382/HARTSTONGUE PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINESKern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde 1-8: Springer Verlag
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969 (unter Phyllitis
scolopendrium).
Madaus G. Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck. Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.Heartsease
Viola tricolorDESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the dried aerial
parts, the fresh aerial parts of the flowering plant and the
whole plant.Flower and Fruit: The solitary, long-pedicled flower is
yellow or tricolored. It has 5 lanceolate, acute and uneven
sepals with an appendage and 5 uneven petals, the largest of
which is spurred. The 5 stamens also have an appendage at
the tip. There are 3 fused superior ovaries. The fruit is an
ellipsoid, obtusely angular capsule, which bursts open at 3
points. The seeds are pear-shaped and yellow.Leaves, Stem and Root: Heartsease is annual to perennial and
grows about 30 cm high. The shoots are usually yellowish
green, glabrous or covered in scattered hairs. The stem is
erect, angular, unbranched or branched, glabrous or short-
haired. It has short internodes below and longer ones above.
The leaves are alternate, glabrous, or short-haired. The lower
leaves are cordate; the upper ones are oblong-elliptical. The
stipules are lyrate-pinnatesect and have a large, crenate
terminal tip.Characteristics: The plant is odorless and the taste slimy-
sweetish.Habitat: The plant is indigenous to temperate Eurasia, from
the Mediterranean to India and as far as Ireland. It is
cultivated in Holland and France.Production: Viola herb consists of the dried, above-ground
parts of Viola tricolor, mainly of the subspecies vulgaris and
subspecies arvensis, harvested at flowering season. The herb
is cultivated predominantly in central Europe. The flowering
above-ground parts are harvested in die summer months and
carefully dried on a well ventilated floor or at 45° C to
50° C. Two to three harvests per year are possible.
Other Names: European Wild Pansy, Johnny-Jump-Up, Wild
Pansy
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Flavonoids (0.2-0.4%): including among others rutin (viola-
quercitrin, 23%), luteolin-7-O-glucosides, scoparin, sapona-
rine, violanthin, vicinein-2, vitexinPhenol carboxylic acid: salicylic acid (0.06-0.3%), violuto-
side (violutin, glucoarabinoside of the methyl salicylate)Mucilage (10%)Tannins (2-5%)
Hydroxycoumarins: umbelliferoneTriterpene saponins (speculated)
EFFECTS
The drug has soothing, salve-like effects due to its mucin
content; in animal experiments oral administration brought
about an improvement of eczema-like skin conditions after
long-term use. The antisporiatic effect attributed to the drug
may be explained by the saponin content, as can its use for
catarrh of the upper respiratory tract. In vitro the drug is
hemolytic and increases chloride elimination in the urine.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Approved hy Commission E:- Inflammation of the skin
Unproven Uses: External uses include mild seborrheic skin
diseases, cradle cap in children and various skin disorders,
including wet and dry exanthema, eczema, Crusta lactea,
acne, impetigo and Pruritus vulvae. The plant is used
internally as a mild laxative for constipation and as an
auxiliary agent to promote metabolism.Historic uses of Heartsease include the treatment of respira-
tory catarrh, throat inflammation, whooping cough and
feverish colds.Homeopathic Uses: The drug is used for eczema and
inflammation of the urinary tract.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction
with the proper administration of designated therapeutic
dosages.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Whole, cut and powdered drug is
available for infusions, decoctions and other galenic prepara-
tions. It is also available in ointments and shampoos for
external use.
Preparation: To make a tea, pour 1 cup of scalding water
over 1 dessertspoonful of drug. An infusion for internal use
is prepared using 5 to 10 gm drug per 1 liter of water. A