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Botanical/Scientific Name: Viola sororia, Viola ordorata and other species (spp.)
Family: Viol-aceae
Parts Used: Leaves and Flowers are both edible/medicinal
Violets are one of our family's favorite flowers. Often poking up out of the soil around the same time as the Dandelions, Violets offer a variety of food and medicinal uses.
The leaves and flowers of this plant are edible and quite delicious added to a salad or included in some fresh rice wraps. They have a pleasant, mild flavor and are a rich source of Vitamin C and various minerals. Violets are also a favorite forage source for wild animals and livestock too.
Energetically violets are cool and moistening (demulcent) to the body and are known to provide benefit to inflamed tissues, sore throats, dry coughs and swollen lymph glands.
Supports The Lymphatic System
Our lymphatic system is kind of like our bodies 'sewage system'. It supports the immune system and its responsible for optimal functioning of our immune responses.
The lymphatic system is a circulation system made up of lymph vessels, which you can kind of think of as the blood vessels of this system. It drains extra fluid (called lymph) that has travelled out of the blood and into tissues and returns it back to the blood. The lymphatic system also includes tissues and organs that produce, store and release lymphocytes (a form of white blood cell).
These tissues and organs protect the lymph from germs, foreign substances, cells that aren't functioning properly and removes waste products and bacteria.
The lymphatic system includes the tonsils, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes and lymph vessels and is an important part of the immune system that helps protect and defend the body against diseases and illnesses. It also helps maintain blood pressure and helps to transport some hormones , nutrients and waste products.
Violets are well known for their gentle but effective lymph-moving and anti-inflammatory actions. They help break down hardened cysts below the skins surface, especially those that linger, and are often used externally as a topical aid for dissolving fatty cysts and fibrotic breast tissue.
A massage oil made with Violets and the added anti-inflammatory, lymph-moving benefits of Dandelion flower and Red Clover is nourishing to the skin and can be rubbed on armpits, stomach, breasts or anywhere there are lymphatic glands and used as a daily preventative & to promote healthy lymphatic flow.
Violets For Dry Constitutions
Because of their cooling and demulcent properties, Violets can be a great alternative for those who may be sensitive (these individuals generally run on the dry side) to diuretic herbs like Nettle, Dandelion and Parsley.
Violets For Dry, Irritated & Inflamed Skin
Violet leaves are perfect for those who generally run on the dry-side. If you notice you tend to have a lot of inflammation and dryness, sipping on Violet tea regularly can relieve dryness and soothes inflamed tissues. It's commonly used externally for dry and inflamed skin rashes and dry and painful joints, as in cases with arthritis due to its soothing, cooling, moistening, demulcent and anti-inflammatory properties.
Soothing Dry Coughs & Sore throats
If you come across a well-established violet patch, take a moment to nibble on the leaves and you’ll know exactly why these cool, moistening flowers and leaves are a perfect remedy for dry cough & sore throat conditions. The same cooling, demulcent properties that soothe the skin are also soothing to our internal mucous membranes. One double-blind clinical trial with children between the ages of 2-12 years found that Violet Syrup provided relief for coughs associated with intermittent asthma. (1)
Supports Circulatory Health and Adds a Boost of Nutrition To A Balanced Diet
Violet leaves and flowers are perfect to add as an additional boost to meals. They are high in rutin, which is an antioxidant known to support heart health. It does this by improving blood vessel flexibility, helping to reduce cholesterol and preventing clot formation.
They are a delicious addition to salads and other meals featuring fresh raw veggies, giving a nice pop of color to dishes and beverages. Violets are high in Vitamin C and offer a good source of a variety of minerals.
Special Considerations:
Violets are generally regarded as safe for everyone and can be consumed like a food. Some violets have high levels of saponins, a naturally occurring plant compound also
found in onions, garlic, sunflowers, tomatoes and potatoes, which may make sensitive
individuals nauseous. Try in small amounts at first and see how your body responds.
**Note: African Violets are not from the same genus and cannot be used interchangeably with Viola species.
Violet Leaves & Flowers
Internal Use Preparations: Food, Teas, Violet Syrup - which
can be added to club soda, used to sweeten tea or made into a delicious cocktail
External Uses: Infused oil, Salves, Soap Bars, Creams
and Lotions
Where to Find It: Violets love to grow in cool, moist areas with partial shade. The
leaves are often shaped like a heart and the flowers have five petals. Violets do have
some look-alikes, so proper identification is very important.
Learn How To Make Your Own Simple Violet Syrup!
You will need:
1 fresh cup of violet flowers
1 cup of just boiled water
Equal parts sweetener of choice (Sugar, Honey etc.)
A few drops of lemon juice
1. Boil your water and pour it over the violets. Let it sit for 30 minutes or until the color is removed from the violets and they turn pale.
2. Strain the liquid and put the violets into the compost.
3. Add a few drops of lemon juice. Try a couple drops at a time until you've achieved your desired color. Stir.
4. Add your sweetener. You can use equal parts sweetener to liquid. Use within 1 month. You can use less sweetener if you'd like but it will lower the shelf life. Use within 1 week, if using less sweetener. Discard if you notice mold.
5. Bottle and store in the fridge.
Making Violet Syrup:
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Resources referenced:
1. Mohammed Javad Qasemzadeh et al., “The Effect of Viola odorata Flower Syrup on the Cough of Children with Asthma: A Double-Blind, Randomized Control Trial,” Journal of Evidenced-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine. 20, no.4 (2015), doi:10.1177/2156587215584862.
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