Pansy – Viola tricolor
Botanical profile and effects
The wild pansy is one of the most beautiful wild plants. Viola tricolor grows in fields, meadows, and along roadsides. It displays the three colors yellow, white, and dark violet in various variations. Do you know the wonderful properties the plant can unfold for skin care? The iconic Weleda Skin Food contains four plant extracts: from calendula, chamomile, rosemary - and from pansy.
Occurrence
The wild pansy (Viola tricolor) is one of the most beautiful wild plants. It belongs to the violet family and is widespread in Europe, Asia, and North America. It prefers sunny to semi-shaded locations and grows in dry meadows, along roadsides, and in gardens. With only 3 to 40 centimeters in height, it is relatively small.
Flowers and leaves
The plant blooms from May to September. The flowers are usually strikingly three-colored, slightly asymmetrical, and resemble small faces, which has given the plant its charming name. Its three-colored flowers shine in yellow, white, and violet. What is special is that the three different colors (tricolor) appear in various variations. Often, the lowest petal is yellow, the two in the middle are white, and the two upper ones are dark violet. From the center of the flower, dark lines extend outward, creating an expressive pattern.
The leaves have a notched edge and, like the flowers, are rich in valuable ingredients. The lower leaves are rounded, heart-shaped, and hairless. Further up, the leaves are elongated. The stems grow upright-ascending and are usually branched.
Pansy Seeds
After the seeds ripen, the fruit capsule opens, and the seeds are presented completely openly. It looks as if they are lying in bowls. The seeds are small, pear-shaped, and light yellow.
Usage
The pansy is a traditional medicinal plant, especially known for its skin-friendly properties. Blooming pansy herb was used externally to soothe the skin.
Ingredients of the pansy
The flowers and leaves of the pansy are small and delicate. But they pack a punch: They contain a combination of flavonoids, mucilages, salicylic acid derivatives, tannins, and essential oils. These ingredients make the pansy a versatile medicinal plant. The flowers are often processed into extracts used in care products. Mucilages soothe the skin and provide it with moisture.
The formula of the original Weleda Skin Food is 100 years old! Since 1926, it has been caring for the skin with its unique combination of plant oils and extracts. Dry skin in particular, loves Skin Food. In all products of the Weleda Skin Food series, we use an extract from pansy and take advantage of its nourishing properties. It soothes the skin and provides it with moisture.
