Botanical Name – Viola odorata
Family: Violaceae
Energetics: cool, moist, relaxant
Taste: sweet, vegetal
Parts used: leaves and flowers
Affinities: lymphatic, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems
Actions: demulcent, emollient, lymphatic, antispasmodic, sedative, hypotensive, nervine, mild laxative
Preparations: tea/ decoction, honey infusion, tincture, oil infusion, topical preparations, vinegar
Cautions: Considered very safe for all ages.
Therapeutic Uses:
- Violet is very useful as a sedative when you are feeling anxious or unsettled. It is a gentle nervine and can be taken as a sleep aid. A nice cup of violet leaf tea with some warm milk and honey will put you right out.
- For use in cardiovascular issues, violet is useful for palpitations, angina, etc.
- As a cool and moistening herb, violet will help get your lymphatic system moving without drying you out.
- Violet is excellent for dry, irritated skin issues like eczema and dry psoriasis. A nice violet tea bath is lovely for this if you have the time, but you can also use the cooled tea as a compress.
- Infusing the leaves and flowers into honey makes a nice syrup to be taken for constipation and is gentle enough to use for children.
- The leaves and flowers can be added to salads.
**This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness or disease. It is for educational purposes only.