SWEET VIOLET – THE VIRTUES OF HUMILITY AND MODESTY
AS SENSIBLE, GENTLE AND MODEST AS THE VIOLET, THANKS TO ITS SOFT, SWEET AND SUBTLE, AS IS THE FRAGRANCE OF “THE FLOWER OF HUMILITY”
The spring season begins when we see the first delicate Violets down in a green shady beds bloom peak her blushing head above ground with its mysterious and fleeting beauty.
Multiple species of Violets grace the slope of our abundance... Her heart shaped leaves come first, alongside the clover and wild onion shoots. And soon to follow are the blooms, creating a carpet of purple growing most everywhere the sun shines its warming spring rays, and in light shade. The violets call me into a spring euphoria. The kind that makes one lie in the grass basking in the glory of nature as it comes back to life after a long winter sleep.
HISTORY OF VIOLET
Originally from ancient Greece, however found its heyday in France and Italy, where tanks to his intense sweet aroma perfumes were created.
According to Levende, this enigmatic and discreet beauty was born from Zeus, in honour of the nymph Io.
The fragrance of Violet blossoms is a subtle and ephemeral scent but precious none the less. You may have heard that Violets steal your sense of smell, and the truth of this is part of the magic of Violet. The first breath of the Violet scent, will come and go. This fleeting aroma of an elusive kind is due to a compound in the Viola species, ionone – thanks to the Nymph Io. Once enters your olfactory glands and binds to your smell receptors temporarily stalling them until moments pass, and you are gifted with the aroma once more. On a therapeutic level is used as a remedy for cough, throat inflammation, as well as all types of infections and oropharyngeal ulceration. Also if we use in poultice relieves neck pain.
Its elemental acts on the heart region, opening it to the whisper of affection and tenderness, as well as enhances both the feminine and masculine within. By the ancient tales placing a petal on the forehead (brow height), it will open the powers of clairvoyance and apprehension, while bring great balance to the psyche.
FORAGED BEAUTY
Plucking a wildly foraged violet flower here and a violet flower there to pop onto our tongue is instantly soothing. Violet leaves and flowers are highly nutritious, eating them. THE BOTANICAL FOOD TREND IS to make sure to collect them with due diligence. Harvesting with care from a non contaminated area, far away from weedkillers in use will provide vitamins and minerals that our bodies will surely appreciate at this times when spring brings the force of life. Upon consuming the moistening properties of Violet her affirmation is cherished. The leaves and flowers alike contain mucilage, an amalgamation of slippery heteropolysaccharides that physically soothes irritation and cools bodily heat.
The moistening and cooling tendencies of Violet lend themselves well to any dry tissues that need calming hydration.
The many species of Viola range in colour and leaf appearance, but the flower itself is always the distinct Violet shape. Bird’s Foot Violet (Viola Pedata) has readily recognisable Violet flowers but the leaves are not your typical serrated heart shape, they are a deeply lobed leaf resembling (you guessed it) a bird’s foot. The canadensis varity has white flowers with larger more elongated leaves, while the Viola tricolor, is commonly known as Heartsease and has a flower of three different colors. What all Viola species do have in similarity is that there leaves, and flowers are edible (some species taste better than others) and make good medicine that can be used interchangeably throughout the species.
RESPIRATORY CARE
You can consider Violet when your throat is grubby and irritated, especially with an exasperating cough with stuck phlegm. Throughout the respiratory system Violet will silence the stubborn tissues, moisten any congested catarrh. Preferably an infusion will be used in these cases, allowing the water to assist in moistening. But one could also chew the leaves and flowers themselves and reap the bountiful benefits.
If one is constitutionally dry, with a lack of bowel flow, Violet will be able to assist in hydrating the digestive tissues. In the intestines, the tissues will be moistened as well as the contents themselves, giving it the leaf and flower of the Viola species a mild laxative quality. The root and seeds, on the other hand are strongly emetic. Lucky for us the seeds of the Violet are not found in the flower many have come to know and love, but an inconspicuous pale green, seed bearing inflorescence that arises in late summer.
LYMPHATIC CARE
No surprise that Violet’s magic works on the lymphatic system. When there is a lack of flow in the system, Violet is a viable option to increase overall fluid movement. A traditional remedy for swollen lymph glands will aid by gently increasing flow and decreasing inflammation.
TO THE MUMS & BUBS
The use of Violet to cool tissue irritation and inflammation extends itself well to topical applications. The mucilage will coat and sooth tissues that are red, swollen, inflamed or just plain dry. For the mammas out there, who have experienced the painful condition of sore nipples from breast feeding, Violet infused oil works remarkably well. Violet oil or an infusion-soaked rag can sooth diaper rashes and cradle cap and is safe for application on the wee ones. Violet is one of my favorite poultices for the pesky sting of the Nettle plant, just chew the leaf or flower and apply to the angered tissue, soon you will find the pain diminishing not to return. Insect’s stings and bites will also benefit from this medicine.
SOFT VIOLET FOR THE MIND
Violet’s physiologically actions are mild but pronounced. They do not create a whirlwind of flashy affects. Violets are more so gently nourish and sooth your body and tissues into a more balanced being. This same can be said of the emotional attributes of Violet on one’s mental state. Upon partaking in Violet’s medicine, you will notice a subtle shift of the mind, an ease of the worries floating through your consciousness, a release of mental tension that clouds your thoughts. Violet’s sooth anxiety, and the restlessness that goes along with it. The cooling tendencies of Violet lend well to reducing stuck anger that is not serving oneself. Violet will bring you into a more peaceful place and allowing for a release of negative emotions. This can be helpful in cases of insomnia, especially where one’s mind is racing with circular thoughts.
HERBAL REMEDY
Before you ever put a wild plant into your body, you should be sure of what it is you are picking and more forward with the appropriate amount of consideration. An important note, African Violets (Saintpaulia spp.) are not in the Viola genera, are not true violets. It contains a high level of toxicity so do not eat them mistaking them for such.
I have long desired a violet covered yard, and while they are prolific in my most recent residence regrettably not all violets species are blessed with such abundance. So, take care to ensure the species you find are not of the rare or endangered kind and you always act on them with tender loving care.
CULINARY EDIBLE GARDEN
As our family’s love all edible plants can not miss to mention about their use on your plate. If you do find yourself in a abundant patch of Violets, and are so inclined to do so, eat them! Toss them in salads, put them in your pesto blend, or just lay about in your yard popping them into your mouth. Also, drink them; nourishing violet infusions are wonderful, you can dice up some flowers and leaves, pour boiling water over and ta-da Violet tea. I prefer a freshly dried violet infusion, as the color and flavor are much more pronounced, but fresh works just fine. Make a fresh violet maceration by covering them in alcohol and you will have a tincture to last for years. Or you can make Violet syrup, a remedy that has been used throughout the ages and will not disappoint.
VIOLET TEA RECIPE
Harvest Violet flowers of the violet hue (Viola odorata, V. sororia) when they are at their peak of color and condition. Preferable on a sunny, dry day reducing any unwanted moisture and ensuring you are getting the best of the purple coloring. Only pick the flower itself, leaving any calyx or green parts behind. If you have a large patch of Violets, you should be able to run your hand underneath the flowers gently pulling up between loosely clenched fingers. This will leave behind the majority of the green and you can garble the rest of the green parts after harvest. Once you have a few compact cups (approx. 3 cups) worth, place them in a mason jar.
Get some water boiling and pour a few cups worth over the flowers. If the water does not cover the flowers press them down or place a weight on top to keep them submerged. Cover the mason jar and steep for a couple hours. Once done, strain the infusion. You should be left with a violet colored tea.
WIL D VIOLET INFUSION
Get a double boiler rolling, or if you do not have one place a bowl atop of a pot with water in it. Once there is adequate heat add 2 cups of the wild violet infusion and 2 cups of your choice of sugar (1:1). We use maple syrup and works just beautifully. Slowly melt the sugar until it has sufficiently dissolved, stirring often. Once done pour off Violet syrup into a glass bottle and marvel at your beautiful creation, that color! This will keep in the fridge for up to six months.
You can put Violet syrup in fuzzy water on a hot day or add it to your M(C)ocktails when you want something fancy. Have fun with your plant creation and experiment in any way you see fit.
FASCINATING FACTS
To conclude this beauty an interesting note, that Violet infusion was the original litmus test for pH. If you add an acidifying agent to the preparation it will turn magenta, if you add something base it will turn green! Nature never ceases to amaze.
Take two cups of the infusion and set aside. You may drink any remaining liquid.
Voila Viola!
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