12(1), pp. 7011. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-11086-y Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-11086-y
Yousefnia, S., Naseri, D., Seyed Forootan, F., Tabatabaeian, M. and others (2020) 'Suppressive role of Viola odorata extract on malignant characters of mammosphere-derived breast cancer stem cells', Clinical & Translational Oncology, 22(9), pp. 1619-1634. doi:10.1007/s12094-020-02307-9 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-020-02307-9
Tafazoli, V., Shahriari, M., Heydari, M., Nikbakht, H.A. and others (2020) 'The Effect of Viola odorata L. Oil for Fever in Children: A Randomized Triple-blinded Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial', Current Drug Discovery Technologies, 17(5), pp. 696-703. doi:10.2174/1570163816666190620142256 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.2174/1570163816666190620142256
Rahimi, V.B., Askari, V.R., Emami, S.A. and Tayarani-Najaran, Z (2017) 'Anti-melanogenic activity of Viola odorata different extracts on B16F10 murine melanoma cells', Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 20(3), pp. 242-249. doi:10.22038/ijbms.2017.8350 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.22038/ijbms.2017.8350
Adel Mehraban, M.S., Shirzad, M., Mohammad Taghizadeh Kashani, L., Ahmadian-Attari, M.M. and others (2022) 'Efficacy and safety of add-on Viola odorata L. in the treatment of COVID-19: A randomized double-blind controlled trial', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 304, pp. 116058. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2022.116058 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2022.116058
Saleem, U., Hira, S., Anwar, F., Shah, M.A. and others (2021) 'Pharmacological Screening of Viola odorata L. for Memory-Enhancing Effect via Modulation of Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Biomarkers', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, pp. 664832. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.664832 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.664832
Shayesteh, M., Vaez-Mahdavi, M.R., Shams, J., Kamalinejad, M. and others (2020) 'Effects of Viola odorata as an Add-On Therapy on Insomnia in Patients with Obsession or Depression: A Pilot Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial', Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 26(5), pp. 398-408. doi:10.1089/acm.2019.0254 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2019.0254
Feyzabadi, Z., Jafari, F., Kamali, S.H., Ashayeri, H. and others (2014) 'Efficacy of Viola odorata in Treatment of Chronic Insomnia', Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, 16(12), pp. e17511. doi:10.5812/ircmj.17511 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.5812/ircmj.17511
Parsley, N.C., Kirkpatrick, C.L., Crittenden, C.M., Rad, J.G. and others (2018) 'PepSAVI-MS reveals anticancer and antifungal cycloviolacins in Viola odorata', Phytochemistry, 152, pp. 61-70. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2018.04.014 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2018.04.014
Herbal Reality (n.d.) 'Violets (Viola odorata): Benefits, Safety, Uses'. Available at: https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/violets/ Traditional / reference
https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/violets/
Qasemzadeh, M.J., Sharifi, H., Hamedanian, M., Gharehbeglou, M., Heydari, M., Sardari, M., Akhlaghdoust, M. and Minae, M.B (2015) 'The Effect of Viola odorata Flower Syrup on the Cough of Children With Asthma: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial', Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 20(4), pp. 287--291. doi:10.1177/2156587215584862 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1177/2156587215584862
RxList (n.d.) 'Sweet Violet: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, Dose & Precautions'. Available at: https://www.rxlist.com/supplements/sweet_violet.htm Traditional / reference
https://www.rxlist.com/supplements/sweet_violet.htm

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