Symptom → Plant Sources
Sweet Violet (Viola odorata) as a tool for helping with Respiratory support
inferred from expectorant action
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Full Sweet Violet monograph →All plants for respiratory support →
In a randomized double-blind controlled trial, add-on Viola odorata (sweet violet) improved respiratory symptoms in patients with COVID-19, supporting its traditional demulcent/expectorant use for respiratory complaints.
This study aimed to investigate the effect of violet syrup on cough alleviation in children with intermittent asthma. In a parallel, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 182 children aged 2 to 12 years with intermittent asthma were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive violet syrup or placebo along with the common standard treatments in both groups (short-acting β-agonist). Both groups were evaluated in terms of the duration until cough suppression was achieved. No significant difference was observed in basic characteristics. The duration lasting to yield more than 50% cough reduction and 100% cough suppression was significantly less in the violet syrup group compared to placebo (P = .001, P < .001, respectively). There was no significant difference in therapeutic effects between boys and girls. There was a significant inverse correlation between the age of children and rate of cough alleviation and suppression by violet syrup. This study showed that the adjuvant use of violet syrup with short-acting β-agonist can enhance the cough suppression in children with intermittent asthma.
3 sources supporting Sweet Violet for Respiratory support. Includes scientific publications, books, monographs and traditional-use references.
Mechanistic basis
This use is associated with the plant's expectorant action. Further evidence for that pharmacology:
This critical review of sweet violet (Viola odorata) summarises its phytochemistry and pharmacology and its multiple uses in traditional Persian medicine, including demulcent, expectorant, anti-inflammatory and sedative applications for respiratory and nervous complaints.