* Seeds considered purgative and diuretic.
* Flowers considered diuretic, expectorant, purgative.
Sweet Violet is considered a safe herb with no contraindications.
==Constituents==
Mucilages, cyclotides, malic and ferulic acid, saponins, phytosterols (β-sitosterol), salicylic acid (traces), anthocyanosides, flavonoids (quercetine, violaquercitrin, violarutin or rutoside), coumarins (scopoletin), carotenoid pigments, alkaloids and essential oil ((-)-zingiberene, (+)-curcumene, dihydro-β-ionone, 2,6-nonadien-1-
al, undecan-2-one, isoborneol).
==Health Benefits and uses of Sweet Violet are==
Sweet violet has chemicals that help break up chest congestion by thinning mucous and making it easier to cough up.
* In herbal combinations, sweet violet is used for breathing problems including sudden (acute) and ongoing (chronic) bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, “dust-damaged” lungs, swelling (inflammation) of the respiratory tract, cold and flu symptoms, hoarseness, cough, and chest congestion. These herbal combinations are also used for involuntary urination (incontinence) in older people, bed-wetting, irritable bladder, and prostate conditions. Other uses include treating the inability to sleep (insomnia) and improving deep sleep.
* inflammation : Violet essential oil can be used with great effect on the body to deal with conditions caused by inflammation. Violet essential oil has anti-inflammatory compounds and many sufferers of rheumatism and arthritis have found it to be an effective remedy when massaged into their painful muscles and joints. Violet essential oil can also help stimulate circulation of blood to the muscles. If you are going to massage your body with violet essential oil it is important to remember that it must be diluted first with a suitable carrier oil. When it comes to essential oils, a little goes a very long way so be sure that you follow the recommended instructions for dilution.
* Heart health : Another name for violet is hearts-ease. It has been used for the physical and emotional heart for thousands of years. Violet is high in a constituent called rutin. Rutin strengthens capillaries, prevents platelet aggregation, and is anti-inflammatory. The alkaloids found in Sweet Violet have vasolidating effects, causing blood vessels to relax, allowing the blood to flow easier. This helps to decrease blood pressure, which is another well known contributory factor to heart disease.
* Headaches and stress : Violet essential oil has comforting and calming properties and can be used to help ease a number of conditions. It is said to be able to ease headaches and migraines as well as dizziness, anxiety and nervous exhaustion.
* Insomnia : Try diffusing violet essential oil near your bed at night; there is no guarantee that it will be effective but many people have reported success and unlike pharmaceutical drugs, there is no absolutely harm in trying.