There is a small area of woodland near my house which is filled with violets at this time of year. If you stumble on them unawares they will quite take your breath away. Sometimes the smell is barely detectable but when the sun is shining and the breezes blow, it is utterly divine. I have harvested twice from this patch over the last couple of weeks in order to make an infused honey, an infused oil and a flower remedy. Coming home with a harvest of violet flowers is like carrying a bag of precious jewels, truly a privilege. Unless they continue to bloom so prolifically, I will seek another patch to harvest for a tincture as it’s so important to remember not to over harvest one area.
The sweet violet flowers we know and love are what is known in botany as chasmogamous flowers, those that display their stamens and style for insect pollination, but many species of viola also produce tiny self pollinating flowers later in the year which are known as cleistogamous. This means that we can be a bit freer with our harvest than we might otherwise be but we should still remember that insects need the flowers for an early source of nectar and therefore not take too many. Also, a beautiful patch of wild violets is enjoyed by many passers by and its not fair to strip it bare.
As a herbal remedy Violet is used most often for it’s soothing, demulcent properties found in the leaf and flower. Being cool and moist they are particularly good for conditions where there is heat such as inflammation and irritated coughs. Culpepper wrote, “A drachm weight of the dried leaves or flowers of Violets, but the leaves more strongly, doth purge the body of choleric humours and assuageth the heat if taken in a draught of wine or other drink.”
Three species are used medicinally, Viola odorata, V. tricolour (the wild pansy) and V. yezoensis (the chinese violet). The wild dog violet is one of the most common violets found in the UK but it lacks scent, unlike the odorata, though it is still mucilaginous.
Violets are also gently cleansing and decongestant and can be used safely for helping clear the chest and sinuses. Combined with their anti-inflammatory effects and their antioxidant content, this makes them particularly helpful for allergies. You can read Danielle’s fantastic post about treating seasonal allergies here.
They are also specific for a sluggish lymphatic system and make a very valuable spring tonic herb for getting everything moving again after a stagnant winter. This makes them helpful for breast swellings and mastitis and many sources recommend them for cancer treatment. Used as a poultice and taken internally as tea or tincture they were a traditional remedy for breast cancer. I think they resonate with this area of the body particularly as they are, to me, a remedy of the heart. It is with a slight sense of shame that I realise I left them out of my herbal hugs post back in January as they are certainly deeply comforting and loving in their energy. In fact Violets were used by the ancient Greeks in potions for love and fertility.
I also like to use violet as a skin remedy. Both the odorata and the tricolor, better known as heartsease, which flowers a little later, are very valuable in oils or washes for a variety of skin ailments. Their cooling, soothing and protective properties can be used on both dry and weeping eczema as well as acne and irritated, itchy skins. The leaves and flowers contain volatile oils and saponins both of which are extracted well in an infused oil which can then be made in to a lovely cream. I like mine combined with chickweed, speedwell or lavender infused oils depending on the person it is for. For acne treatment I would use it as a wash rather than an oil based preparation.
The flowers and leaves are a very gentle laxative and are often given to children in syrup form to ease their bowels. The root however is a strong laxative and purgative and in high doses will cause vomiting, so be wary.
Also be sure not to use the house plant, African violet, which is poisonous!
The flower remedy is a particularly special preparation which holds many great lessons for us. It is for those who have a very pure vision of the way they feel the world should be. It is a remedy of the imagination, for promoting and holding a clear and positive vision and returning us to a sense of child-like joy and wonder that can heal despondency and the fatigue caused by living in a challenging world. The sweet violet helps us stay centred in the place where love and imagination have the power to manifest physically and create a better world as a result.
The upper petals are open to give and receive but the perfect gold centre is protected, so the visions held cannot be compromised by the challenges of this world. The fine veins running through the petals are like nerves, indicating the extreme sensitivity of the violet personality. Their heads seem to hang heavy indicating how weighed down these folk can feel by the suffering they see around them. They grow close to the ground indicating how the remedy can help in grounding our dreaming into the here and now and stabilising us when times are tough. The large heart shaped leaves unfurl from the centre enabling us to open our hearts to all life’s experiences whilst remaining equanimous, grounded and free.
A perfect remedy for our troubled times, the violet is one of my favourite flowers.
It was truly a blessing to have such a bright sunny morning for making my flower essence. I’ve spoken to flower remedy makers who do theirs whatever the weather but I find there’s nothing like sunshine to result in a wonderfully energised remedy. You can read my post on how to make your own flower remedies here.
Violet infused honey is such a treat and you can leave the flowers in to add a decorative and delicious touch to your food. It has many of the same properties as the syrup but is simpler and better for those who seek the medicinal benefits of honey rather than using sugar. An added advantage is that you don’t have to heat the flowers or honey at all so none of the antioxidants or vital enzymes will be destroyed. I had thought I wouldn’t bother at all with a syrup this year but Sarah Head posted such an enticing recipe here which involves a magical colour change, so I might have to do a small batch after all!
To make the honey just fill a jar with violet flowers, cover with a reasonably runny raw honey and stir with a chop stick. let infuse for a fortnight or so and then enjoy. The flowers tend to float to the top so just turn the jar or give it a stir now and again to ensure everything is well mixed.
The violets have also been gracing my food regularly over the past couple of weeks and I find nothing more cheering than their beautiful colour mixed here with the leafy greens of my lunch which consisted of quinoa, walnuts. sunflower seeds, cleavers, tender new hawthorn leaves, viola flowers and lemon juice. It was a delight for all my senses.
Oh Lucinda, A truly lovely article. {hug!} Your photos traveled right into my core and touched my very spirit! Our violets haven’t yet bloomed and have only just begun their green trumpet like outings from the Earth. My heart had longed for violets first when we moved into this place, and there were none, so that was my first task. I had no inkling of Violet’s many gifts, only of her lymphatic properties. Oh, now I am even more in love.
Thank you!
xo
Carey
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What a tremendously beautiful article, Lucinda! I can’t agree with Carey more, that there was something in your words and the beautiful photos that really touched my heart and filled me with emotion. I have been vicariously enjoying spring a few weeks early through your photos and posts, and it is filling me with so much delightful anticipation for spring to come here.
I am always so inspired by all the many ways you bring the plants around you into your life and celebrate them. You have had such a tremendous influence on me in getting back to exploring and playing with the plants and re-instilling me with that excitement and curiosity I felt when I first began to study herbs.
A truly exceptional article, with much wonderful information, lots of inspiration and so much beauty and delight 🙂
XOXO D
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Hello Lovely Ladies,
Thanks so much for your beautiful comments. I think the violets have touched all our hearts this spring, I hope to hear what you do with yours when they come up!
So nice to hear they were among your first plantings Carey.
And Danielle, it’s such a wonderful compliment to hear I’ve inspired you in some small way, just as you continue to inspire me with all your thoughts and scrummy recipes.
Big hugs to you both,
Lucinda x
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I love violets… and the honey idea sounds marvelous. I’ve planted a variety of violets in my garden so would like to give it a try…
But I don’t know whether it is the right variety… I think it is a decorative variety… is it OK to give it a try or should I only use one of the three varieties you mention?
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Hi Thomas,
i think all the violas and pansies are edible but I don’t think they would be as potent medicinally or have quite the same ‘palma-violet’ flavour. They would still look beautiful in the honey though and I’m sure would have some of the benefits.
The three I mentioned are those traditionally used in medicine but garden varieties are often added to salads and things. Just stay away from those poisonous African violets!
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I love this post. I feel very drawn to violet, though I have almost never seen it in the wild. And now I suspect I won’t see it at all since I’ve recently moved to the city.
I miss nature so much. And it’s even illegal to pick herbs in the parks here.
I feel a lot like the violet personality. What a beautiful little flower. In Norway some people call it “night and day”. Where I grew up we called it “stepmother’s flower” and there was a whole story to that name. But I won’t go into that here 🙂
Thanks again for a beautiful post and blog!
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Oh I love the name ‘night and day’ and am intrigued by the story behind ‘stepmother’s flower’!
It’s tough being in the city isn’t it, perhaps you could plant some violets somewhere?
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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This is a truly glorious article, Lucinda, thank you so much for sharing it! I noticed today there is another crop of violets on the patch in my garden where I harvested two weeks ago for the syrup, so I may well be trying the honey tomorrow!. I might make a flower essence next weekend if we go to the farm again.
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And I shall be making your beautiful syrup next week too!
I’m so glad you chose violets as your ally as its been great reading your lovely posts.
xx
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Beautiful, beautiful photos, I almost cracked open the bottle of violet lemonade I brought back from France last year so I could benefit from the violet delights! I would so love to make a violet flower essence or the syrup but last year I got about 10 flowers from my violets, this year there seems to be none 😦 So it’s going to take years until I have enough to make anything substantial, so do keep us posted!
Herby hugs – Debs xxx
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i am looking for chinese violet essences any help or info?
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Sorry Jill, I have never used or made it myself. Good luck finding what you are looking for.
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Mid winter in Salzburg, Austria.
Intuition told me to look up violets and I came upon your web site. Your words touched me, as did your wonderful pictures. I have imprinted the pictres in my mind and heart and am letting them work. Thank you!
Nick Offner Greenwood
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Brilliant post! I really like the idea of the violet infused honey, that would do you good just by looking at it. So many uses for such a small treasure.
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Hello, I have just meditated on the flower I need at the moment and the Violet came up loud and clear. I am so grateful for this beautiful post. Unfortunately, it’s the wrong time of year for me to harvest the flowers so I will look online and see if I can buy an essence. Thank you. Suzanne the Storyweaver
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Hi,
We live in the Los Angeles area and have no idea where to harvest violets. Any suggestions?
Laurel
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Hi Laurel, I am in the UK and don’t really know much about where you live but violets favour shady woodland areas and dislike full sun. Have a look for local herbalists or wild food guide books and they should be able to point you in the right direction. Good luck!
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Absolutely love your article, I have violets growing in the woods but never knew I could harvest for food, tea, etc. Upon reading your article I was inspired to harvest some this spring (but it is not yet spring here). In reading the above post I was a little taken back that there are some poisonous varieties. I am not a botanist but I have recently learned a few plants such as nettle, etc. Now, I’m wondering if the violets in the woods are safe. I looked up pictures of African Violets and they do not look the same as the ones in the woods. So am I safe to assume that the wooded varieties are edible?
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Hi Colleen, Yes the African violets look very different, it would be pretty hard to mistake them. If you have a good plant id guide you can’t go too wrong with violets, the smell makes them easy to distinguish too. x
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[…] 🙂 – The photograph I borrowed comes from a delightful blog all about violets that you called: Violet Dreams at Whispering Earth ) […]
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Reblogged this on Sweet Gum Springs Apothecary and commented:
My favorite blog post on violet! Enjoy and try out that violet infused honey as well… Violet is another spring tonic herb for wellness and renewal!
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I love this post. Thanks for all the information x
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