Herbs of the Field: Sweet Violet

Sweet Violets are easily identifiable by their sweet fragrance, which is extremely popular in perfume production. The bushy plant’s flowers, leaves, and stems are edible. Many times the petals are used in cake decorations. The history of sweet violet have been recognized for its medicinal usage for whooping cough and headaches.

Sweet Violet is found in meadows, hedge banks, and fields, sometimes they can be found in marshes and woodlands. The Sweet Violet came from Europe and Asia and eventually ended up in North America.

Identification: leaves are palmate with an oblong or heart-shape look. The blades are symmetrical with a serrated margin. Flowers are edible as well as fragrant.  Their appearance are a blue-purple to lavender color, about ½” in length, with five petals. The fruit of the Sweet violet is capsule-like, purple or lavender in color. It is very small, ¼” with short hair. When the fruit is ripe, it will split open, releasing two or more seeds.

Harvesting: If wanting to use the flowers of the Sweet Violet as a decor/garnish, it is best to harvest during the cold season, as it wilts when it warms. To harvest, clip the flower, leaves or stem. Wash thoroughly to remove dirt and debris. At this point you can dry them for future use. Lay them on a towel over a drying rack and set in a dry, dark place for a week. Then place dried leaves into an airtight container.

Usage: Sweet Violet is very nutritious type of herb. Sweet violet is known as a mucilaginous plant, which helps with respiratory illnesses. An expectorant syrup can be made to relieve coughs, sore throats, as well as helping congestion and draining swollen lymph glands. The syrup is also helpful for a dry cough, ear infections, bronchitis, respiratory catarrh, and asthma. The soluble fiber in the plant helps to reduce cholesterol, and aids with indigestion, bowel problems and other stomach issues. Sweet Violet has ani-inflammatory, antipyretic, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Sweet Violet contains salicylic acid, the same chemical base for aspirin, thus it can aid in reducing pains such as headaches, arthritis, and other inflammation issues. Because of its high antioxidant activity, it has been suggested it can be used for early stages of certain cancers by suppressing tumor growth due to its inhibitory effects.

Cautions: not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Use caution when used on skin, watch for allergic reaction. Some herbs can interact with other medications!