Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Vanapsa

Viola odorata L.

Vanapsa (Viola odorata L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Violaceae family. Not in WHO monographs; recognized in Unani Pharmacopoeia (as Banafsha); listed in traditional Persian, European, and Indian medicine systems.

Key facts
Botanical nameViola odorata L.
FamilyViolaceae
OrderMalpighiales
Pharmacopoeia statusNot in WHO monographs; recognized in Unani Pharmacopoeia (as Banafsha); listed in traditional Persian, European, and Indian medicine systems
Taxon identifiersGBIF 5331181 · Wikidata Q108684 · NCBI Taxonomy 97441

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishVanapsa
Latin/BotanicalViola odorata L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

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?

  • Respiratory disorders and cough (Kasa-hara) - validated through confirmed expectorant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties
  • Antipyretic (Jvarahara) - confirmed diaphoretic and antipyretic activities in pharmacological studies
  • Skin health and complexion (Varnya) - traditional use in face preparations supported by anti-inflammatory and antioxidant data
  • Sleep aid and anxiolytic (Nidrajanana) - traditional sedative use partially supported by flavonoid-mediated CNS-calming effects

What do recent clinical trials show?

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

Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

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

Bioavailability: Violin (cyclotide) is a peptide with poor oral bioavailability due to enzymatic degradation in GI tract, though cyclotides have unusual protease resistance due to cyclic backbone. Rutin and other flavonoids have moderate bioavailability (15-25%) improved by gut microbiota deglycosylation. Salicylic acid derivatives (methyl salicylate from leaves) have high oral bioavailability (~70-80%). Mucilage provides local demulcent action without systemic absorption.

Optimal Timing: Morning and evening for respiratory conditions; at bedtime with warm milk for mild sedative/calming effect

Standardized Extract: Hydroethanolic extract standardized to >1.5% rutin by HPLC; mucilage content >8% by gravimetric method; total flavonoids >3% (as rutin equivalent)

Shelf Life: Dried flowers: 6-12 months; Powder: 12 months; Syrup: 12-18 months; Capsules: 24 months; Flower preserve: 18 months

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

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous decoction
  • Hydroethanolic extraction (40-60% ethanol)
  • Cold maceration for mucilage-rich preparations
  • Steam distillation for essential oil (low yield)
  • Sugar-preservation for Gulkand-type preparations

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.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses2

  1. Huang S, Huang Q, Zhou Z and others. 2022. The Efficacy of V. odorata Extract in the Treatment of Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisFrontiers in neurology. PMID 35734476 · doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.730311
  2. Rashidipour M, Shakib P, Goudarzi G and others. 2022. Native Iranian Medicinal Plants with Anti-Vaginal Infection Properties: A Systematic ReviewInfectious disorders drug targets. PMID 35490427 · doi:10.2174/1871526522666220501171551

Other clinical studies and reviews3

  1. 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
  2. Safdari MR, Shakeri F, Mohammadi A and others. 2021. Role of Herbal Medicines in the Management of Brain InjuryAdvances in experimental medicine and biology. PMID 34981485 · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-73234-9_19
  3. Tammineni R, Gulati P, Kumar S and others. 2020. An overview of acyclotides: Past, present and futurePhytochemistry. PMID 31812106 · doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2019.112215

Laboratory and animal studies7

  1. El-Feky AM, El-Rashedy AA. 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
  2. Orchard A, Moosa T, Motala N and others. 2023. Commercially Available Viola odorata Oil, Chemical Variability and Antimicrobial ActivityMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36838663 · doi:10.3390/molecules28041676
  3. Ali ZA, Saleh I, Alani WM. 2023. Detection of Coumarin Derivatives of Viola odorata Cultivated in IraqJournal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences. PMID 37694059 · doi:10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_270_23
  4. Heger T, Zatloukal M, Kubala M and others. 2022. Procyanidin C1 from Viola odorata L. inhibits Na(+),K(+)-ATPaseScientific reports. PMID 35487935 · doi:10.1038/s41598-022-11086-y
  5. Baz MM, Selim A, Radwan IT and others. 2022. Larvicidal and adulticidal effects of some Egyptian oils against Culex pipiensScientific reports. PMID 35292687 · doi:10.1038/s41598-022-08223-y
  6. Jamshed H, Siddiqi HS, Gilani AU and others. 2019. Studies on antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and vasculoprotective potential of Viola odorata and Wrightia tinctoriaPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 31209953 · doi:10.1002/ptr.6411
  7. Parsley NC, Kirkpatrick CL, Crittenden CM and others. 2018. PepSAVI-MS reveals anticancer and antifungal cycloviolacins in Viola odorataPhytochemistry. PMID 29734037 · doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2018.04.014

Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.