Plant Profile

Sweet Violet

Compiled by the Omnia Sana editorial team from the plant database ·Last updated August 15, 2026

Viola odorata

Family: Violaceae · Parts used: Flower and leaf (aerial parts) · Also known as: Garden violet, English violet, Banafsha

The complete database record: 3 documented constituents, 5 pharmacological actions, 11 traditional / indicated uses, with 17 cited sources.

Botanical Description

Low, spreading perennial herb with heart-shaped, softly toothed leaves arising from a short rootstock, spreading by runners (stolons). Fragrant, deep violet-purple (occasionally white) flowers with five petals, the lower petal spurred, are borne singly on slender stalks.^[11]

Height: 5-15 cm

Habit: Low, spreading perennial herb, spreading by runners

Leaves: Heart-shaped, softly toothed

Flowers: Fragrant, deep violet-purple (occasionally white), five-petalled, the lower petal spurred, borne singly

Stem: Very short; leaves and flowers arise from a basal rootstock, spreading by stolons

Root: Short rootstock with spreading runners

Fruit: Small three-valved capsule

Flowering Period: February-April (with a lighter second flush in autumn)

Habitat & Distribution

Grows in woodland edges, hedgerows, shaded banks and gardens on moist, humus-rich soils; native to Europe, North Africa and Asia and widely naturalised and cultivated elsewhere.^[11]

Harvesting

Flowers are picked as they open in early spring; leaves can be gathered through the growing season and dried.^[11]

Parts: Flower and leaf (aerial parts)

Season: Flower in early spring; leaf through the growing season

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]}

Anticancer (preclinical)^{[3, 10]}

Demulcent (soothing mucilage)^{[1, 11, 13]}

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, 13]}

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

Mild sedative for sleeplessness and to ease headache (traditional)

Traditional & Indicated Uses

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

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-1146

Evidence: 1

Label: Arthritis / joint pain

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Asthma^{[11, 13]}Moderate · 5/10

Evidence: 5

Label: Asthma

more plants for asthma →detailed sources →

Bronchitis^{[11, 13]}Moderate · 5/10

Evidence: 5

Label: Bronchitis

more plants for bronchitis →detailed sources →

Cancer (anticancer research)^{[3, 10]}Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from anticancer action

Evidence: 2

Label: Cancer (anticancer research)

more plants for cancer (anticancer research) →detailed sources →

Cough^{[11, 13]}Moderate · 5/10

Evidence: 5

Label: Cough

more plants for cough →detailed sources →

Headache^[11]Preliminary · 1/10

Mild sedative for sleeplessness and to ease headache (traditional)

Evidence: 1

Label: Headache

more plants for headache →detailed sources →

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

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-1146

Evidence: 1

Label: Inflammation (general)

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

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

Mild sedative for sleeplessness and to ease headache (traditional)

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-1149

Evidence: 6

Label: Insomnia / sleeplessness

more plants for insomnia / sleeplessness →detailed sources →

Respiratory support^{[6, 11, 13]}Moderate · 6/10

inferred from expectorant action

Evidence: 6

Label: Respiratory support

more plants for respiratory support →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^[11]Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from demulcent action

Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0609, REF-1146

Evidence: 1

Label: Skin irritation

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Sore throat^[11]Preliminary · 1/10

Evidence: 1

Label: Sore throat

more plants for sore throat →detailed sources →

Traditional Use & History

Sweet violet flower and leaf have a long European folk history as a soothing demulcent and expectorant remedy for cough, bronchitis and catarrh, and as a mild sedative for sleeplessness and headache; the flower syrup in particular has a long tradition as a children's cough remedy.^[11]

Preparations

Syrup (flower)^[13]

Fresh flowers infused and combined with sugar syrup as a traditional soothing cough remedy, particularly for children.

Infusion^[11]

Dried flower or leaf infused in hot water as a traditional demulcent, calming tea.

Dosage

Infusion/syrup^[8]

A double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial used 5 mL of Viola odorata syrup every 12 hours for 4 weeks as add-on therapy for insomnia. Traditional references suggest around 2-4 g of dried flower and leaf per cup, up to three times daily. Note the EU monograph on Violae herba cum flore covers Viola tricolor, a different species, and its posology does not transfer here. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[11, 14]}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^[14]Caution

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

Herb-Drug Interactions

Sedatives Cns Depressants^{[15, 16]}Caution

Mechanism: Sweet violet is traditionally used as a calming, sedative herb; taken with sedatives, sleeping tablets or other central-nervous-system depressants (including alcohol) it may add to drowsiness and slowed reactions.

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03

Dangerous Lookalikes

Ficaria Verna^[17]Irritant

Confused Part: Low, heart-shaped spring leaves gathered as an edible; lesser celandine forms similar low leaves at the same time and place.

Confusion Context: Sweet violet (Viola odorata) is foraged in early spring for its heart-shaped leaves and flowers. Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna, fig buttercup) grows in the same season and habitat and, as foraging guidance warns, its low-growing leaves closely resemble violet; lesser celandine is toxic to humans in most stages (it contains the acrid irritant protoanemonin). Because their spring leaves are alike, this is a genuine early-season foraging hazard, although cooking destroys the toxin and the acrid taste discourages eating much.

Distinguishing Features: Flowers (decisive): sweet violet has purple (sometimes white) flowers with five uneven petals. Lesser celandine has glossy, bright-yellow star-like flowers with 8-12 petals. A yellow many-petalled flower means lesser celandine, never violet., Leaves: violet leaves are matt and heart-shaped on their own stalks from the base. Lesser celandine leaves are glossier and more kidney- to arrow-shaped, sometimes with pale mottling., Best practice: harvest violet leaves only once you can trace every leaf to a violet plant (ideally in flower), not to a yellow-flowered plant.

Key Test: Wait until the plant flowers, or trace each leaf to its flower. Purple five-petalled flowers with matt heart-shaped leaves = sweet violet. Glossy yellow flowers with 8-12 petals = lesser celandine - do not eat it raw. If you cannot confirm a violet flower, do not gather the leaves.

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Harvest Readiness

^[12]

Part: flower

Signals: Gather the sweet-scented flowers in early spring, as they open.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: It is in flower from February to April, and the seeds ripen from April to June.

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: PFAF (REF-3367); the flowers open in early spring (February-April). Single lineage -> provisional. SAFETY: sweet violet can be confused with the irritant lesser celandine (Ficaria verna) before flowering; see Dangerous Lookalikes.

^[12]

Part: leaf

Signals: Gather the leaves through the growing season - the young leaves are available even in winter in mild weather.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: Usually available all through the winter.

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: PFAF (REF-3367); the leaves are gathered through the growing season, young leaves available into winter. Single lineage -> provisional. SAFETY: as above - confusable with Ficaria verna.

External Identifiers

GBIF ›Wikidata ›

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/
Plants For A Future 'Viola odorata (Sweet Violet)'. Available at: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Viola+odorata Traditional / reference
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Viola+odorata
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
Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2024) 'Therapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review', Phytotherapy Research, 38(6), pp. 3037-3059. doi:10.1002/ptr.8201 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8201
Block, K.I., Gyllenhaal, C. and Mead, M.N (2004) 'Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 3(2), pp. 128-148. doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003
Unruly Gardening 'Foraging Violets: How to Identify, Harvest and Use'. Available at: https://unrulygardening.com/foraging-violets/ Traditional / reference
https://unrulygardening.com/foraging-violets/

Selected studies & references

ReviewTherapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review source↗ (2024)

ReviewA Critical Review on Phytochemistry, Pharmacology of Viola odorata L. and Related Multipotential Products in Traditional Persian Medicine source↗ (2017)

ReviewSafety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care source↗ (2004)

RctEfficacy and safety of add-on Viola odorata L. in the treatment of COVID-19: A randomized double-blind controlled trial source↗ (2022)

RctEffects of Viola odorata as an Add-On Therapy on Insomnia in Patients with Obsession or Depression: A Pilot Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial source↗ (2020)

RctThe Effect of Viola odorata L. Oil for Fever in Children: A Randomized Triple-blinded Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial source↗ (2020)

RctThe Effect of Viola odorata Flower Syrup on the Cough of Children With Asthma: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial source↗ (2015)

ClinicalEfficacy of Viola odorata in Treatment of Chronic Insomnia source↗ (2014)

All 15 studies in the Knowledge Finder →

Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.

← Explore plants by symptom

← Browse all plants