Pansy
Parts Usually Used
Leaves
Description of Plant(s) and Culture
The pansy is an annual plant; the soft, angular, hollow stem, 4-12 inches high, bears alternate, ovate to lanceolate, toothed leaves on the lower part of the plant. Stipules are large, leaflike, and strongly divided. The solitary, axillary flowers may be yellow, blue, violet, or two-colored, the flowering time is from March to October.
Where Found
Widely cultivated as a garden ornamental but is also found wild in fields and meadows, heaths, moors, sunny banks, and along the edges of forests in North America, northern Asia, and Europe.
Medicinal Properties
Anodyne, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, laxative, vulnerary
Biochemical Information
Mucilage, salicylic acid, saponins, a flavonic glycoside called violaquercetin
Legends, Myths and Stories
). Lady’s thumb is of the buckwheat family and has no similarity whatsoever to the pansy. Legend has it that the flowers, originally white, were turned purple by one of Cupid’s arrows, thus the basal leaves are heart-shaped. Used medicinally since ancient times; once used in love potions, hence the name of heart’s ease.
Uses
Historically, herbalists administered infusions of pansy for skin eruptions, diarrhea, urinary complaints, fevers, and as a mild sedative or blood purifier. Folk traditions also utilized the plant for asthma, heart palpitations, jaundice, gout, rheumatic conditions, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, dry throat, pleurisy, coughs, chest congestion, lung inflammations, and to ward off colds.
Additionally, it was noted in traditional records for addressing itch, blemished skin, psoriasis, acne, scaly skin conditions, bedwetting, retinal hemorrhages, a tendency to bruise, hives, and varicose veins. Externally, the dried and powdered plant was applied to sores, ulcers, and wounds, or prepared with honey as a topical salve.
Warning
Contains saponins; may be toxic in larger doses. May induce nausea and vomiting. Excessive doses or prolonged, continuous use can lead to skin problems.
Bibliography
American Folk Medicine , by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1973 The Complete Medicinal Herbal , by Penelope Ody, Dorling Kindersley, Inc, 232 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, First American Edition, copyright 1993 Culpeper’s Complete Herbal & English Physician: Updated With 117 Modern Herbs , by Nicholas Culpeper, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1990, (reprint of 1814) Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants , by Steven Foster and James A.
, Pantheon Books, Knopf Publishing Group, New York, 1994, first edition The Healing Plants , by Mannfried Pahlow, Barron’s Educational Series, Inc. , Hauppauge, NY 11788, 1992 The Herb Book , by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974. The Magic of Herbs , by David Conway, published by Jonathan Cape, Thirty Bedford Square, London, England. (Out of print) The Nature Doctor: A Manual of Traditional and Complementary Medicine , by Dr.
A. , 27 Pine Street (Box 876) New Canaan, CT. 06840-0876. Copyright Verlag A. , Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. , 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023 The Rodale Herb Book: How to Use, Grow, and Buy Nature’s Miracle Plants (An Organic gardening and farming book) , edited by William H. Hylton, Rodale Press, Inc. , 1974