In Ancient Greece sweet violet or viola was known as a symbol of love, spring and eternal life.

Due to its many healing properties, there have been many myths and legends associated with this beautiful plant and its origins. 

The heavenly-scented sweet violet (Latin Viola odorata), known as the herald of spring, is easy to come across in your own garden or in a nearby park.

Sweet violet (Viola odorata) is native to western Asia, North Africa and Europe, but it is widely cultivated and naturalized.

Its delicate flowers with their intoxicating sweet scent bloom in March and April and is noted for its deep violet, tender flowers and heart-shaped leaves.

And naturally for its irresistible sweet scent.

Due to its unique colour, this gentle spring plant has been a source of inspiration for centuries. 

The Ancient Greeks considered it a symbol of excellence and nobility, whereas in Christianity it is associated with Advent, Lent and redemption.

Healing properties of sweet violet

The leaf and flower of this plant have been used for thousands of years, both externally and internally, as anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agents.

The plant's vital active constituents include saponins, glycoside iridin, salicylic acid, bitter constituents, essential oils and alkaloid odoratine.

Violet leaf tea has been known as an effective expectorant for respiratory diseases. 

It is a good remedy for treating acute and chronic bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, pneumoconiosis, upper respiratory infections, cold and flu symptoms, cough and sore throat.

The Ancient Greeks wore crowns of violets to promote serenity and sleep, cure insomnia, stimulate pleasant dreams and relieve headaches.

This has been scientifically confirmed through chemical analysis, which revealed the presence of salicylic acid, an important active ingredient in aspirin, a well-known general analgesic.

Moreover, in traditional folk medicine this plant has been treasured for its potent anti-inflammatory properties.

The whole plant also acts as a laxative and promotes sweating, urination and healthy stool, thereby soothing the skin and relieving gastrointestinal difficulties.

Violet is also known as a traditional blood purifier, which makes it a wonderful and gently detoxifying plant for the spring season.

Healing properties of sweet violet

• soothes infections
• relieves headaches and migraine pain
• stimulates detoxification
• alleviates pain
• relieves anxiety, stress, fear and insomnia
• treats respiratory diseases

 

Violet honey for boosting your immunity

The combination of honey and violets is wonderful for boosting your immune system, soothing coughs and scratchy throats, relieving flu and colds, as well as treating various infections.

Directions:

In the spring, collect two cups violet flowers. Place in the blender with one cup raw unfiltered honey and freshly squeezed juice of one lemon and blend. Store in a glass jar in the freezer.

Take one teaspoon of this delightful mixture two times a day.

Violet vinegar for treating joint and muscle pain

Violet vinegar acts as an excellent natural remedy for alleviating joint and muscle pain.

Soak a cloth or an absorbent cotton in violet vinegar and compress it against the affected area.

Directions:

Place as many violet flowers as possible in a jar. Cover with white vinegar, seal and allow flowers to steep for 2-3 weeks, shaking daily. Strain and refrigerate.

Violet syrup for relieving respiratory conditions

Violet syrup is excellent for treating colds, asthma, bronchitis, coughs, sore throat and other respiratory ailments.

Its soothing and moistening quality helps relieve irritation and inflammatory problems, keeps the respiratory tract open, soothes and supports the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract.

Herbalists often prescribe the syrup for lung and lymph cancers.

Ingredients:

• 36 g dried violet leaf 
• 1,2 l distilled water
• 3 l honey (roughly)

Directions:

Place the violet leaf in a stainless steel or glass pan and cover with 1,2 litres water. Let it sit overnight.

In the morning, place the pan on the stove and simmer for 15 minutes, then strain. 

Measure strained liquid, take the measurement and add 3 times the amount of honey to the liquid.

Heat the mixture gently until the liquid and honey incorporate, then pour into sterilized jars.

Drink one teaspoon of violet syrup per day.

Store in a cool place and use within a year.

Once a jar is open for use, refrigerate it.
 

Violet essential oil for soothing and easing headache and migraine pain

For headaches and migraines, massage the violet essential oil onto your temples.

To make your own violet flower oil, you will need a handful of fresh violet flowers and half a liter of olive oil.

Directions:

Pour the olive oil over a handful of fresh violet flowers and let stand for 5 days. 

Strain the oil and store in a dark tinted glass bottle.

Violet tea for a calming and soothing effect

In folk medicine, violet tea has been used for centuries for its soothing properties. These properties make this tea a perfect natural remedy for insomnia, fatigue, stress, hysteria and headache.

In ancient times, herbalists used violet to treat heart rhythm disorders closely related to anxiety attacks  as well as to alleviate the symptoms of hypochondria.

Today, this tea acts as an effective treatment for asthma symptoms.

 A refreshing violet tea is prepared from the whole plant - the leaves, flowers and roots of the herb.

Ingredients (for one cup):

• 2,5 dcl water
• 2 teaspoons dried and crushed violet leaves, flowers and roots
• 1 tablespoon honey

Directions: 

Place 2 teaspoons of dried violet in a stainless steel or glass pan and pour over 2,5 decilitres cold water.

Place the pan on the stove and heat until it boils. Cook for 5 minutes and then strain. Cool the liquid, sweeten with honey and drink while lukewarm, one cup three times a day.

Spring salads with violets

Leaves and flowers of the violet may also be used in spring salads, raw or cooked.

Add it to your salad, taste its delicious delicacy and sweet fragrance, and use it for cake decorations or ice cream flavourings.

Harvesting and drying

Violet's flowers and leaves or the whole plant is usually harvested in early spring (March and April), while the root is dug in autumn (October to mid-November).

Violets should be dried in a shady, cool and airy place.

As with other herbs, it is essential not to pick violets from an area where chemical fertilizers or pesticides have beed used or where there are high levels of traffic-related air pollution.

 

The sources for this article include:
[url=http://www.naturalnews.com]http://www.naturalnews.com[/url]
[url=http://www.care2.com]http://www.care2.com[/url]
[url=http://www.motherearthnews.com ]http://www.motherearthnews.com [/url];

Liked the article?
Share it with your friends!