Sweet Violet/Wild Violet

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http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Viola+odorata

 

Sweet Violet

Viola odorata - L.

 

 

 

 

Author

 

 

L.

 

 

Botanical references

 

 

17, 200

 

 

 

 

Family

 

 

Violaceae

 

 

Genus

 

 

Viola

 

 

 

 

Synonyms

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Known Hazards

 

 

None known

 

 

 

 

Range

 

 

Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to

N. Africa, W. Asia and Syria.

 

 

 

 

Habitat

 

 

Fields, hedgerows and woodlands, especially on calcareous

soils[7, 17, 31].

 

 

 

 

Edibility Rating

 

 

 

 

5 (1-5)

 

 

Medicinal Rating

 

 

 

3 (1-5)

 

 

 

 

Physical Characteristics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An evergreen Perennial growing to 0.1m by 0.45m.

 

 

 

 

It is hardy to zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf

all year, in flower from February to April, and the seeds ripen from April to

June. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are

pollinated by Bees, Cleistogomy (self-pollinating without flowers ever

opening). The plant is self-fertile.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and

requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline)

soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires

moist soil.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover;

Hedgerow; Cultivated Beds; North Wall In; East Wall In; South Wall In; West

Wall In;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers;

Leaves.

Edible Uses: Condiment;

Tea.

Young leaves and flower buds - raw or cooked[21, 85, 183]. Usually available

all through the winter[K]. The leaves have a very mild flavour, though they

soon become quite tough as they grow older. They make a very good salad, their

mild flavour enabling them to be used in bulk whilst other stronger-tasting

leaves can then be added to give more flavour[K]. When added to soup they

thicken it in much the same way as okra[62, 85, 159]. Also used as a flavouring

in puddings etc. A tea can be made from the leaves[85]. Flowers - raw. Used to

decorate salads and desserts[5, 9, 85]. A sweet mild flavour with a delicate

perfume, the flowers are an especially welcome decoration for the salad bowl

since they are available in late winter[K]. The flowers are also used fresh to

flavour and colour confectionery[238]. A soothing tea can be made from the

leaves and flowers[85, 183]. A leaf extract is used to flavour sweets, baked

goods and ice cream[183].

Medicinal Uses

Antiinflammatory;

Cancer;

Demulcent;

Diaphoretic;

Diuretic;

Emetic;

Emollient;

Expectorant;

Homeopathy;

Laxative;

Purgative.

Sweet violet has a long and proven history of folk use, especially in the

treatment of cancer and whooping cough[4, 165, 218]. It also contains salicylic

acid, which is used to make aspirin[244]. It is therefore effective in the treatment

of headaches, migraine and insomnia[244]. The whole plant is anti-inflammatory,

diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, and laxative[4, 7, 21, 46, 165].

It is taken internally in the treatment of bronchitis, respiratory catarrh,

coughs, asthma, and cancer of the breast, lungs or digestive tract[238].

Externally, it is used to treat mouth and throat infections[238]. The plant can

either be used fresh, or harvested when it comes into flower and then be dried

for later use[4]. The flowers are demulcent and emollient[240]. They are used

in the treatment of biliousness and lung troubles[240]. The petals are made

into a syrup and used in the treatment of infantile disorders[240]. The roots

is a much stronger expectorant than other parts of the plant but they also

contain the alkaloid violine which at higher doses is strongly emetic and

purgative[4, 244, 254]. They are gathered in the autumn and dried for later

use[7]. The seeds are diuretic and purgative. They have been used in the

treatment of urinary complaints are considered to be a good remedy for

gravel[4]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the whole fresh plant[4]. It is

considered useful in the treatment of spasmodic coughs and rheumatism of the

wrist[4]. An essential oil from the flowers is used in aromatherapy in the

treatment of bronchial complaints, exhaustion and skin complaints[238].

 

 

 

Radiating

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE & Truth

To ALL who share our circle, our

universe, our love, our trust.

May

I always be found worthy.

Gratitude

& Thankfulness to All of Us

aSoaringHawk

Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the

first or last time. Then your time on earth will be filled with joy &

glory.

Thank you for YOU!

[Guest guest]

:So bascially how do I use it?