Johnny Jump Up Flower - Medicinal Use

What Is It

The Viola tricolor, or Johnny Jump Up Flower, is a wildflower from Europe that is popular among gardeners in North America. The beautiful purple, white and yellow flowers are a favorite among novice gardeners because they are easy to grow and once planted, they are self fertile and easy to maintain. The Johnny Jump Up Flower prefers cool or at least warm (not too hot) weather and is best planted early in the season as it takes a while to

The Johnny Jump Up Flower is widely known as a medicinal herb. In some places, it has been used for treating skin conditions and epilepsy. However, the plant really shines as a remedy for respiratory illnesses like asthma, bronchitis and whooping cough. Its extracts have antibacterial and antifungal properties, and its flowers are both edible and nutritious.

Warning! The Johnny Jump Up Flower can be toxic in large doses and may cause nausea and vomiting. Use as directed. 

How Does the Johnny Jump Up Flower Treat Skin and Respiratory Conditions?

There are several chemicals in the Johnny Jump Up flower that make it a valuable medicinal herb. It contains saponins, which are anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial. Saponins also help to stop coughs and have immune boosting properties. Plants like Johnny Jump Up that have this chemical can, therefore, be used to both prevent and treat colds and respiratory infections.

The plant also contains mucilages which forms a protective film that relieves irritation of the mucus membranes. This is helpful in relieving respiratory illnesses and stomach problems as well.

With proper use, the Johnny Jump Up Flower is safe for children and adults to use for the purposes of preventing colds and for treating flareups of chronic illnesses like asthma, bronchitis and eczema. It is effective as a tea for both internal and external use. Powders made with the plant are also effective in ointments used to treat wounds.

Medicinal Dosage

Most preparations of the Johnny Jump Up Flower call for either one teaspoon to two teaspoons of the dried herb or two to four teaspoons fresh. Using more than the recommended amount can cause upset stomach and can worsen skin conditions, so be careful not to overdo it.

Tea

A tea made from the Johnny Jump Up Flower can either be made as a regular infusion using boiling water or a cold infusion. For a regular infusion, pour a cup of boiling water over one teaspoon of the dried herb or two teaspoons of the fresh herb. Cover the cup and let it sit for five to fifteen minutes. Strain the infusion, then drink. For respiratory problems, you can add honey to enhance both the flavor and the effectiveness.

A cold infusion can be made by pouring one cup of cold water over one to two teaspoons of the herb. Cover the herb and let the cup sit overnight for eight to twelve hours. Strain it and heat it carefully before drinking.

When using it for skin conditions, you can use the tea made from the Johnny Jump Up Flower for washing and bathing. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it ideal for soothing the symptoms of both eczema and psoriasis. The tea is also gentle enough to be used for baby skin conditions such as cradle cap.

Poultice

For use in treating wounds and sores, use the powdered herb mixed with water to make a poultice. You can also mix a little honey with this for use in treating old wounds. The anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties of both Johnny Jump Up Flower and the honey will help prevent infection at the site and speed healing.

Caution: Prolonged use of Johnny Jump Up Flower may worsen skin conditions. Stop using if condition has not improved within one to two weeks.

Additional Uses

Many people enjoy the Johnny Jump Up Flower as a colorful garnish in salads. However, they may not realize that the flower is rich in beta carotene, which is the pigment that gives it its yellow color. Beta carotene in the diet helps to prevent cancer and is good for the eyes. It also helps to decrease the symptoms of asthma brought on by exercise. The Johnny Jump Up Flower along with other components of a healthy diet is, therefore, good for both treating and preventing many diseases.

Dosage Chart

Amount to Use	How to Use	Notes
One to two teaspoons of dried herb	Externally or internally in tea	Can be prepared as an infusion or cold infusion; use internally or externally.
Two to Four teaspoons of fresh herb	Externally or internally in tea.	Infusion or cold infusion
Powdered herb	Poultice for wounds	Make a paste using water and honey.