You probably didn’t know that heartsease is actually a different kind of violet, which has found a place in medicinal history for quite some time. People in ancient times used the plant as a way to approach anger management. Some texts of the past have revealed such uses, as relayed by the likes of Homer, who observed the Athenians using the herb. Pliny suggested in ancient times that heartsease and violets made an effective garland of remedy, as it was associated with preventing headaches and dizzy spells.
Heartsease also found a use for romantics, as it was known as an ingredient in love potions, which eventually played a role in its naming. In Chinese culture, the herb was combined with other selections in an effort to ease the symptoms of severe childhood eczema. Overall, the plant is cold, moist, and slightly bitter. It also possesses pungent characteristics. Some of its components include volatile oils, alkaloids, saponins, and flavonoids.
Heartsease was often liked with treating a wide-range of ailments, as it possessed the following possibilities and uses: expectorant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, anti-rheumatic, laxative, and stabilizer for capillary membranes. When creating herbal remedies, it is the aerial parts of the plant that are used. One of the most well-known of ailments that heartsease treats includes disorders of the skin, which ranges from the irritating diaper rash of a baby to pesky varicose ulcers.
When coughing strikes during flu season, try to consider heartsease as a natural treatment, as it make a decent expectorant. This is due to the high saponin content of the plant. The aerial parts are also known to strengthen the blood vessels. When harvesting, it is best to accomplish when the plant is flowering.
The aerial parts of heartsease are transformed into effective poultices, creams, washes, tinctures, and infusions. A heartsease tincture has been used to treat disorders of the lung and digestive system, as well as combat urinary issues. Heartsease infusions treat reoccurring or chronic skin ailments. The remedy is also known to sooth the circulatory system, as well as stimulates the immune system.
A poultice made with the powdered form of the herb when combined with water can be applied to skin sores and ulcers. Skin rashes and irritated eczema have been treated with a cream made with heartsease. A wash of heartsease is made through the creation of an infusion that is used to battle the symptoms of cradle cap, diaper rash, insect bites, weeping sores, and varicose ulcers.
It is suggested to avoid extremely large doses of heartsease as the plant contains saponins, which can cause some people to become nauseas and vomit.
When it comes to other selections in the violet family, V. Ordata, which is known as the sweet violet creates syrups to treat coughs and mouthwashes to ease infections of the mouth and throat. The aerial parts are also used from this kind of plant. As for V. Yedoensis, the whole plant is used to make a decoction that can treat diseases of the skin, as well as abscesses.