Violet Leaf

Violets, commonly known as sweet violet and Heart’s ease, sit cheerfully among the Viola spp. in the family Violaceae. The genus viola possesses around 600 species that are equally important and impart somewhat the same health benefits. Violet plant is edible and is characterized by violet, yellow, or white flowers and heart-shaped leaves and stipules that are also leaf—like.

The violet plant can be annual or perennial, depending on the specie. These beauties are a perfect addition to the home garden as they attract various pollinating agents. Violets are small plants that can attain a height of 1 to 6inches and spread no more than 6 inches.

Violet leaf is of immense topical importance as it is employed in poultices, salve, and infused oils to heal wounds, chafed skin, hemorrhoids, insect bites, eczema, and even varicose veins. They are thought to render cold and moist effect. In different pharmacopeias, violet leaves are documented to help with inflammation of eyes, swelling, and pains of all sorts that arise from heat or hemorrhoids.

Violet plants require different sorts of requirements, depending on the specie chosen. Talking collectively, violet seeds thrive in partial shade and well-drained, moist soil with copious organic matter.

However, violet plant proffers feasible options of growth to the gardener. They can be grown anytime in spring or fall, but springtime is more preferable due to favorable conditions.

The seeds of violet can be started a month before transplanting it into the garden beds or indoor pots. Violet can also endure freezing temperatures and will come out all smiling after the departure of the cold climate.

The seeds are sown a bit deeper than usual as they require darkness to show the magic of germination.

Violet seeds take around 10 to 14 days to germinate. After 4 to 6 weeks from sprouting, the violet plant is all ready to be transplanted. From then onwards, soon the plant can be seen producing flowers i.e. within 12 to 16 weeks.

The flowers are of the violet plant are naturally designed by mother nature to invite pollinating insects to the garden. This helps with reproduction and fertilization of not just violet flowers but also its other garden fellows too.

After fertilization, a thick-walled capsule comes into being that bears many seeds. Upon drying, these seeds get dispersed by a special structure called elaiosomes.

Violet leaves can be harvested anytime during spring till early summer as they seem vibrant and possess more content of volatile compounds than at any other time.

Violet leaves can be snipped off with sharp gardening shears.

After harvesting the violet leaves, they are washed thoroughly to loosen off the dirt and splayed on a paper towel in a well-ventilated area, away from the direct sunlight. The dried leaves can then be stored in an airtight container to preserve their aroma and efficacy.

Violet leaves are being used endlessly to help with various skin problems and mild internal disorders.

• Tincture - Infuse freshly chopped violet leaves in grain alcohol for 4 to 6 weeks. Strain the liquid and place it in a dark and dry place.
• Tea - Fresh or dried violet leaves are allowed to sit in water for 10 to 15 minutes to form a steaming cup of violet tea.
• Decoction - Dried violet leaves are decocted with water for 5 to 6 hours to form violet decoction.
• Salve - Violet leaf infused oil is combined with beeswax and essential oils to formulate a salve.
• Syrup - Violet leaves, white granulated sugar, and water are simmered together until the sugar dissolves to form violet leaf syrup.
• Infused oil - Dried violet leaves are infused with olive oil or sunflower oil for 6 weeks in a dark, dry place. The plant material is strained the violet leaf infused oil is transferred to an airtight container.

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