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Garden Violet | | Name : | Garden Violet | | Synonyms : | Commonblue violet
Gardenviolet
Hu-chin-ts'ao(Chinese name)
| | Parts Used : | Dried leaves and flowers; fresh rootstock | | Habitat : | Commonly cultivated and also grows wild in damp woods, shady places,meadows, thickets, hedges, and along roadsides and the edges of woods.Native to Europe. | | Description : | Garden violet is a small, European, perennial plant; the creepingrootstock sends out runners along the ground which also take root.The leaves are basal, petioled, and cordate. The spurred, violet,sometimes white or rose-colored, flowers grow on long peduncles, paleviolet spurs at the back; from March to May. Fruits are rounded, hairy,three-part capsules. | | Constituents : | Salicylic acid, volatile oil, mucilage, resin, sugar, an aromaticprinciple, flavonoids, a glucoside, saponins, an alkaloid called odoratine,rich in vitamins A and C. The flower also contains an aromatic compoundcalled irone, and a blue pigment.
Diaphoretic, emetic, expectorant, laxative, mucilaginous, antipyretic,alterative, antiseptic, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory | | Uses : | Garden violet is primarily an herb for respiratory problems. A teamade from the leaves is excellent as a soothing gargle,for sore gums, cankersores, good for inflammations,relieves pain of cancerous growths, as well as used as a poulticeto the back of the neck for headache.A blood purifier, goodfor treating gout, colds,asthma, sores,ulcers, scrofula, pleurisy,syphilis, and difficult breathingdue to gas and morbid matter in the stomach and bowels. The flowerslower blood pressure.Has been used to treat blemished skin, psoriasis,eczema, acne,and infants' cradle cap. A decoction of the rootstock makes a goodexpectorant. For inflamed mucous tissue in the mouth, rinse with atea made from the rootstock or the whole plant. A tea or syrup madefrom the plant, especially the rootstock and the flowers, is a soothingremedy for coughs and whooping cough. Use it also as a calming agentfor insomnia and hystericalor nervous problems. The flowers and the seeds can be used as a mildlaxative. In large doses, the rootstock is emetic. Particularlyused to soften hard lumps and counteract cancer, swollenglands.
Violet leaves are used in puddings, jellies, and salads; flowersin salads or in candied form as a decorative garnish for desserts. | | Dosage : | Collect the rootstock in the fall.
Infusion: steep 1 tsp. mixed plant parts in 1/2 cup waterand strain.
Decoction: boil 1 tbsp. rootstock or plant parts in 1/2 cupwater. Soaking for a few hours before boiling is said to strengthenthe activity.
Syrup: pour 1 qt. boiling water over an equal volume of compressedflowers; let stand for 10 hours and strain. Heat the resulting liquidto simmering and pour over a new batch of flowers. Let stand and strainas before. Repeat the procedure several more times (the more the better).Heat the final liquid, let cool, and add honey until a syrupy consistencyis obtained. | | Safety : | Avoid very high doses, as they contain saponins, which may inducenausea and vomiting. | | Myths : | The violets have a large family tree; some 400 species, mostly perennialbut a few annual herbs.
According to Greek legend, the violet originated from the tears ofIo, a beautiful nymph whom Zeus loved. To hide Io from Hera, his jealouswife, Zeus changed her into a white heifer. When Io cried becausethe field grasses were coarse and bitter for her taste, Zeus transformedher tears into violets to provide her a more delicate food. In Greekburials it was the custom to cover the dead person with violets asa symbol of both the beauty and the transitory quality of life.
As far back as 500 BC, violet herbs were used in poultice form asa cure for surface cancer (skin cancer). Homer relates how the Atheniansused violets to moderate anger. Pliny recommended wearing a garlandof violets to prevent headaches and dizziness.
Because of his fondness for the flower, Napoleon was sometimes knownas Corporal Violet. When he was exiled on Elba, the violet becamehis symbol for his supporters. Violets were strewn along the paraderoute when he returned to power in Paris, after escaping from theisland. | | Nutrient : | Rich in vitamins A and C. |
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