Welcome to Herb Notes, I’m Tara Ruth
With their heart-shaped leaves and beautiful flowers, violets (Viola odorata) are a delight for the heart and soul. Beyond their charming looks, violets also offer many healing gifts.
Let’s dive into 3 benefits of violets…
1. Violet for Skin Irritations
Violet leaves and flowers are demulcent. This means they are moistening for our tissues. Violet pairs this moistening quality with its anti-inflammatory properties to soothe and nourish dry skin conditions. To support dry skin, you can infuse violet leaves into a carrier oil or make a wash with violet tea.
2. Violet for Dry Coughs
Just as violet’s demulcent quality makes it a fantastic ally for dry skin, this same quality also makes violet a great remedy for a dry cough. A cough syrup with violet flowers or a violet flower tea can help soothe irritated respiratory tissues.
3. Violet for Joy
It doesn’t take a professional herbalist to tell you that violets spark joy. These beautiful blooms announce the arrival of spring and gladden the heart with their vibrant colors and delicate petals. Violet flowers have traditionally been worked with to tend the emotional and physical heart.
And just a few notes of caution when working with violets:
Some violet species are high in a constituent called saponins. If eaten in excess, the violet leaves and flowers in these species can cause nausea and diarrhea.
Want to learn more about the benefits of other common herbs?
Visit HerbNotes.cards to grab a deck of our top 12 Herb Notes. You’ll learn about herbs like elderberry, chamomile, and more.
This has been Herb Notes with me, Tara Ruth. Catch ya next time!
