There is nothing like walking into my yard on a Spring afternoon to violets covering the yard, peeking through the growing green grass. It fills me with so much pleasure to see the early blooms which we do sometimes get as early as March, but more often in April. It gives me hope that the cold, gray weather is coming to an end.
The Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia) is native to central and eastern North America. These little beauties begin sprouting up in lawns, along the roadside, within sidewalk cracks, and beside forest paths in late March/Early April. There is a variation (cultivar) that is white with purple streaks that will grow alongside the typical purple/blue. And the leaves and blossoms of the Common Blue Violet are edible.
Identification
There are many species of violet. In addition to Viola sororia, there is Viola oderata, (Sweet Violets). You can identify these by their light sweet scent. However, it is most likely the flowers growing in your yard are the Common Blue variety. But whether you are foraging from your yard or at another location, it is always good to know how to identify the plant so you are 100% sure before you use them.
Common Blue Violets have a basal rosette (a crown of leaves radiating from a stem) of toothed, heart-shaped leaves, and drooping flowers with five petals that do not produce seeds. The blossoms are blue, purple, and white.
There is a yellow variety that some people might come across when foraging. It is important to note that Common Violet does have a look-alike that is poisonous. Ficaria verna, also known as lesser Celandine or Pilewort. While the yellow flower of this plant looks different from the yellow violet, the basal leaves are very similar. So, if you are foraging and you come across leaves you believe are violets, wait until the flowers bloom to be certain of their identification.
These wildflowers are often called “weeds” but to me, they are wonderful forageable medicine. Violets have a wide variety of uses as food, medicine, and magick.
According to Greek mythology, the god Zeus fell in love with a priestess named Io. This wasn’t the first time for the philandering Zeus, so when his wife Hera found out, she was understandably miffed. To keep Io out of his wife’s way, Zeus turned her into a white heifer. When Io-the-heifer complained that she had nothing to eat, he created a field of violets for her—and while he was at it, he probably sent a bunch of violets to Hera, as an apology. The flowers soothed the jealous goddess, so the Greeks began using them to calm anger and induce sleep.
In the Middle Ages, Hildegard von Bingen used violet juice as the basis for a cancer salve. In the sixteenth century, violets were widely used to treat insomnia, epilepsy, pleurisy, and rheumatism. A couple of hundred years later, Nicholas Culpeper wrote that the plant was ruled by the planet Venus. This made it a natural as a treatment for throat ailments, since Venus also ruled the throat. They are, he said, “a fine, pleasing plant of Venus.”
In fact, violet leaves and stems do contain a soothing mucilage, as well as salicylic acid, the precursor of aspirin. They’re also rich in vitamins A and C, and for people who didn’t have access to fresh veggies in the winter, an early spring salad of violet leaves was a very good idea. The flowers themselves taste sweet, and they’re often made into syrup or even marmalade. You may have seen them in popular cookbooks, candied or crystalized and used to decorate pastries or cakes.
Violets have been associated with many magical properties, including protection, love, and fertility. They have also been used in aromatherapy and as a remedy for various ailments.
Protection
Violets are thought to keep evil spirits away and protect against nightmares.
African violets are believed to bring good fortune and create a harmonious atmosphere.
In medieval times, violets were grown in monastery gardens to protect against evil.
Love and fertility
In ancient Greece, violets were a symbol of love and fertility.
They were used in love potions and to make violet-flavored wine.
Aromatherapy
Violet oil can be used as an anointing oil for magical workings.
It can also be used to treat skin conditions like acne, eczema, and dermatitis.
Violet oil can also be used to stimulate circulation and aid rheumatism.
Medicinal
Violets have been used to treat respiratory infections, swellings, and bruises.
They have also been used as a demulcent, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant.
There are a number of ways to use violets. They are a soothing herb with a gelatinous (mucilaginous) consistency. Violets have antioxidant properties which means they are a great source of Vitamins C and A. They are also anti-inflammatory which means they can support the body when dealing with discomfort, pain, swelling, etc.
Violets are helpful for coughs and sore throats due to colds, flu, and allergies by infusing them into a tincture, syrup, etc. They can be used topically in infused oil, balm, or lotion for rashes and other skin irritations, eczema, dry skin, bug bites, and varicose veins.
Violet is also said to be helpful for headaches, to calm nerves, ease emotions, and aid in achieving restful sleep when enjoyed as a soothing cup of tea.
Violet Blossom Infusion (Herbal Tea)
1 Cup of Boiling Water
2-3 Tsp Violet Blossoms (fresh or dry)
Pour the water over the flowers. Allow the violets to steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain and enjoy.
Violet Leaf Oil Infusion
1 cup Coconut Oil
1 Cup Violet Leaves
1/2 Cup Violet Blossoms
Clean, dry lidded canning jar
Fill the canning jar with the leaves and flowers. Pour the coconut oil over the plant material until covered to just above (add more oil if necessary). Put the lid onto the jar. Give a gentle twist, shake to stir the oil and violets. Place in a sunny spot for two weeks. Strain the flowers and leaves. Use topically as needed.
Since these little flowers are high in vitamins, they make a great addition to salads or nourishing soups. Violets make an attractive decoration for cakes, cupcakes, and cookies. Or, you can use them in a baked recipe such as muffins. You can make a simple syrup with violets to add to lemonade or iced tea. Here is an easy recipe:
Violet Simple Syrup
1 cup Sugar
1 cup water
1/2 – 1 cup violet blossoms (stems removed) loosely packed in a lidded canning jar.
Bring water to boil in a small saucepan.
Pour the hot water over the blossoms.
Leave the flowers to steep for several hours.
Strain flowers from water into a double boiler.
Heat over low temperature and add sugar.
Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
Pour into a lidded glass jar.
Keep in the refrigerator until used.
Violets in Magick
Tiny though they may be, these flowers are powerful aids in magickal workings. They are useful for spiritual growth, protection, healing, faithfulness, love, and glamour. They are also associated with psychic abilities, dreams, and visions.
Violet is associated with tranquility and peace. The leaf offers protection from evil, and can be sewn into a pillow or sachet for a new baby. Carry the petals with you to bring about luck and enhance nighttime magic.
These pretty purple flowers are everywhere in the spring and early summer, so it’s a perfect opportunity to do a bit of flower magic.
Dry the flowers in the sun, and use them in an incense blend to bring about sweet dreams and restful sleep. You may even want to sew them into a pillow to help bring about good vibes as you snooze.
Take a square of plain muslin or cotton, and place a bundle of freshly picked violets in it. Tie the square shut and hang it over the faucet in your bathtub.
Run hot water, and allow the steam to spread the deliciously sweet scent of violets. Use this as a relaxing, cleansing bath prior to doing rituals or spellwork.
The violet is also associated with dedication and loyalty. If you want your lover to be constant and true, offer a bundle of violets as a gift, or plant a patch in front of the person’s home!
In addition to being magical, violets are one of the many edible plants you may find in the wild or in your garden. Violets can be candied–it’s time consuming, but the end result is lovely–or brewed into a water, a vinegar, or even a tea.
Wear violet in a small muslin bag as an amulet of protection.
Place them beneath your pillow for dreams and visions.
Allow them to grow near your door to ward off evil.
Drop the blossoms in a ritual bath for healing.
As you can see, there is a multitude of ways that Common Violets can aid you in your life. And it is easy to come across them. Ask these lovely plants to aid you as a spirit ally, then see where your intuition and creativity take you.