Look-Up-and-Kiss-Me

This large genus of some 500 species of mostly annuals, biennials, and perennials is found throughout temperate regions. Sweet violets (V. odorata) were grown commercially in Greece as early as 400BCE for sale in the market in Athens. They were extolled by Muslims in the saying "the excellence of the violet isa s the excellence of Islam above all other religions". The Romans drank violet-flavored wine and were criticized by Horace (65-8BCE) for spending more time growing violets than olives. Violets were the favorite flowers of Napoleon, who was nicknamed Caporal Violette and died wearing a locket of violets taken from Josephine's grave. During the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901), violets reached cult status as were grown on a vast scale for cut flowers and perfumery. Ionene, the main aromatic element in V. odorata, was synthesized in 1893, leading to the decline in the cultivation of violets for perfumery. The downward trend continued as a result of World Wars I and II, and by the mid-20th century cultivars were very scarce or extinct. Violets of various kinds are regarded as cleansing herbs and have been used in the background for treatment of cancer. Viola canina (dog violet) has similar medicinal properties to V. odorata, but has unscented flowers. Viola yezoensis has featured in trials for treating childhood eczema at the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital in London. Viola striata is also used medicinally and has anti-tumor effects. Chinese herbals feature a number of other species, including V. diffusa, V. inconspicua and V. patrinii. High doses of violets cause nausea and vomiting because of the irritant effect of the saponins on the digestive system.

Heartsease, a beautiful little wild pansy that was a staple in medieval gardens, was once believed to be a potent love charm. Its flowers are an old remedy for heart disease, and an infusion of the herb was reputedly the cure for a broken heart. Heartsease contains salicylates and rutin, both of which are anti-inflammatories, and may explain the herb's ability to calm skin inflammation.

Annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial with upright to spreading stems and ovate to heart-shaped, toothed to lobed leaves, to 3cm (1¼in) long. Pansy-like flowers, about 2.5cm (1in) across, in various combinations of purple, lilac, white and yellow, are produced in spring and summer.


Common Name:
Look-Up-and-Kiss-Me
Other Names:
Heartsease, Heart's Ease, Johnny-Jump-Up, Pansy, Pansy Viscum, Wild Pansy
Botanical Name:
Viola tricolor
Genus:
Viola
Family:
Violaceae
Location:
W and S Europe; widely naturalized.
Cultivation:
Well-drained, moist, rich soil in sun or partial shade. Remove dead flowers promptly in order to prolong flowering. Plants may be damaged by slugs, snails, and viral and fungal diseases. Viola tricolor self sows freely.
Propagation:
By seed sown when ripe or in spring; by stem tip cuttings in spring or late summer; by division in autumn or spring.
Harvest:
Whole plants, leaves, and flowers are collected during the flowering season, and dried for use in decoctions (V. yezoensis), infusions, and liquid extracts. Roots are collected in autumn and dried for decoctions. Leaves of V. odorata are often used fresh, and flowers may also be picked in spring for extraction of essential oil. V. tricolor is often powdered when dried and used in skin creams.
Height:
38cm (15in)
:Width
38cm (15in)
Hardiness:
Z4-9
Parts Used:
Whole plant, Flower
Properties:
A bitter-sweet, cooling herb that is laxative and diuretic, lowers fever, cleanses toxins, and reduces inflammation. It is also expectorant, relieves pain, and promotes healing.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for bronchitis, whooping cough, rheumatism, skin complaints (especially weeping eczema), urinary complaints, capillary fragility, and autoimmune disease involving several of these symptoms. Externally for itching skin complaints and varicose ulcers. Combines well with Galium aparine (See, Goosegrass), Rumex crispus (See, Curled Dock), Trifolium pratense (See, Red Clover), and Urtica dioica (See, Nettle) for eczema; with Agathosma crenulata (See, Oval-leaf Buchu), Elymus repens (See, Quack Grass), and Eupatorium purpureum (See, Joe Pye Weed) for cystitis; and with Tussilago farfara (See, Coltsfoot) or Urginea maritima (See, Sea Onion) for whooping cough.
To treat eczema, seborrhea, cradle cap, and constipation. Germany's Commission E has approved the use of heartsease to treat skin inflammation.
Possible Side Effects:
Heartsease's side effects include anorexia and diarrhea.
Drug Interactions:
Taking heartsease with these drugs may increase the action of the drug:
Aminosalicylic Acid, (Nemasol Sodium, Paser)
Aspirin, (Bufferin, Ecotrin)
Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate, (Trilisate)
Choline Salicylate, (Teejel)
Salsalate, (Amgesic, Salflex)
Culinary Uses:
Flowers are added to salads, used as a garnish, or frozen in ice cubes for summer drinks.
Bibliography:
Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright ©: 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pg.405
The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp.267-268