Herbs, Plants, Trees and Roots | August, 2012

You entered Hooded Violet, the more common name is...

Both the leaves and blooms are edible-they can be tossed in a salad, used to make violet tea, violet syrup, violet jelly, and even violet vinegar.<br />
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Violet leaves are used to make a poultice to relieve headaches. Violets are soaked in water, then the water can be used to relieve dysentery, colds, coughs, or used as a spring tonic. Violet roots are crushed and used as a poultice to aide in skin aliments. It is also believed that a cup of Violet tea is good for melancholy.<br />

Wild Violet

SCIENTIFIC NAME:
(Viola sororia)


Wild violet is a low-growing clumping (simple) perennial with a dense, fibrous root system and heart-shaped leaves that often cup toward the petiole to form a funnel shape. Wild violet is often considered difficult-to-control due to its aggressive growth, waxy leaves and resistance to most common herbicides.

Wild violet is most often found in shaded, fertile sites and prefers moist soils. Flowers occurs in mid-May; usually violet colored, but can vary from deep-blue-violet to completely white. Plants spread by rhizomes and seed.



Common Names:

Common Blue Violet, Common Meadow Violet, Purple Violet, Woolly Blue Violet, Hooded Violet, Wood Violet, Violet


Wild Violet

Uses:

Both the leaves and blooms are edible-they can be tossed in a salad, used to make violet tea, violet syrup, violet jelly, and even violet vinegar.

Violet leaves are used to make a poultice to relieve headaches. Violets are soaked in water, then the water can be used to relieve dysentery, colds, coughs, or used as a spring tonic. Violet roots are crushed and used as a poultice to aide in skin aliments. It is also believed that a cup of Violet tea is good for melancholy.



Applications:

Tea:
2 tsp dried violet leaf, 1 tsp dried violets or chamomile, Pour 1 1/2 cup boiling water over 2 tsp dried violet leaf, 1 tsp dried violets or chamomile. Cover and let it steep for 10 minutes before drinking.

Poultice:
For headache relief, make poultice from violet leaves and place it on the forehead and temples, then lay down and rest for ½ with eyes closed. To aide in skin problems, make poultice from the Violets roots and put on afflicted area.

Eating:
Eat raw fresh flowers and or leaves.


Warnings:

Always make sure of a plants identity before ingesting.

With any herb, there is the risk of an allergic reaction. Small children and pregnant women should use additional caution when considering the use of herbal remedies.