Violet

(Viola odorata)

It has many species. Sweet scented violet is the most used specie for medicinal purpose. It is also grown in indoor and outdoor gardens for decoration and its pleasant scent. This familiar plant has beautiful, wild looking heart shaped leaves. Violet flowers are beautiful, deep purple and full of nectar. Besides medicinal benefits, its pricey violet perfume is also extracted from its flowers.

Best time for collection of its leaves and flowers are just before opening of its flowers. This is done to prevent its precious volatile chemicals from escaping. Use of violet causes the body to sweat. It is also a good diuretic and pain killer.

Some old herbal books define violet as a good medicine for headache. It is also used to treat colds and chest pains. It is a cough suppressant and is given to patients to treat many stomach upsets. Violet is anti-inflammatory and liver tonic. It is given alone or mixed with other medicine to treat some kidney problems.      

Violet is used to treat Polydipsia, which means excessive thirst. It is given in many forms for treatment of palpitation, fevers, itching sensation in the skin and asthma. Violet is formed into ointment for local application in some skin diseases including cracked heals. In some ointment formulations, it is mixed with lanoline and gum acacia. Emulsion prepared with violet leaves is applied to the head to treat headaches. The same is applied to feet to treat insomnia. In some eye infections this emulsion is used to wash eyes. Please be very careful or completely avoid treating eyes with your own herbal remedies.

Fresh tender violet leaves are crushed and applied to relieve inflammations and body pains. Violet is used to treat bronchial infections. Its tea is given for this purpose which can be sweetened with honey or sugar.

Its tea can be given in small amounts to kids to treat common cough and measles. This tea also helps reduce fever accompanied with measles. Violet is a mild diuretic and a nerve relaxant. For this reason it is also given to patients with history of epilepsy.

To make a liquid extract of violet, add about 70 grams of violet flowers or leaves (or both) to about two liters of boiling water and cover it for 12 hours. After straining the liquid, add honey or sugar to about half of the extract and preserve in fridge. Use this extract for drinking in small quantities, several times daily, for the symptoms and ailments written above. Leave the remaining extract unsweetened and pour it on your body after showers if required or apply locally for above symptoms, if required.

I have prepared and used violet oil mixed with other herbs for treatment of rheumatic pains in elderly and young patients and have found it to be extremely useful.