The numerous existing subspecies, varieties and forms are native to all temperate climates of Asia and Europe. Viola arvensis, also known as a cereal weed, is considered to be the main supplier of the drug material. This is also taken up as a subspecies of the classic field pansy and is widespread throughout the world.
Pansies in herbal medicine.
The drug material comes from wild occurrences and partly from cultures in France and Holland. In herbal medicine, the above-ground dried parts of the pansy collected at flowering time, together with the flowers (Violae tricoloris herba) are used.
Pansy: typical characteristics
Pansy is an annual, rarely perennial, plant that grows up to 30 cm high. It bears heart-shaped, hairless leaves and pinnately lobed stipules.
The characteristic flowers are either white, yellow or purple or tricolor with all three colors mentioned. Multiform forms, subspecies and varieties of the plant exist.
Medicine from pansies
Deep blue, purple and bright yellow, usually rolled flowers are characteristic for the drug. In addition, yellow to yellow-brown fruit capsules or parts thereof, pale yellow pear-shaped seeds, hollow stem fragments and strongly shriveled, light green leaf fragments are part of the drug.
Odor and taste of pansy.
Pansies emit a very faint, peculiar odor. The taste of pansy can most readily be described as mucilaginous-sweet.