Popular garden plants, violets are delicate purple flowers that are some of the first flowers to bloom in the spring. You may see lawns covered with tiny lilac and white flowers. Some see them as beautiful, while others who love pure green lawns consider them weeds. Wild violets, though, have been incredibly useful in therapeutic and medicinal practices throughout history.
There are over 500 species in the viola family, and most of them exhibit medicinal properties and health benefits. When looking for violets to use in natural remedies, the common blue violet, the sweet violet, Viola odorata, and the Labrador violet are the best varieties. Because the flowers are soft and delicate, be careful when you pick them. Depending on the variety, you may be able to eat them! They enhance the appearance of salads, drinks, and sandwiches.
The Medicinal Benefits
Wild violets, especially the upper portions of the plant, are popularly used in infusions to promote sleep. Sometimes, people incorporate them into teas to boost lung health as they exhibit expectorant properties. For this reason, wild violets may be effective at treating upper respiratory tract infections, in addition to colds, congestion, and flu viruses. More studies are needed to confirm these initial findings, though.
Some wild violet flowers have a wintergreen taste, which researchers attribute to the salicylic acid, a compound that may reduce pain and swelling. According to research, salicylic acid may be effective at disinfecting and accelerating the healing of mild skin abrasions. Finally, the leaves of wild violets contain a high level of mucilage, which may soothe irritated tissues. Fresh or dry, the leaves can be incorporated into a strong poultice or infusion to reduce under-eye puffiness.
Violet Oil For Sleep
One study suggests that violet oil, in the form of nasal drops, may be an effective remedy for chronic insomnia. Researchers behind the study believe that the calming and relaxing properties of violet can aid a more peaceful night’s sleep. Inhaling the aroma may be a great way to calm the mind and promote relaxation before bed. Massaging it into the skin may help relax the body and moisturize the skin. Additionally, studies show that violets are rich in anti-inflammatory properties, which may reduce muscular and joint stiffness.
Violet Oil For The Skin
Although violets may encourage lymphatic flow and enhance moisture on the skin, the carrier oil in which you infuse the violet flowers will offer the majority of benefits for the skin. In the case of sweet almond oil, for example, it helps protect the skin from potential UV damage. It may also accelerate the healing of skin burns and rashes. Olive oil will offer other benefits, and so will jojoba oil. Consider which oil works best for your skin and then you can make the violet-infused oil, which we detail how to make below.Â
How To Make Violet-Infused Oil
Violets are easy to spot in early spring, and you’ll notice that they don’t have an aroma in North America. In Europe, you can identify them by their signature sweet aroma. If you are foraging, make sure that you identify and research the type of species to ensure that it is edible and non-poisonous. Once you secure your violets, you have to choose the oil for infusion. Sweet almond oil is an excellent carrier oil because it has an ability to boost collagen production and enhance skin hydration.Â
Don’t wash the violets after you pick them. Make sure they are relatively dry from sun exposure when picking flowers. If the petals are a little moist, let them dry out on your windowsill for a day. Add the dry flowers to a sterile, glass jar and pour the sweet almond oil into it, making sure that the flowers are fully submerged. Don’t place a lid on the jar; rather, place a piece of cloth and rubber band over the jar so that it can breathe. Place it in a dark spot and shake it occasionally. Add some oil in case of possible evaporation. After about four weeks, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve and store the infused oil in an airtight glass jar. This is valuable oil, so don’t lose it or waste a drop.
