Learn the Herbs: Violet

The beautiful violet flowers, with their vivid color and heart-shaped petals, pack a punch when it comes to medicinal properties. Viola odorata or sweet violet is deep purple and is one of the best-known violets for their health benefits. The sweet violet is native to Europe, but its popularity has spread it far and wide all around the world.

A Brief History of Violet Plant’s Use

Out of all the cultures, it was the Ancient Greeks who were the most obsessed with violets. The Greek mythologies are galore with tales involving violet, but it was equally involved in their daily lives. Crowns of violet were prepared to relieve headaches and to promote sleep. It was known to help with insomnia and provide serenity and pleasant dreams. In his book about herbs and their medicinal benefits, author, herbalist, and folklorist Maud Grieve confirmed that early Europeans would use the violet syrup as a laxative for children and infants. The medicinal herb also has a history of being used as a cough remedy for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Interestingly, the ionine in violet dulls the smell receptors when it’s sniffed, which lead to the legend about only being able to smell violet once.

What Does the Violet Herb Contain?

Charlotte Erichsen-Brown extensively studied the use of plants and their 500 years of usage and claimed that the vitamin C content in violet’s leaf was compared with that in oranges. Its vitamin A levels were compared with spinach. The leaves of the violet plant are also rich in polysaccharide and anodyne that has pain-killing and diuretic benefits.

Benefits of Sweet Violet

It Supports Respiratory System

Early research on sweet violet proved the herb to be highly effective as a cough remedy. Dried violet flowers can be soaked in syrup for 5-days to help children with wheezing, cough, and other respiratory issues. In the absence of violet flowers, Violet Tincture is just as effective in relieving symptoms.

It Can Help Improve Sleep

Studies back up the claims that using an extract of sweet violet in nose drops before bed can improve sleep considerably. A small research study conducted at the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, and the results of which were published in Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, showed that the regular use of violet oil (in nostrils) provided a great improvement in sleep with no serious adverse reaction within only a month.

Helps with Respiratory Conditions

Violet herb is best known for its aid in respiratory conditions. It is used to help ease symptoms of acute and chronic breathing problems. People have been benefitting from violet herbs for centuries and using them for a range of respiratory diseases and to treat lungs damaged by dust and smoke. Violet herb’s anti-inflammatory properties calm down the inflamed respiratory tract, congestion, hoarseness, and flu & cold symptoms.

Violet herb has numerous medicinal properties. Violet tea alone can help with various ailments. If there’s something you are struggling with, you too can give this useful herb a try by getting your hands on our organic violet tincture made with dried violet leaves. It’s available in both alcohol and alcohol-free formulations, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

 

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