Das Wilde Stiefmütterchen ist eine aufrechte, bis zu 30 cm hoch wachsende, ein- bis zweijährige Pflanze, die in zahlreichen Formen vorkommt. Die gestielten, 1 bis 2 cm großen Blüten sind entweder ganz gelb, gelb mit violett gefärbten oberen Blütenblättern oder dreifarbig, wobei die oberen meist violett, die unteren gelb-weiß gefärbt sind. Das Stiefmütterchen hilft gegen Husten, Probleme der Harnorgane, ein empfindliches Nervensystem und kann auch viele Hautbeschwerden lindern. Heartsease (Viola tricolor) is a common European wild flower, growing as an annual or short-lived perennial. Heartsease is a small plant of creeping habit, reaching at most 15 cm in height, with flowers about 1.5 cm in diameter. It grows in short grassland on farms and wasteland, chiefly on acid or neutral soils. It is usually found in partial shade. It flowers from April to September. The flowers can be purple, blue, yellow or white. They are hermaphrodite and self-fertile, pollinated by bees. As its name implies, Heartsease has a long history of use in herbalism. It has been recommended, among other uses, as a treatment for epilepsy, asthma, skin diseases and eczema. It has expectorant properties, and so has been used in the treatment of chest complaints such as bronchitis and whooping cough. It is also a diuretic, leading to its use in treating rheumatism and cystitis.
