Heartsease

BotanicalBest taken away from food

What is it

Heartsease (Viola tricolor), also called wild pansy, is a flowering plant whose aerial parts have been used in European traditional medicine for skin and respiratory complaints.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Skin and respiratory complaints (traditional)

Mixed Evidence

Use is based on traditional herbalism. Modern clinical trials specifically on heartsease are limited.

How it works

Heartsease contains salicylates, flavonoids (rutin, violanthin), saponins, and cyclic peptides. Preclinical and traditional use suggests mild anti-inflammatory and expectorant activity, with topical use historically for eczema, cradle cap, and seborrheic skin conditions. Modern human clinical evidence is limited, and most use is in topical or mild herbal-tea form rather than concentrated extracts.

Dosage

There is no RDA. Traditional infusions use 1-3 g of dried herb per cup, taken several times daily. DSLD does not provide a median dose for this entry.

When and how to take it

Traditional infusions are taken between meals. Topical use follows product directions.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Viola tricolor aerial parts extract

Liquid extracts and dried herb for infusion are most common.

Composition varies with extraction method.

Safety

Generally well tolerated at traditional doses. People sensitive to salicylates may react. Saponin content can cause mild GI upset.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding at therapeutic doses due to limited safety data. Caution in salicylate sensitivity (e.g., aspirin allergy).

Interactions

Theoretical interactions with anticoagulants due to salicylate content; clinical relevance at typical doses is small.

Frequently asked questions

Is heartsease safe for babies?⌄

Topical use has been traditional, but consult a clinician before applying any herbal product to infant skin. Avoid internal use without professional guidance.

What is it used for?⌄

Traditionally for mild skin issues (eczema, cradle cap) and as an expectorant for mild respiratory complaints.

References

Heartsease on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Heartsease on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Heartsease (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Heartsease with Pilora

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.