pensée sauvage


 The wild pansy - Etymology :


Usual name = Wild pansy,
Tri-colored violet, Herb of the trinity : It grows on sandy grounds at the edge of wood, fields, dunes and wild places.

Botanical name = Viola tricolor L :
From Latin, viola : violet (its cousin) and tricolor : 3 colors



Mythology and History :


The wild pansy is a harbinger of spring with its beautiful colors. The ancients considered it as a sacred flower. They called it the trinity herb surely because of its 3 colors and also because of its very particular fruits. These seeds are enclosed in small cases which open in three parts and are connected in the center at maturity. In language of flowers, it is called "grass of the thought" because it is the emblem of the memory.


Its therapeutic use is mentioned in several treaties of herbal medicine. In the XVIth century, the herbalists recommended it in particular to treat certain pulmonary infections and skin problems. It was necessary to wait the XIXth century to have the scientific evidence of its effectiveness.



Botanical Description :


The wild pansy is part of the family of violaceae. It is a very beautiful plant, delicate and coloured which can be annual, biennial and perennial. It is of a height from 10 to 25 cm with branched stem with a bloom of February to September. The inferior leaves are rounded, the superior leaves are lengthened and toothed. The flowers are isolated on long peduncles, the corolla is white cream, yellow or purple and often tricolored.



Properties & Virtues :


Traditionally, the wild pansy is the flower of the problems of skins in herb trade. The wild pansy stimulates the functions of elimination and facilitates the drainage of waste and toxins from the body. Its anti inflammatory action relieves skin irritations. The wild pansy purifies the complexion and attenuates the problems of skins



Composition :


This plant contains mucilages. These are polysaccharides, components that turn into gel when in contact with water, which reduce irritation. It also contains essential oils with phenolic acids including salicylic acid which gives it its draining and anti-inflammatory properties. It has flavonoids and alkaloids, including violet, but also tannins that strengthen the resistance of blood vessels contributing to improve the complexion. It contains saponins which are "foaming" molecules that facilitate the penetration of substances. And finally, it contains vitamin E which is a very good antioxidant.



The Wild Pansy and Beauty Garden :


In Auriac, the blooming of the wild pansy is the sign of the beginning of spring and the harvest season. Its delicate flower sometimes pierces the snow. We harvest the whole plant and place it delicately in the dryer. Its blooming stops at the strong heats to start again at the end of September.


To take advantage of its benefits recognized by traditional herbal medicine, such as its detoxifying effect on the skin, wild pansy is at the heart of the organic formula of the detoxifying organic fluid with wild pansy for a radiant complexion, in the organic cleansing balm with wild pansy for a gentle elimination of impurities and, of course, in the detoxifying organic herbal tea to help eliminate toxins.


huile pour le corps à la reine des prés



Bibliography :

Les Remèdes De Santé D’hildegarde De Bingen. (2013). Marabout.


C., D. M. (2022). Histoire universelle du regne végétal, ou, Nouveau dictionnaire physique & œconomique de toutes les plantes qui

      croissent sur la surface du globe 1773 [Leather Bound]. Generic.

Mulot, M. (2015). Secrets d’une herboriste : La bible des plantes. DAUPHIN.

Thévenin, T. (2012). Les plantes sauvages : Connaitre, cueillir et utiliser. Lucien Souny.

Chevallier, A. (2017). Larousse des plantes médicinales : Identification, préparation, soins - 500 plantes décrites - 1000

     photographies. LAROUSSE.

Barrau, V. & Fourié, Y. (s. d.). l’herbier d’une vie. Plume de carotte.

Lieutaghi, P. (2005). Le Livre des bonnes herbes ; Le Livre des Arbres, Arbustes et Arbrisseaux : Coffret en 2 volumes. Actes Sud.