What is it?
An extract of the flowering herb of wild pansy, Viola tricolor, also called heartsease, a plant in the violet family found across Europe and Asia. Wild pansy has a long history in European herbal medicine, particularly for use on the skin. In cosmetics the EU ingredient database lists the extract as an emollient, skin-protecting and soothing ingredient. It is the plain extract; hydrolyzed wild pansy extract is a related ingredient that has been broken down further.
Key information
- The European Medicines Agency's herbal committee found no serious concern about the toxicity of wild pansy herb.
- Under its European Pharmacopoeia standard, wild pansy herb must contain at least 1.5 percent flavonoids; rutin is the main one.
- The herb also contains about 10 percent mucilage and 0.06 to 0.3 percent salicylic acid and related compounds.
- People who are allergic to salicylates or to plants in the violet family may want to avoid it.
More information
Wild pansy herb, the dried flowering parts of the plant, has long been used in European herbal medicine, taken as a tea or applied to the skin as an infusion in wet dressings and baths. In 2010 the European Medicines Agency’s herbal committee (HMPC) published a monograph on it as a traditional herbal medicine, based on long-standing use rather than clinical trials. Its assessment lists flavonoids (mainly rutin), about 10 percent mucilage, carotenoids, tannins and 0.06 to 0.3 percent salicylic acid and related compounds among the plant’s constituents.
The committee found no serious concern about the toxicity of wild pansy herb and no reports of adverse effects from EU member states. It also noted gaps: tests for genetic damage, cancer and reproductive effects have not been done, and allergic reactions to the violet family should be considered. Its monograph lists allergy to salicylates as a reason not to use the herb, advises against applying it to open wounds or large areas of damaged skin, and does not recommend skin use in children under 12 because of a lack of data. One case of hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells) was reported in a 9-month-old infant with G6PD deficiency who was given wild pansy by mouth.
Wild pansy extract has not been assessed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review or the EU’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, and its EU cosmetic ingredient listing (CosIng) carries no restrictions. We found no reports of skin reactions to it. On labels, look for Viola Tricolor Extract.
Sources: European Medicines Agency: Community herbal monograph on Viola tricolor L., herba cum flore (2010); European Medicines Agency: Assessment report on Viola tricolor L., herba cum flore (2010); European Commission CosIng: Viola Tricolor Extract
