Wild Violets Taking Over?

Now that spring is here our lawns are becoming full of tiny purple violets.  Most people work hard to get rid of these little pretty flowers and get frustrated by how hard they are to control.  Before you start spraying them, why not admire their beauty and try harvesting them for their nutritive value.

First things first though.  These pretty little purple flowers should not be confused with African violets.  African violets make great houseplants but will make you sick if you eat them.  Wild violets have purple flowers and heart-shaped leaves.  They typically grow in clusters and can get as tall as 4-6”.  While purple is the most common, there are white and pink violets too.

Violets have been utilized for their health properties for years.  The flowers and leaves are antiseptic, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory.  Violets contain a healthy dose of vitamin C.  They also promote a restful sleep, ease headaches, and quiet coughs.  Violets also help your body to eliminate waste by stimulating the lymphatic glands to get rid of toxins in the body. 

A Few Common Uses of Violets:

1. Make a Syrup and Soda

A great way to use these violets is to make a homemade soda using violet simply syrup.  This soda is simple, inexpensive, and far healthier than store bought soda.  The soda is all natural.  There are no preservatives or chemicals.  The best part about this soda is that not only do you decide what kind of sweetener to use but how much syrup you add to each glass. 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh-picked violets
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 cup sugar (you can use honey or any sweetener of your choice)
• Club Soda
• Vodka (optional)

Instructions for Simple Syrup:

1. Rinse violets thoroughly and place in a glass bowl.
2. Boil water and pour over top of the violets.  Cover with plastic wrap and let sit all night.
3. The next day, strain the liquid into a small saucepan.  Be sure to squeeze all water out of the flowers.  Discard flowers.
4. Add sweetener to saucepan and bring it all to a boil.  Keep whisking until all sweetener is thoroughly mixed.
5. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
6. Pour violet simple syrup into a sterile mason jar.  Refrigerate until chilled.

Instructions for soda:

1. Moisten the rim of a glass and dip it in sugar for a sugar rim.
2. Once syrup is chilled, at an ounce of syrup to your glass and fill glass with club soda.
3. Garnish with fresh violets or freeze violets into ice cubes and add to beverage. 
4. You can also add a dash of vodka to the soda to give your drink a kick.

2. Make a Tea

Another great use is as a restorative tea.  Take 2 teaspoons of dried leaves and one teaspoon of dried flowers and steep in one cup of boiling water for about 5 minutes. Strain out the flowers before drinking.  You can also add a touch of honey for added health benefits.

3. Headache Relief

Native American would make a poultice from the violets to treat headaches.  Violets contain salicylic acid in the flower, which is also found in aspirin.G

4. Garnish a Salad

Violets can also be used in salads.  They are sweet and tangy and make a beautiful garnish.