heartsease

Action and Spectrum

Actions and Spectrum: 

Expectorant: heartsease has expectorant properties which make easier to cough up and clear congestion.  

Diuretic: heartsease acts as a diuretic, promoting increased urine production and helping to flush out excess water and toxins from the body.  

Mild Sedative: heartsease has mild soothing properties, which can help promote relaxation and calmness. It may alleviate symptoms of mild anxiety, stress, and nervousness and promote better sleep. 

The Spectrum of heartsease: 

Skin Health: heartsease is often used topically in skincare products due to its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. It may help calm irritated skin, reduce redness and inflammation, and promote overall health. 

Respiratory Health: heartsease’s expectorant properties make it beneficial for respiratory health. It may help relieve coughs, colds, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions by loosening mucus and promoting easier breathing. 

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

None known 

Black Box Warning

Black Box Warning:  

Hepatotoxicity: heartsease (Viola tricolor) has been associated with cases of liver toxicity, including severe liver injury and failure. Cases of liver injury, some leading to liver transplantation or death, have been reported in patients using heartsease.  

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution:  

Allergy: Individuals allergic to plants in the Violaceae family, including violets and pansies, may also be allergic to heartsease. Allergic reactions can range from mild skin irritations, difficulty breathing, or anaphylaxis. 

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: heartsease may not be safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women. limited information is available on the safety of heartsease during pregnancy and lactation, and it is best to avoid using heartsease or any other herbal remedies without proper medical guidance during these times. 

Bleeding disorders: heartsease has been reported to have anticoagulant (blood-thinning) properties, hence avoided in bleeding disorders. 

Surgery: heartsease may increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery due to its anticoagulant properties.  It is important to inform before undergoing surgery or any medical procedure. 

Interactions with medications: heartsease may interact with certain medications, including anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, and diuretics. 

Liver or kidney disease: heartsease contains various bioactive compounds that may affect liver or kidney function. Individuals with liver or kidney disease should exercise caution and seek advice 

from a qualified healthcare professional before using heartsease or any other herbal remedies. 

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy warnings:     

Pregnancy category: N/A 

Lactation: Excreted into human milk is unknown 

Pregnancy Categories:         

Category A: Studies that were well-controlled and met expectations revealed no risk to the fetus in either the first or second trimester. 

Category B: There were a lack of studies on pregnant women and no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal experiments.   

Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.    

Category D: adequate data with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.   

Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.    

Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this category 

Pharmacology

Pharmacology: 

heartsease, also known as Viola tricolor, is an herbal plant commonly used in traditional medicine for various purposes, including its potential cardiovascular effects. The pharmacology of heartsease involves its active constituents, including flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and mucilage. 

Pharmacodynamics Mechanism: 

The pharmacodynamics of heartsease refers to how the active constituents of the herb interact with the body to produce therapeutic effects. 

heartsease contains a variety of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and mucilage, which are responsible for its pharmacological effects.  

Mechanism of Action:  

Anti-inflammatory activity: heartsease has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects, which may help reduce inflammation in the cardiovascular system.  

Antioxidant activity: heartsease contains flavonoids, which are known to possess antioxidant properties. which can cause oxidative stress and damage to cells, including those in the cardiovascular system. By reducing oxidative stress, heartsease may help protect against cardiovascular diseases. 

Vasodilatory activity: heartsease has been reported to exhibit vasodilatory effects, which  can help widen blood vessels and improve blood flow. This may help lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular function. 

Platelet inhibitory activity: heartsease has been shown to possess platelet inhibitory activity, which means it can reduce the aggregation or clumping together of platelets in the blood.  

Pharmacokinetics: 

Absorption 

heartsease can be administered orally in the form of teas, tinctures, or capsules. After oral administration, the active constituents of heartsease are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream. The absorption of heartsease may be influenced by factors such as the formulation, dosage, and individual patient characteristics. 

Distribution 

Once absorbed, the active constituents of heartsease are distributed throughout the body via the bloodstream. 

Metabolism 

heartsease undergoes metabolism in the liver, where its active constituents are transformed into different metabolites. The specific metabolic pathways and enzymes involved in the metabolism of heartsease have not been extensively studied, and more research is needed to understand the metabolism of heartsease in detail. 

Elimination and Excretion 

The elimination of heartsease and its metabolites from the body occurs primarily through renal excretion. After metabolism, heartsease and its metabolites are filtered by the kidneys and excreted in urine. The excretion of heartsease may also occur through other routes, such as feces, bile, or sweat, but these routes are less significant compared to renal excretion. 

Adminstartion

Administration:  

Herbal Tea: heartsease can be prepared as a herbal tea, which is one of the most common methods of administration.

Tincture: heartsease can also be prepared as a tincture, which is a concentrated liquid extract. Tinctures are made by macerating the herb in alcohol or another solvent to extract its medicinal compounds.  

Topical Application: heartsease can also be used topically as a salve, poultice, or infused oil for various skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, and rashes. Here’s how you can apply heartsease topically: 

Cleanse the affected area of the skin with mild soap and water. 

Apply a thin layer of heartsease salve, poultice, or infused oil to the affected area. 

Gently massage or cover with a clean cloth or bandage, if applicable. 

Follow the recommended frequency and duration of application provided by a qualified herbalist or healthcare provider. 

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet 

Generic Name: heartsease 

Why do we use heartsease?  

Skin conditions: heartsease has been used traditionally for its anti-inflammatory properties, which can help relieve symptoms of skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, and acne. It may be used topically as a poultice or cream, or taken orally as a tea or tincture. 

Respiratory health: heartsease has been used as an herbal remedy for respiratory conditions such as coughs, colds, and bronchitis. It is believed to have expectorant properties, which can help loosen mucus and ease respiratory symptoms. 

Diuretic properties: heartsease has mild diuretic properties, which means it may help increase urine production and promote urine flow. This may be helpful in cases of mild fluid retention or edema. 

Mild sedative: heartsease has been used traditionally as a mild sedative to help calm the nerves and promote relaxation. It may be used as an herbal remedy for mild anxiety, nervousness, or insomnia.