# Three-colored violet: beneficial properties and uses > Three-colored violet: beneficial properties, uses, herb harvesting, preparation methods and important contraindications of the plant. - URL: https://celitel.online/en/blog/fialka-kashel/ - Author: Dr. Boris Wydoff — https://celitel.online/en/about/ - Published: 2026-09-28 - Language: en Three-colored violet is a low-growing wild plant with yellow-purple flowers that is found in meadows, fields, forest clearings and gardens. According to herbal medicine reference books, the herb is traditionally used as an expectorant and soothing remedy for inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract. It is also used externally in folk practice for some skin problems. ## What kind of plant is it and how can you recognize it? Three-colored violet belongs to plants that are easy to find in nature. According to reference books, it is widespread in various regions of Eurasia, including Western and Eastern Siberia and Central Asia. It grows in dry meadows, forest clearings, fields and abandoned lands. It can also be found in gardens and vegetable plots. Another suitable variety for comparison is field pansy — Viola arvensis. It grows in similar places and is considered even more undemanding. These plants look similar, so when collecting them yourself it is important to pay attention to the features of the flower. The flowers of three-colored violet are yellow-purple. It is precisely the combination of several shades that is connected with its name. Reference books also note that field pansy has smaller flowers. Their diameter can reach 1.5 cm. Its upper petals are white, while the middle and lower ones are bright yellow. The corolla does not exceed the calyx. Field pansy can hybridize with three-colored violet. In folk medicine it is also considered a plant with comparable healing properties. Therefore, when collecting wild herbs, it is especially important to identify the plant correctly. Three-colored violet forms noticeable patches. One botanical description states that during mass flowering in May it can create a continuous background on slopes along highways. It is also found in fields, meadows and lawns. Reference books describe well-lit places, meadows with slightly acidic and sufficiently moist soils, forest clearings and edges. The plant can behave like a weed in fields and gardens. The violet also has a cultural history. The wild plant with modest yellow-purple flowers became the basis for ornamental forms known as pansies. They have large velvety flowers in many different shades. The violet has long been associated with spring nature and the symbolism of love and faithfulness. In Roman mythology it is mentioned as the “flower of Jupiter.” In Christian tradition the three-colored violet was called the “flower of the Holy Trinity.” The features of the flower pattern were also given symbolic interpretations. ## What are the benefits of three-colored violet? According to herbal medicine reference books, the aerial part of three-colored violet has anti-inflammatory properties. In medicinal plant references, this action is associated with the presence of pharmacologically active substances in the aerial part of the plant. In folk medicine, violet is traditionally used primarily for diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Infusions and decoctions are described as expectorant and soothing remedies. This method of use is connected with the traditional use of the plant for inflammatory conditions of the respiratory tract. For coughs, the plant is therefore considered not as an independent treatment for the cause of illness, but as a traditional herbal remedy to soothe symptoms and ease the removal of mucus. Violet also has external uses. Herbal books describe the use of a water decoction of the herb in the form of compresses. In one folk recipe, three-colored violet is combined with German chamomile. Such a decoction is used for compresses for scrofula and boils. Other traditional recipes relate to skin care. Violet is included in mixtures that were used for itchy skin and various skin problems. In folk practice it was also used for diathesis, dermatitis, psoriasis and other skin conditions. External use of flower oil is also described. In herbal books it is used for dry and oily seborrhea of the skin of the face and scalp. This is a traditional use, not proof of a therapeutic effect for each of the listed conditions. Three-colored violet is also found in old folk recipes for children. For example, a water decoction of a mixture with lemon balm and succession herb was given to drink and used for bathing in cases of scrofula and boils. In another recipe, violet was combined with viburnum and succession herb and the water decoction was used for bathing children. Today, such old recipes require particular caution. Modern safety data are limited, and age restrictions for three-colored violet are quite strict. ## How is it used in folk practice? The main medicinal part of the plant is referred to in reference books as the herb. Lists of medicinal plant raw materials also identify violet specifically as a herb. For internal use in folk medicine, infusions and decoctions are described. They were traditionally used as expectorant and soothing remedies for inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract. For external use, water decoctions are mentioned. They were used for compresses and other external procedures. For example, a decoction of chamomile and three-colored violet was used for compresses for scrofula and boils. Old folk recipes also include water decoctions made from several plants. Violet was combined with lemon balm and succession herb, as well as with viburnum and succession herb. Such mixtures were used in traditional practice for external application. The exact proportions of these multi-component recipes are not given in the descriptions provided, so it is not advisable to reproduce them from memory. This is especially important when using them for children. When preparing home remedies, it is important to distinguish three-colored violet from related species. An error in identifying the plant changes the composition of the raw material. In addition, the safety of a particular recipe depends not only on the violet itself but also on all components of the mixture. ## How to properly harvest the herb? For medicinal purposes, the herb of violet is used. In reference books, the plant is considered wild medicinal raw material. Violet is widespread and can grow right near roads, in fields, meadows and gardens. However, the fact that a plant grows in an accessible place does not mean that such a location is suitable for harvesting. Special caution is needed with plants growing directly near roads. One description notes mass flowering in May. During this period, three-colored violet can form large patches and is clearly visible among other vegetation. When collecting, it is important to identify the species correctly. Field pansy may grow nearby on the same site as three-colored violet. These plants are similar, and field pansy can hybridize with three-colored violet. After harvesting, the herb should be stored as medicinal plant raw material in a dry place. It is important to protect it from moisture and conditions in which the raw material can spoil. For home use, it makes sense to label the package with the plant name and harvesting date. ## What is known about the tradition of using violet? The healing properties of violets have been known since ancient times. In old botanical and medicinal books, the plant occupies not only a place as a medicinal herb but also an important place in culture. Wild violet has small yellow-purple flowers. Over time, people developed numerous ornamental forms. These are known as pansies and are widely used in gardens and flower beds. In the symbolism of different eras, violet was associated with spring. It was perceived as a sign of nature’s awakening. The plant was also associated with love and faithfulness. Three-colored violet also had a special Christian interpretation. The dark spot in the center of the flower was compared with the All-Seeing Eye, while the surrounding pattern was seen as radiance. The three sides of the central triangle were associated with the three faces of the Holy Trinity. This history does not determine the medicinal effect of the plant. But it shows how long violet has been known to people and how diverse its meaning has been. ## How to find three-colored violet abroad Abroad, it is better to search for three-colored violet by its Latin name *Viola tricolor L.* and its local name. The needed material is flowering aerial parts — flowers together with the upper leaves and stems. In descriptions of medicinal raw materials, this may be indicated as *herba cum flore*. - **USA:** wild pansy, heartsease or Johnny-jump-up. It is sold as dried herb, tea bags, liquid extracts and tinctures, capsules. It can be searched for among herbal and health product sellers, as well as in online stores. - **Germany:** wildes Stiefmütterchen or Stiefmütterchenkraut. It is available as loose dried raw material, Arzneitee and tinctures. Look in pharmacies, herb stores and health product stores, and online shops. The label Stiefmütterchenkraut does not always mean only *V. tricolor*: some medicinal teas also allow *V. arvensis*. - **France:** pensée sauvage or sommités fleuries de pensée sauvage. It is sold as dried flowering raw material, tisane, teinture mère/liquid extract and gélules; it can be found in herbal shops, some pharmacies and online stores. Check the packaging for *Viola tricolor L.*, flowering aerial parts, *herba cum flore*, Stiefmütterchenkraut or sommités fleuries. Also check whether it is indicated as a medicinal tea, ordinary herbal tea or food supplement, and whether the required organic certification is present. Labeling and sales rules depend on the country: for example, in the USA dietary supplements do not receive prior FDA approval before being sold. ## Three-colored violet: contraindications and precautions When using three-colored violet, it is important to consider current safety data. Allergy to Viola tricolor is a contraindication. Caution is also needed with an allergy to salicylates. The plant should not be applied externally to open wounds or large areas of damaged skin. For external use, the form of the procedure also matters. Hot baths with an infusion are contraindicated in fever, infectious diseases, heart failure and hypertension. According to EMA, no established drug interactions for three-colored violet have been reported. But this does not mean that interactions definitely do not exist. Reliable data are still insufficient. Pregnancy and breastfeeding require special caution. Safety of use during these periods has not been established, so EMA does not recommend using three-colored violet during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Age is also important. EMA does not recommend internal use of the plant before 18 years of age. External use is not recommended before 12 years because of insufficient safety data. Separate caution is needed in cases of G6PD deficiency. One case of hemolysis has been described in a nine-month-old child with this deficiency after internal use of the plant. Therefore, violet should be avoided in people with confirmed G6PD deficiency. Allergic reactions are possible. EMA does not report registered cases of overdose. At the same time, studies of reproductive toxicity, genotoxicity and carcinogenicity have not been conducted. Therefore, three-colored violet cannot be considered a proven safe remedy. ## When is a doctor needed? A herbal remedy should not replace medical diagnosis. If symptoms persist, worsen or cause concern, the cause of the condition should be determined by a doctor. It is especially important to seek medical help in cases of severe allergic reactions, high fever, signs of infection or unusual worsening of health. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are reasons to discuss any use of violet with a doctor in advance. The same applies to chronic diseases and regular medication use. For children, three-colored violet requires special caution. Current age restrictions do not allow home recipes to be considered a universal option for children. If the plant is planned for external use, medical advice is especially appropriate with damaged skin, widespread rash or an unknown cause of skin changes. ## From the editors The article was prepared using herbal medicine reference books and describes traditional ways of using three-colored violet. The material does not replace a doctor's consultation and individual medical assessment. ## FAQ **Q: Why is three-colored violet used?** A: In folk medicine, the herb is traditionally used as an expectorant and soothing remedy for inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract, as well as externally for some skin problems. **Q: What are the benefits of three-colored violet?** A: According to reference books, the aerial part has anti-inflammatory properties, and infusions and decoctions are traditionally used as expectorant and soothing remedies. **Q: How do you prepare three-colored violet?** A: In folk practice, water infusions and decoctions of the herb are used, but the exact proportions of a specific internal recipe are not given in the reference descriptions provided. **Q: How is three-colored violet used?** A: The herb is traditionally used internally for inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract and externally in the form of water decoctions for compresses and other procedures. **Q: What are the contraindications of three-colored violet?** A: Contraindications include allergy to the plant or salicylates; use is also not recommended during pregnancy, breastfeeding and for children according to established age restrictions. **Q: Can three-colored violet be given to children?** A: EMA does not recommend internal use before 18 years of age and external use before 12 years because of insufficient safety data. **Q: Can you drink three-colored violet during pregnancy?** A: Safety has not been established, so EMA does not recommend using three-colored violet during pregnancy and breastfeeding. **Q: Which part of three-colored violet is harvested?** A: For medicinal purposes, the herb of three-colored violet is used. _Educational content; it does not replace medical advice._