Violets, an attractive flower, edible flower and usefful medicinal herb

The violet, (Viola odorata from France or Viola canadensis from the Great Lakes watershed), is a low growing perennial with heart shaped leaves rising from creeping underground rhizomes. the common names of the violet are sweet violet, heart's ease and violet.

Violets live in moist shady grasslands on the edge of forests in the Great Lakes area.

Violets symbolized Venus and was regarded as... the flowers of love, and were placed on the hats of brides in ancient Greece. Napoleon, Emperor of France made the violet the symbol of his Empire.

Most people today think of the violet as a springtime flower but the violet is also valuable as a edible flower with attractive white, pale blue or light purple flowers, and is also a valuable medicinal herb.

Violets flowers can be candied and were used in colonial days for garnishes and in salads, put in fruit custards, and as fritters, on sauces and the flower petals are still used candied on cakes and on icing for decoration.

To make a violet syrup, take 1 cup of violet flowers, 2 cups of water, 2 cups of honey and 1 ounce of gin. Bring the water to a boil. Add the violet petals and combine them. Let the flowers infuse the water overnight in a non metallic container. strain and add the honey to the water. simmer for 10 minutes at a low heat. Let the fluid cool and pour it into glass bottles or jars. Add the gin to preserve the mixture. the violet syrup can be kept in a cool place for up to 3 months. This is excellent on cakes and as a topping on sherberts. The syrup is soothing on throats and in the intestines.

Used for the medicinal benefits violets were made into a tincture and into a syrup. Tincture of violet flower is used to treat coughs, and the syrup was used as a laxative. The seeds of violet, gathered in the fall, were used as a purgative and as a diuretic, by chewing. A cold infusion made from the fresh leaves of the violet was used to treat sore throats.

The brushed, washed and dried roots can be used in a concentrated decoction (1t in about 1/3 cup water will provoke vomiting in the case of food or alkaloid poisoning.

To preserve the flower petals of the violets, dry the flower petals and pack the petals in a airtight place indoors.