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Sweet violet

Viola odorata

Also calledBanafsha (India) · Banafsheh (Persian) · Violette odorante (French) · Wohlriechendes Veilchen, Duftveilchen (German) · Viola mammola (Italian)

The scented violet of European gardens and Persian medicine, where violet syrup and violet oil are classic 'cold and moist' remedies for coughs, fevers and sleeplessness. Small trials, mostly of intranasal violet oil or violet syrup, suggest some benefit for sleep quality and for cough in COVID-19, but the studies are few and of low quality.

What it is used for

Sleeplessness
Limited
A 2022 meta-analysis of five small studies (224 patients, mostly intranasal violet oil) found better overall sleep-quality scores than placebo (PSQI mean difference −4.67) and longer sleep, but no effect on time to fall asleep; heterogeneity was high and study quality poor. In a 2024 trial in 84 postmenopausal women, violet syrup lowered PSQI scores more than placebo (4.9 vs 8.1).^2,4
Cough
Limited
In a double-blind trial in 108 COVID-19 outpatients, violet syrup added to usual care reduced cough severity more than placebo syrup over 7 days. Persian medicine also rubs violet oil with wax on the chest for dry cough, and Unani and Ayurvedic practice applies it to the skin for dry cough.^3,5,6
Viral infections
Limited
In the same COVID-19 trial, muscle pain, headache and diarrhoea also eased more with violet syrup than with placebo; one small trial only.³
Hay fever and allergy
Limited
A trial of violet oil drops in the nose (38 vs 38 adults, two weeks) reported fewer allergic rhinitis symptoms than placebo, as summarised in a 2025 review.⁵
Headache
Traditional
Persian physicians rubbed violet oil on the head, soles and navel for headaches they judged 'hot' or caused by 'dryness'.^5,2
Constipation
Traditional
Persian medicine rubs violet oil on the abdomen for constipation it attributes to heat and dryness, and European folk use counts it a laxative.^5,1
Eczema and dermatitis
Traditional
Used in folk medicine for urticaria, eczema and allergic dermatitis; no trials found.¹
Fever
Traditional
Used as an antipyretic; Iran registers violet syrup as a traditional antipyretic and antitussive. A small trial of violet oil drops in children with febrile neutropenia has been done, but its results are not summarised in the sources read here.^1,3,5

How it is prepared

syrup

Dried flowers soaked in water for 6 hours, brought to the boil and filtered; brown sugar is added and the liquid concentrated, as for the Iranian Banafsheh syrup.

Mehraban 2023 (COVID-19 trial): 10 mL three times daily for 7 days, added to usual care; the authors cite a recommended 2–5 g dried flower per day. Menopausal sleep trial (2024): 5 mL twice daily for one month.

Cough · Sleeplessness

infused oil

Violet extract in sweet almond oil, dropped into the nostrils at night or rubbed on the head, chest or abdomen in Persian practice.

Feyzabadi trials (in the 2022 meta-analysis): 2–3 drops (about 33 mg each) intranasally each night for 4 weeks.

Sleeplessness · Cough · Constipation

Amounts are as recorded by the named source, not a recommendation.

Safety

Pregnancy: Insufficient data
Breastfeeding: Insufficient data
Children: Used on infants' skin in Persian medicine; a 2025 review found no serious adverse effects in studies but too little information to say whether skin application is safe.

Side effects

No serious adverse effects were reported in the small trials reviewed

Toxicity

No toxicity reported at the doses used in trials, though safety data are limited.

In the healing traditions

Traditional Persian medicine
Banafsheh
Considered cold and moist. Violet oil (in sweet almond oil) is rubbed on the head and soles or dropped into the nose for insomnia, which is attributed to 'dryness of the brain'. It is also used for teething pain, dry cough, headache, dry skin, constipation from heat and dryness and nappy rash. Violet syrup (Banafsheh syrup) is recommended for respiratory infections.
Aghili Khorasani; Nazem Jahan (as cited by Mohammadian-Dameski 2025)
Unani
Banafsha
Dermal application recommended for dry cough and lung inflammation.
European folk medicine
Violet / Veilchen
Sold in the Athenian agora and used in Greek medicine and garlands. From the 17th century made into juice, water, syrup, honey, oil and vinegar, and candied for confectionery. After falling out of use it was championed in the 19th century by Sebastian Kneipp.

Active compounds

cyclotides (e.g. cycloviolacin O2): ring-shaped peptides; antibacterial and membrane-disrupting in lab studies
mucilage: source of the demulcent and emollient use
salicylic acid and methyl salicylate: found in all parts except the rhizome
flavonoids (rutin) and anthocyanins: in the flowers
melatonin: trace amounts (about 1.1 ng/g) measured in a flower extract

History

Violets were sold in the Athenian agora and praised by Greek poets, were highly regarded in the Middle Ages, then fell out of use until the 19th century. Late in that century growers on the Côte d'Azur turned to V. odorata 'Victoria' for the perfume industry after disease struck Parma violets.

Sources

Reference, not prescription. Nothing here is medical advice. Herbs can interact with medicines and be dangerous in pregnancy; tell your doctor or pharmacist about anything you take.