Botanical Name: Viola odorata Linn.
Identification No : SDACH/HG/194
Family Name: Violaceae
Vernacular Names
Hindi: Banafsha
English: Sweet Violet, wood Voilet
Punjabi: Banafsha
Tamil: Vayilethe
Habitat & Distribution
Cultivated and naturalized in parts of Northern India including Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand. Found in cool, temperate, and shaded moist regions.
Morphology
Perennial herb with creeping rhizome
Leaves: Heart-shaped, long-stalked, softly pubescent
Flowers: Purple or violet, fragrant, 5-petaled with spurred lower petal
Fruits: Capsule, contains small seeds
Flowering Season: February to April
Height: 10–15 cm
Varieties
Substitute / Adulterant
Substitute: In absence, Viola cineria is used in similar conditions
Phytochemicals
- Methyl salicylate
- Viola quercitrin
- Alkaloids
- Saponins
- Tannins
- Flavonoids (quercetin, rutin)
- Essential oils
Raspanchaka
- Rasa: Tikta, Madhura
- Guna: Laghu, Snigdha
- Virya: Shita
- Vipaka: Madhura
- Prabhava: Kasa-Shwasahara
- Dosha Shamakta: Pitta-Kapha Shamak
Karma – Rogaghnata
Amayika Prayoga / Therapeutic Uses
Internal
- Flower decoction in dry cough, bronchitis, asthma
- Used in fevers, throat infections, skin allergies
- Acts as a mild laxative
- Infusion in insomnia and anxiety
External
Treating skin disorders, inflammation, and swelling
Part Used
Flowers, leaves and roots.
Yoga / Formulations
- Unani: Sharbat-e-Banafsha
IUCN Status
Not Evaluated.
Research Updates
- 2020 – Journal of Herbal Medicine:
Viola odorata extract showed significant bronchodilator and antitussive activity in guinea pig models of asthma. - 2021 – BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies:
Clinical trials demonstrated efficacy in reducing sore throat and pharyngitis symptoms within 48–72 hours of syrup use. - 2023 – Pharmacognosy Research:
Flavonoid-rich extract of Viola odorata exhibited antidepressant and mild anxiolytic effects in animal behavior models.
