Viola (Zihuadiding)

Pharmaceutical Name : Herba violae

Botanical Name : 1. Viola yedoensis Mak.; 2. Viola prionantha Bge.; 3. Viola patrini DC.

Common Name : Viola herb, Yedoens violet

Source of Earliest Record : Bencao Gangmu

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The entire plant is gathered in summer, cleaned in water, dried in the sun and cut into pieces.

Properties & Taste: Bitter, pungent and cold

Meridians: Heart and liver

Functions: To clear heat and release toxins

Indications & Combinations:

1. Boils, carbuncles and furuncles. Viola (Zihuadiding) is used with Dandelion herb (Pugongying), Wild chrysanthemum flower (Yejuhua) and Honeysuckle flower (Jinyinhua).

2. Snake bite. The juice of the fresh herb is taken orally and externally.

Dosage: 10-16 g

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb is contraindicated in cases with deficient cold syndrome.