In this regular series, Tracey Ryan, the master formulator behind Bia, enlightens us with her expert knowledge of the plant kingdom, and how herbs, roots and botanicals can benefit your skin.
- Ingredient name:
Heartsease, also called Wild Pansy or Johnny Jump Up
- Scientific plant name:
Viola tricolor
- Native to:
Heartsease is a very common European wildflower, which grows as an annual or short-lived perennial. It’s also found in western Asia and in the U.S.
- Key nutrients:
Heartsease contains flavonoids—such as rutin, quercetin, luteolin and luteolin 7-glucoside—that provide antioxidant protection from free radicals. It also contains polysaccharides, such as glucose, galactose and arabinose, that improve skin hydration. Heartsease’s phenolic acids play many important roles in the skin as well, such as working to reduce cellular DNA damage.
- Topical applications:
Heartsease has a long history of being used in herbal and folk medicine for skin issues like ulcers and rashes as well as eczema.Its polysaccharides are hydrating and boost the skin’s capacity to retain water by improving osmotic function. Its flavonoids contain high levels of antioxidants that fight against environment damage and can prevent the signs of aging.
- Little known facts:
Heartsease is a skin cleansing herb that’s been used for centuries in Europe. Legend has it that if a maiden drank heartsease tea every day for a month, her skin would be so beautiful that every man would fall instantly in love with her. Not exactly a modern fairy tale, but cheers to the dewy skin part!
- Where to find it:
