Violet
The International Herb Association has chosen
Violet, Viola spp. as the herb of the year for 2022. Violet is also
known as Pansy, Heartsease, Johnny Jump-Up and other common names. I think this
is one of the funnest flowers in all the flower gardens I see because it is so
colorful and unique. What makes it even better is that it has such wonderful
medicinal properties.
Violets are early blooming flowers and often
follow the melting snow. You can see the leaves popping up from the soil in
early spring. The heart shaped leaves and the flowers are used as a pulmonary
aid and are used for rheumatism and skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis,
and acne. There is evidence that this herb has been used to treat cancer. Its
medicinal properties include mucilage, laxative, emetic (root), alterative, and
antiseptic.
We love it for its beauty, but if you want to
harvest the plant for medicinal use, cut the stems about a third of the way up
just before the blooms open or just after. Dry all the parts to use for making
tea, or it can be made into a tincture, extract, oil or ointment. The roots are
not used since they could cause vomiting but the plant parts above ground are
very safe.
Violet has been used as an herbal aid for
centuries. To treat insomnia Askham’s Herbal recommends making a tea of the
herb and soaking the feet in it. Then bind the herb to the temples when going
to bed.
When Napoleon went to Elba His last message to
his adherents was that he should return with Violets. Hence he was alluded to
and toasted by them in secret as Caporal Violette, and the Violet was adopted
as the emblem of the imperial Napoleonic party. (A Modern Herbal, Volume 2,
pg 835)
The older writers had great faith in Syrup of
Violets: ague, epilepsy, inflammation of the eyes, sleeplessness, pleurisy,
jaundice and quinsy are only a few of the ailments for which it was held
potent. Gerard says: ‘It has power to ease inflammation, roughness of the
throat and comforteth the heart, asuageth the pains of the head and causeth
sleep.’ (Ibid)
‘Sirrup
of Violets
(As
it appears in A Modern Herbal Volume 2, pg 835)
‘Take a quantity of
Blew Violets, clip off the whites and pound them well in a stone morter; then
take as much fair running water as will sufficiently moisten them and mix with
the Violets; strain them all; and to
every halfe pint of the liquor put one pound of the best loafe sugar; set it on
the fire, putting the sugar in as it melts, still stirring it; let it boyle but
once or twice att the most; then take it from the fire, and keep it to your use.
This is a dainty sirrup of Violets.’
