A to Z Herbarium: Violet

Protection, Luck, Love, Lust, Wishes, Peace, Healing

Carrying violet will protect one against wicked spirits, and bring about a change in luck and fortune. When mixed with lavender, violets stimulate love and lust. Gathering the first violet in spring means your greatest wish will be granted.

In ancient Greece, violets were worn to cool tempers and bring about sleep. Ancient Romans made wine out of violet blossoms. A wreath of violets worn on the head was believed to cure headaches and dizziness. Violets have also been associated with death and mourning. It’s possible this connection goes back to ancient times, as it’s said when the Phrygian god Attis died, violets sprung wherever his blood fell.

Violets can be used in a poultice, infused oil or salve to soothe dry skin, eczema, insect bites and other dermatological ailments. It is cooling and anti-inflammatory.

When made into a syrup, violets can ease coughs and act as a mild laxative. The roots and seeds are also purgative. Drinking an infusion of violet leaves has, in some cases, been said to alleviate cancer pain, particularly of the throat.

Sources:

Cunningham’s Encylopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham, 2016, Llewellyn Publications

Around the Roman Table, Patrick Faas, 2013, Macmillan

Mother Earth News

Botanical

Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine

Bartleby

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below

Ronel Janse van Vuuren - 6 years ago

Working on my violet wreath… Happy A-to-Z-ing.

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    You will be lovely and, hopefully, headache free. 😉

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Most lovely indeed! 🙂

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Hilary Melton-Butcher - 6 years ago

Hi Sara – love violets – they are so beautiful in a patch of grass or in meadow … and I bet they warded off some rather nasty bugs in Medieval and earlier days. I used to love sugared violets (an earlier version of a Parma Violet – which is not a sweet per se ) on chocolates filled with violet cream, similarly roses and rose cream … til they became too sweet toothed for the desire for more! Cheers Hilary

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Violet candy sounds intriguing! Would love to try some, just to see what it tastes like. But they are very beautiful. 🙂

    Reply
Tarkabarka - 6 years ago

So fun story: My dog loves to roll around in violets. At first, we did not know why he came in from the garden smelling like flowers, but then we observed him doing it… 😀

The Multicolored Diary: WTF – Weird Things in Folktales

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Haha! I’ve always wondered why dogs roll around like that. Is it to get the human smell off them, or just because it makes them happy? 😛

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Molly of Molly's Canopy - 6 years ago

Violets are in bloom right now in New York City. Hard to believe that these lovely flowers are considered a blight to a perfect suburban lawn! I would sure love to try some of that violet wine 🙂

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    I’d love to have violets on my lawn! Well, assuming I had a lawn. 😉 Violet wine would be exciting to try.

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Deborah Weber - 6 years ago

I love violets, and I’m currently enjoying the crop of them that is blooming in my lawn. You might catch me acting like Tarkabarka’s dog rolling around in them and then smelling pretty. 🙂

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Sounds like a pretty good way to spend one’s time to me. 😉

    Reply
McGuffy's Reader - 6 years ago

Shared!

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Thank you! 🙂

    Reply
Arti - 6 years ago

I haven’t had the pleasure of picking or smelling violets. I’d love to go over to Deborah’s lawn and join her and roll like Tarkabarka’s dog:)
Sighs…big sighs.
V is for Ventriloquist

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    I think we need to have a violet rolling party. 😉

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susan scott - 6 years ago

Aren’t they pretty … interesting uses for them. Seems like there’s nothing violent about them..

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Violets say “no” to violence. 😉

    Reply
Pamela - 6 years ago

I love violets as they’re such a pretty little flower. I think I might have to try infusing some in oil as this sounds like a lovely skin treatment. Thanks for sharing.

Pamela @ Highlands Days of Fun

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    I would also like to try a violet infusion. I eczema on my hands from time to time. Am curious if violet oil would help.

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Claire Noland - 6 years ago

I love violets. It’s nice to know that they have many uses.

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    They are beautiful little flowers. Thanks for stopping by, Claire! 🙂

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Nick Wilford - 6 years ago

Never knew violets had so many uses!

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    They’re handy little things. 🙂

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valj2750 - 6 years ago

Beautiful post. The violet color is deep and lovely. My Virtual Vineyard

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    They are quite lovely. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂

    Reply
Shari - 6 years ago

I would never have imagined violets had so many interesting uses. Fascinating.

Thanks for visiting my post V for vagina
Shari

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Thanks, Shari! 🙂

    Reply
Heidi Kneale (Her Grace) - 6 years ago

I love LOVE love violets. I wish I could grow them in Australia. I love their smell, their taste, their pretty little colour.

I have several violet perfumes and love eating violet pastilles (when I can get them).

–Her Grace, Heidi from Romance Spinners

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    They are great little flowers. If I ever find violet pastilles, I am definitely going to try them.

    Reply
Michelle Wallace - 6 years ago

September first is officially spring for us.
I must remember to gather the first violet on that day…and then make a wish.

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    You crazy lot in the Southern Hemisphere. 😉 Hopefully your wish will come true!

    Reply
JazzFeathers - 6 years ago

Such a simple flower, so many properties 🙂

@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter – 1940s Film Noir

Reply
    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Simple is sometimes best. 🙂

    Reply
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