Violet & Pansy
Viola odorata & Viola tricolor
All species of violet and pansy are useful.
“Violet allays the extream heate of the liver. . . tempers the sharpness of choler [anger], and takes away thirst.” Gerard-Johnson (1633)
Type: Nourishing tonic
Properties: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, alterative, emollient, demulcent, refrigerant, diuretic
Part Used: Leaves and flowers
Preparation and Dose:
* Infusion of dried leaves, hot or cold, 1-4 cups per day.
* Leaves and flowers in salad as desired. Pretty!
* Tincture of fresh leaf, 3-5 drops taken 3 times a day. (This eliminated an MD’s fast growing breast cancer in 2 months. < http://www.herbalistlisewolff.com/violets.html>)
Violet leaves and flowers contain: Vitamins A, C, carotenes, and folates (folic acid); calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and zinc; salicylic acid, phytosterols, quercetin, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, rutin. 100 grams (3.5 ounces) provide 20,000 IU of vitamin A (400% of the RDA); and 265mg vitamin C (350% of the RDA).
Cautions: None. May be consumed without limit.
Violet has a rarely-mentioned ability to help the heart, especially the emotional heart.
Violet is a slippery old lady who likes to smooth the way for easy flow in the blood vessels. She eases and opens the heart, lowers blood pressure by wringing excess fluids from the cells, and acts as a mild anticoagulant to help prevent stroke. Violet makes everything move with a glide, more free-flowing, and more serene.
Violet is cooling and soothing. She counters inflammation throughout the cardiovascular system, relaxing blood vessels and healing those little injuries to the endothelium that attract cholesterol plaque. Violet invites you to sit a while in the shade and enjoy life, sipping a tall glass of iced violet infusion poured over ice cubes frozen around violet flowers.
Pansy tincture is said to be specific for relieving heart ache and grief.
Violet eases emotional distress: banishing nightmares and supporting our fragileness with her strength. Violet leaf infusion nourishes the nervous system and cools the overheated brain, bringing cooling relief to the fire of grief and rage. When we feel overwhelmed, violet shows her strength. When we feel like we are falling apart, violet keeps all our pieces together. When we feel like a victim, violet reminds us that strength is found in many forms.
Salicylic acid is found in all parts of the violet plant. Drinking a cup of violet leaf infusion regularly gives you the same benefits of taking low-dose aspirin, without the side effects of internal bleeding.
Wearing a single fresh violet used to be a fashionable thing for ladies to do, until it became associated with lesbianism! Nonetheless, Eleanor Roosevelt continued to wear her violet, and for the best of reasons.