Heartsease

Also known as wild pansy or Johnny-jump-up, heartsease is a common little woodland herb native to Europe and Eurasia. Not to be confused with sweet violet (Viola odorata), which is a close relative with distinctively different purple flowers, heartsease is a valued remedy for skin diseases however it was also used traditionally for its expectorant and anti-inflammatory activities in bronchitis, whooping cough, asthma and rheumatism. It can be taken internally and topically for eczema, psoriasis, hives and itching, acne and topically in babies who have cradle cap. It is also used in the urinary system to treat frequent and painful urination associated with conditions such as cystitis. 

One of the most beloved herbalists of our time, the late Juliette de Bairacli Levy, says that, as its common name may suggest, heartsease is famed for its beneficial effects on the heart both as a tonic and a remedy, including to treat heart weakness and high blood pressure. She also says it is useful for skin ailments, breast swellings, boils and abscesses. A lesser know action is that it is “known to aid speed for athletes.” 

In older folk medicine heartsease was considered to be an alterative, or blood cleansing agent, that had a metabolism promoting action. It was also used to gently alter the functioning of nerves, and the immune system, and was seen as helpful in cases of nightmares, insomnia and distressed sleep with frequent night awakenings. The herb has been used after surgery to prevent reoccurring tumours. 

References

Hoffmann D. Medical Herbalism. Rochester: Healing Arts Press. 2003. p. 595

de Bairacli Levy J. Common Herbs for Natural Health. Ash Tree Publishing:New York. 1997. p.116

Rimkiene S, Ragazinskiene O, Savickiene N. The cumulation of Wild pansy (Viola tricolor L.) accessions: the possibility of species preservation and usage in medicine. Medicina (Kaunas). 2003;39(4):411-6. PMID: 12738912.