Vanapsa
Viola odorata L.
Vanapsa (Viola odorata L.) is a plant drug, also called Nilapuspa and Banaphsa, from the Violaceae family. Not in WHO monographs; recognized in Unani Pharmacopoeia (as Banafsha); listed in traditional Persian, European, and Indian medicine systems.
| Botanical name | Viola odorata L. |
|---|---|
| Family | Violaceae |
| Order | Malpighiales |
| Pharmacopoeia status | Not in WHO monographs; recognized in Unani Pharmacopoeia (as Banafsha); listed in traditional Persian, European, and Indian medicine systems |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 5331181 · Wikidata Q108684 · NCBI Taxonomy 97441 |
| Sanskrit | नीलपुष्पा (nīlapuṣpā), वनप्सा (vanapsā) |
|---|---|
| Hindi | बनफ्शा (banaphśā) |
Sources: Planet Ayurveda monograph 'Viola odorata Linn./Banafasha' and the Banafsha review literature, which give 'Sanskrit: Jvarapaha, Nilapushpa, Sukshmapatra, Vanapsa'; Planet Ayurveda monograph for Viola odorata Linn.: 'Sanskrit: Jvarapaha, Nilapushpa, Sukshmapatra, Vanapsa'; Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Ayurveda College (sdach.ac.in) Dravyaguna Vigyan monograph 'Banafsha', which identifies the drug as Viola odorata Linn. (Violaceae) and gives 'Hindi: Banafsha, Punjabi: Banafsha, Tamil: Vayilethe'; corroborated by the Banafsha (Viola odorata) reviews in IJAPR and by Planet Ayurveda's Viola odorata monograph. How we source.
The evidence at a glance
12papers on this site for this drug, published 2017 to 2026, every one with a DOI.
- 2Randomised controlled trials
- 4Other clinical studies and reviews
- 6Laboratory and animal studies
A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Vanapsa |
| Latin/Botanical | Viola odorata L. |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Cyclotides (cyclic peptides - cycloviolacin O1, O2)
- Procyanidins (procyanidin C1 - Na+/K+ ATPase inhibitor)
- Salicylic acid derivatives
- Rutin and quercetin (flavonoids)
- Essential oils (methyl salicylate, nonadienal)
- Saponins, tannins, and alkaloids
How does it work?
- Anti-inflammatory action via flavonoid-mediated inhibition of COX-2, LOX-5, and NF-kB inflammatory pathways
- Anticancer activity through cyclotide-mediated disruption of cancer cell membranes and induction of apoptosis
- Diuretic and cardiovascular effect via procyanidin C1-mediated inhibition of Na+/K+-ATPase
- Expectorant and mucolytic action through saponin-mediated stimulation of respiratory tract secretions
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Respiratory disorders and cough (Kasa-hara): traditionally used for these conditions. Studies have reported expectorant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
- Antipyretic (Jvarahara): traditionally used for this purpose. Pharmacological studies have reported diaphoretic and antipyretic activities.
- Skin health and complexion (Varnya): traditionally used in face preparations. Studies have reported anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.
- Sleep aid and anxiolytic (Nidrajanana): traditionally used as a sedative. Studies have reported calming effects on the central nervous system linked to flavonoids.
What do recent studies show?
- El-Feky AM, El-Rashedy AA 2025. Anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic assessment of flavonoids isolated from Viola odorata flowers with computer-guided docking study. Scientific reports. PMID 40968164 · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-19442-4
Isolated specific flavonoids from flowers and demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities; molecular docking confirmed strong binding to inflammatory and cancer-related protein targets. - Batiha GE, Lukman HY, Shaheen HM and others 2023. A Systematic Review of Phytochemistry, Nutritional Composition, and Pharmacologic Application of Species of the Genus Viola in Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs). Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. PMID 37941895 · doi:10.1155/2023/5406039
Systematic review establishing Viola odorata as having the highest number of isolated bioactive compounds among Viola species with documented efficacy against noncommunicable diseases. - Heger T, Zatloukal M, Kubala M and others 2022. Procyanidin C1 from Viola odorata L. inhibits Na(+),K(+)-ATPase. Scientific reports. PMID 35487935 · doi:10.1038/s41598-022-11086-y
Identified procyanidin C1 as a novel Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitor.
Recent safety updates
- Generally safe at traditional doses (flowers and leaves used in teas and syrups); cyclotides have cytotoxic potential at higher concentrations
- High-dose or prolonged use may cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; not well-studied in pregnancy; potential interactions with cardiac glycosides due to Na+/K+-ATPase inhibition
What is it made of?
Key Active Markers
- Cyclotides
- Peptides
- Procyanidins
- Rutin
- Quercetin
- Flavonoids
- Saponins
- Tannins
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Syrup, Capsule, Gulkand-type preserve, Sherbet
Standard Dosage: 3-5 g powder twice daily; 50-100 mL decoction twice daily; 15-30 mL syrup twice daily
Optimal Timing: Morning and evening for respiratory conditions; at bedtime with warm milk for mild sedative/calming effect
Storage: Dried flowers in airtight, light-resistant containers at 15-25 deg C. Syrup in amber glass bottles. Protect from heat and humidity. Flower color fades on exposure to light.
Marker Compounds: Rutin, Quercetin, Kaempferol, Violin (cyclotide), Methyl salicylate, Violine, Odoratine, Mucilage polysaccharides
Synergistic Combinations
- Yashtimadhu (licorice) - respiratory demulcent synergy
- Unnab (Ziziphus jujuba) - classical Unani-Ayurvedic cough formula
- Gaozaban (Borago officinalis) - cooling and respiratory combination
- Khatmi (Althaea officinalis) - mucilaginous respiratory synergy
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Randomised controlled trials2
- 2024. Effects of Viola odorata syrup on sleep quality in menopausal women: a randomized, triple-blind, controlled trialSleep & breathing = Schlaf & Atmung. PMID 38177831 · doi:10.1007/s11325-023-02979-x
- 2023. Efficacy and safety of add-on Viola odorata L. in the treatment of COVID-19: A randomized double-blind controlled trialJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 36535329 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2022.116058
Other clinical studies and reviews4
- 2026. Sweet Violet (Viola odorata L.): Botanical, Horticultural, Pharmacological, and Economic AspectsPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 42796779 · doi:10.3390/plants15182747
- 2023. A Systematic Review of Phytochemistry, Nutritional Composition, and Pharmacologic Application of Species of the Genus Viola in Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. PMID 37941895 · doi:10.1155/2023/5406039
- 2020. An overview of acyclotides: Past, present and futurePhytochemistry. PMID 31812106 · doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2019.112215
- 2017. A Critical Review on Phytochemistry, Pharmacology of Viola odorata L. and Related Multipotential Products in Traditional Persian MedicinePhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 28948657 · doi:10.1002/ptr.5909
Laboratory and animal studies6
- 2025. Anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic assessment of flavonoids isolated from Viola odorata flowers with computer-guided docking studyScientific reports. PMID 40968164 · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-19442-4
- 2023. Commercially Available Viola odorata Oil, Chemical Variability and Antimicrobial ActivityMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36838663 · doi:10.3390/molecules28041676
- 2023. Detection of Coumarin Derivatives of Viola odorata Cultivated in IraqJournal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences. PMID 37694059 · doi:10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_270_23
- 2023. Nematicidal Activity of Cyclotides: Toxicity Against Caenorhabditis elegansJournal of natural products. PMID 37099442 · doi:10.1021/acs.jnatprod.2c01124
- 2023. Diversity analysis of endophytes with antimicrobial and antioxidant potential from Viola odorata: an endemic plant species of the HimalayasBrazilian journal of microbiology : [publication of the Brazilian Society for Microbiology]. PMID 37227628 · doi:10.1007/s42770-023-01010-5
- 2022. Procyanidin C1 from Viola odorata L. inhibits Na(+),K(+)-ATPaseScientific reports. PMID 35487935 · doi:10.1038/s41598-022-11086-y
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
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