2,000 Greater & Lesser Mysteries/2,000 Greater and Lesser Mysteries.iso/herb/mys00959.txt

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                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

      LATIN NAME: Viola glabella Nutt.                                       1

                  OTHER LATIN NAMES                                          1
                  COMMON NAMES: Yellow Violet                                1

      PLANT DESCRIPTION                                                      1

                  GENERAL                                                    1
                  BARK                                                       1
                  LEAVES                                                     1
                  FLOWERS                                                    1
                  REPRODUCTION CYCLE                                         2
                  FRUIT/SEEDS                                                2
                  HABITAT                                                    2
                  RANGE                                                      2

      SOME SIMULAR SPECIES                                                   2

                  Viola odorata, Linn.                                       2
                  Viola Langsdorffi (Regel) Fisch.                           3
                  Viola adunca Sm.                                           3
                  Viola epipsila Ledeb. subsp. repens (Turcz.) Becker        3
                  Viola renifolia Gray var. Brainerdii (Greene) Fern.        3
                  Viola sempervirens Greene                                  3

      CLASSIFICATION                                                         3

                  CLASS: VIOLALES                                            4
                  SUBCLASS:                                                  4
                  SUPERORDER:                                                4
                  ORDER:                                                     4
                  FAMILY: Violaceae                                          4
                  SUB-FAMILY:                                                5
                  TRIBE:                                                     5
                  GENUS:                                                     5

      PLANT CHEMISTRY                                                        5

                  CONSTITUENTS                                               6
                  MODE OF ACTION:                                            7
                  TOXICITY                                                   7




                              FOOD USES                                                  8

                  EUROPEAN FOOD USES                                         8
                  ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES                                       10
                  RECIPES                                                   10

      MEDICINAL USES                                                        13

                  NATIVE MEDICINAL USES                                     13
                  EUROPEAN MEDICINAL USES                                   14
                  RUSSIAN MEDICINAL USES                                    22
                  CHINESE MEDICINAL USES                                    22
                  INDIAN (AYURVEDIC) USES                                   24
                  HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINE                                     24
                  CANCER TREATMENT:                                         24
                  PREPARATION & DOSAGES                                     27
                  COLLECTING & DRYING                                       27

      MATERIAL USES                                                         27

                  LITMUS TEST                                               27
                  COSMETICS                                                 27
                  CULTIVATION                                               28
                  DYEING                                                    28

      HISTORY & BELIEFS                                                     28

                  HISTORICAL RECORDS                                        29
                  FLORAL EMBLEMS AND SYMBOLISM:                             30
                  SPIRITUAL BELIEFS                                         30
                  NOMENCLATURE                                              31
                  RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LIFE-FORMS                          32
                  STORIES                                                   32
                  ILLUSTRATIONS                                             33
                  <<WARNING>>                                               33
                  BOOKS NOT CHECKED OFF                                     34
                  INDEX                                                     35



LATIN NAME: Viola glabella Nutt. (342-680, 287-299)

OTHER LATIN NAMES:

COMMON NAMES: Yellow Violet, Stream Violet, Pioneer Violet, Yellow Violet
(287-299); Smooth Yellow Violet (385-212); Huang-hua ts'ao (yellow-flower grass),
huang-kua ts'ai (yellow gourd greens), yeh po-ho (wild mint), hsi t'ung ts'ao,
ya-kua t'eng, mao-mao hsiang, huang-kua hsiang, ti ting-hsiang (Chinese, 88-281);
Fialka Polevaya (Russian), Banaf Shah (India, 215-288); Violette (French),
Veilchen (German), Violetta mammola (Italy), Violeta (Spanish) (381-280, 30-236);
Smooth Violet, Yellow Wood Violet (1-313);

PLANT DESCRIPTION

GENERAL: Aerial stems naked below, leaf and flower bearing only from near tip;
The Smooth Violet is easily recognized by its yellow flowers, carried on smooth,
almost succulent, leafy stems, that are often 9-12 inches tall. (1-313);

BARK: Leaves mostly large, thin, and cordate-based.  Leaf blade reniform to
ovate-cordate, abruptly acute (287-299);  The thin leaves are usually
heart-shaped, with serrate edges, and petioles often three times longer than the
blades. (1-313);

LEAVES: Petals all clear yellow on both surfaces, 8-14 mm, the lower 3
purplish-pencilled within (287-299);  Flowers are very short-spurred.  The lower
3 petals are beautifully purplish-pencilled on the clear yellow.  The inner parts
of the 2 lateral petals, and the tip of the style, are white-bearded.  The 4
upper petals are overlapped, leaving the lowermost distinctively isolated.
(1-303)

FLOWERS:

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 834. "The flowers are full of honey and are
constructed for bee visitors, but bloom before it is really bee time, so that it
is rare that a Violet flower is found setting seed.  There is indeed a remarkable
botanical curiosity in the structure of the Violet:  It produces flowers both in
the spring and in autumn, but the flowers are different.  In spring they are
fully formed, as described, and sweet-scented, but they are mostly barren and
produce no seed, while in autumn, they are very small and insignificant, hidden
away amongst the leaves, with no petals and no scent, and produce abundance of
seed....such plants are called cleistogamous and are all self-fertilizing.  The
cleistogamous flowers of the Violet are like flowers which have aborted instead
of developing, but within each one are a couple of stamens and some unripe
seeds." (141-834)



REPRODUCTION CYCLE:

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 834. "The Violet propagates itself, also,
in another way by throwing out scions, or runners, from the main plant each
summer after flowering, and these in turn send out roots and become new plants,
a process that renders it independent of seed." (141-834)

- 1976 Lewis J. Clerk, Wild Flowers of the Pacific Northwest, 313. "A remarkable
development in this genus is the elaborate nectary.  This structure is a pocket
formed by the joined lower portions of the filaments of the 2 lower stamens,
which extends downward into the spur (itself a tube-like projection of the base
of the lowermost petal).  The anthers of these same 2 stamens then form an
auricle, enclosing the opening to the nectary.  Hence the visiting honeybee (in
the case of Viola species with short spurs), or bumblebee or butterfly (in
long-spurred species), led by the honey-guide pencilling, must bump the anthers
as it probes for nectar.  At the same time the beard-hairs of the lateral petals,
and of the style, comb the pollen collected on the insect's body while visiting
another plant.  The arrangement is both sophisticated and efficient in securing
cross-pollination. (Incidentally, the multi-faceted compound eyes of insects see
edges best.  This fact, and the ability of bees to detect the colour yellow,
accounts for the effectiveness of the pollen-covered loop against the dark
background of the violet petals, as a highly visible target for the zooming
insects.)"  (1-313)

FRUIT/SEEDS:

- 1982 Macropaedia, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Volume 19, 149. "All the families,
except the Stachyuraceae, have true parietal placentation - i.e., with the seeds
attached to the inner wall of the fruit.  This is perhaps the most constant
characteristic of the order.  The fruit is also varied, but usually it is a
capsule, a dry fruit with two or more openings that release the seeds." (EB
19-149

HABITAT: Moist woods or stream edges (287-299); Often occurring in extensive
patches, under the light shade of moist open woods. (1-313);

RANGE: Alaska south, on both sides of the Cascades, to Sierran California, east
to Montana, Northeast Asia (287-299); It ranges from the coast well up into the
mountains from B.C. to California. (1-313);

SOME SIMULAR SPECIES

- Viola odorata, Linn. (Blue Violet, Sweet Violet):  Habitat: Widely found in
Europe, Asia, and the British Isles.  Description:  The leaves are cordate-ovate,
obtuse, with long stalks bearing deflexed hairs.  Flowers blue, with a hooked
stigma, and a short spur inflated at the end and channelled above. (Potter's New
Cyclopaedia).

- Viola Langsdorffi (Regel) Fisch.:  SYN:  V. simulata (287-298); Rootstock
thick; plant lacking stem in the spring, later with well-developed stem; leaves
broadly ovate to reniform, somewhat acute, crenate-serrate, somewhat pubescent,
long-petiolated; stipules ovate-lanceolate; flowers mostly large,
long-pedicellated; sepals ovate-lanceolate; petals bluish-violet, the lateral
bearded; spur short, saccate.  Habitat: Meadows, along streams, snow beds.
(342-681); Moist to boggy areas (287-298);  Range:  Alaska south along coast to
South Oregon, Asia; Aleutian violet (287-298);

- Viola adunca Sm. (Western Dog Violet, Blue Violet, Hook Violet):  Stems from
slender rootstock; leaves cordate, ovate, obtuse, finely crenate, often more or
less brown-dotted, pubescent, expecially in margin and on veins below, or nearly
completely glabrous; stipules linear-lanceolate, mostly with long,
glandular-tipped teeth; sepals lance-linear; petals violet or bluish-violet,
often whitish at base, the lateral pair white-bearded; spur slender, obtuse,
often hooked; cleistogamous flowers occur.  Habitat:  Dry to moist meadows,
woods, and open ground. (342-682); Range:  Common in much of North America, in
our area on both sides of Cascades, but more common in eastern Cascades
(287-298);

- Viola epipsila Ledeb. subsp. repens (Turcz.) Becker (Marsh Violet):  SYN: Viola
repens Turez.; V. achyrophora Greene; V. palustris of American authors in
part.(342-683);  Long, horizontal, thin, filiform rootstock with long runners
from upper part; leaves thin, cordate-ovate, somewhat acute, glabrous on both
sides; stem glabrous, with pair of bracts in upper part; sepals oblong-ovate,
blunt; petals lilac, the lower with darker veins; spur short, thick, 2-3 times
longer than auricles of calyx.  Habitat:  Wet meadows, peaty soil, brooksides,
in the mountains to at least 1,800 meters. (342-683);

- Viola renifolia Gray var. Brainerdii (Greene) Fern.  (342-683):  SYN: Viola
Brainerdii Greene. (342-683);  Acaulescent; rootstock comparatively thick,
ascending, lacking stolons; leaves cordate-orbicular to reniform,
crenate-serrulate, glabrous on both sides or somewhat pubescent on veins beneath;
petals beardless, white with purple stripes; both cleistogamous and normal
flowers occur.  Habitat:  Moist woods, swamps (342-683);

- Viola sempervirens Greene (Redwood Violet):  Perennial herb with slender,
creeping stems rooting at nodes.  Leaves all basal, round-ovate to heart shaped,
scalloped leaf margin.  Stipules ovate to awl shaped, brown, thin.  Flowers all
basal. Petals 5, light yellow, the 3 lower petals with faint purple veins, the
lateral ones bearded at base.  Petal spur 1-2 mm long, pouchlike.  Fruit a
round-ovoid capsule with purple mottling, opening with 3 values.  Seed brown with
purple.  Self-fertilizing flowers in axils of stolons.  Flowering:  Feb-Jun.
Fruiting:  March-July. Coast Ranges from Monterey County, California, to British
Columbia, in moist, shaded sites.  Below 1200 m elevation. (385-212)

CLASSIFICATION

CLASS: VIOLALES

- 1982 Macropaedia, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Volume 19, 148. "An order of nine
families of dicotyledons...The dicots, as they are sometimes called, are
broad-leaved plants with net-veined leaves and flower parts most often in fours
and fives.  The nine Violales families are the Bixaceae, Cistaceae (Rockrose),
Cochlospermaceae, Flacourtiaceae, Lacistemataceae, Peridiscaceae,
Scyphostegiaceae, Stachyuraceae, and the Violaceae (violet).  With the exception
of the Cistaceae and the Violaceae, the order Violales is restricted to the
tropical regions of the world.  The majority of the members of these families are
trees and shrubs, though many herbs are found in the families Cistaceae and
Violaceae.  Rarely, if ever, dominant in vegatation, members of the Violales
order are usually found as low vegatation beneath the higher trees of forests."
(19-148)

- 1982 Macropaedia, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Volume 19, 150. "Some authorities
include as many as 21 families.  All of the families of the Violales, as
described, have been placed in other orders by various authorities, and most of
these nine families have been divided into additional families or lumped into
fewer families." (EB 19-150)

SUBCLASS:

SUPERORDER:

ORDER:

FAMILY: Violaceae

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 834. "The Violet family comprises over 200
species, widely distributed in the temperate and tropical regions of the world,
those natives of Europe, Northern Asia and North America being wholly herbaceous,
whilst others, native of tropical America and South America, where they are
abundant, are trees and shrubs." (141-834)

- 1972 Frances Perry, Flowers of the World, 305. "22 genera and 900 species."
(244-305)

- 1978 V.H. Heywood, Flowering Plants of the World, 101. "The chief genera are
Viola (about 400 species, mainly north temperate herbs but some small shrubs),
Rinorea (Alsodeia, about 340 species of tropical and warm temperate shrubs),
Hymenanthera (seven species of shrubs from Australia, New Zealand and Norfolk
Island), Paypayrola (seven species of tropical South American trees), Hybanthus
(about 150 species of herbs from tropics and subtropics), Anchietea (eight
species of shrubs and climbers from tropical South America), Leonia (six species
of tropical South American shrubs) and Corynostylis (four species of tropical
American shrubs)." (118-101)

- 1982 Macropaedia, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Volume 19, 149. "Herbs, shrubs, and
small trees with alternate, entire or variously dissected, stipulate leaves.
Flowers of tropical species mostly regular, of temperate species zygomorphic
(bilaterally symmetric).  Sepals 5, separate, sometimes spurred.  Petals 5, the
lowermost with a saccate spur, in which the spurs of the 2 lower stamens are
inserted.  Petals variously coloured, sometimes bicoloured or tricoloured.
Stamens 5, with short filaments, introse (opening inwards).  Pistil 1, carpels
3.  Placentation parietal, fruit a 3-valued capsule.  Seeds with straight embryo
and fleshy endosperm.  Cleistogamous (closed at maturity) flowers with aborted
petals and 2 small stamens are produced by most species of Viola and Hybanthus.
Sixteen genera and about 850 species found on all continents." (EB 19-150)

SUB-FAMILY:

TRIBE:

GENUS:

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 834. "The genus Viola contains about 100
species, of which five are natives of Great Britain." (141-834)

- 1970 Brian D. Morley, Wild Flowers of the World, 18. "North temperate species
of Viola, generally known as violets or pansies, are herbs, but elsewhere may
occur as shrubby plants.  The 500 species in the genus are characterized by
stalked flowers of bilateral construction where the lower petal develops into a
spur; the sepals have outgrowths at their point of insertion and the stamens are
fused in a ring around the ovary." (258-18)

- 1970 Brian D. Morley, Wild Flowers of the World, 18. "Violets have long been
considered a romantic or sentimental symbol, yet they are among the most wayward
and dissolute of flowers, perplexing botanists by their readiness to interbreed
with other species, making their identification difficult.  Hybrids frequently
occur in the wild, especially between the North American species, while the
Garden Pansy, V.x wittrockiana, is apparently derived from hybridization betwen
V. tricolor and V. lutea which took place in British gardens at the beginning of
the 19th century." (258-18)

- 1970 Brian D. Morley, Wild Flowers of the World, 18. "Seed raising and
selection on a large scale led to the development of some four hundred named
pansies by 1835."

- 1972 Frances Perry, Flowers of the World, 305. "The most important genus for
the garden is Viola with some 500 species." (244-305)

- 1984 Laura C. Martin, Wildflower Folklore, 55. "There are about eighty species
of violets in the United States." (399-55)

PLANT CHEMISTRY
CONSTITUENTS:

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 837. "The chief chemical constitutents of
the flowers are the odorous principle and the blue colouring matter, which may
be extracted from the petals by infusion with water and turns green and
afterwards yellow with alkalis and red with acids.  The flowers yield their odour
and slightly bitter taste to boiling water and their properties may be preserved
for some time by means of sugar in the form of Syrup of Violets." (141-837)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 837. "A glucoside, Viola-quercitin, is also
a constituent, found throughout the plant and especially in the rhizome. It may
be isolated by exhausting the fresh plant with warm alcohol, removing the alcohol
by distillation and treating the residue with warm distilled water, from which
it crystallizes in fine yellow needles, which are soluble in water, less so in
alcohol and insoluble in ether.  On boiling with mineral acids, the glucoside is
split up into quercitin and a fermentable sugar.  The activity of the plant,
according to the British Pharmacopoeia, is probably due to this glucoside and its
products of decomposition, or a ferment associated with it." (141-838)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 838. "Salicylic acid has also been obtained
from the plant." (141-838)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 838. "The scientist Boullary discovered in
the root, leaves, flowers and seeds of this plant an alkaloid resembling the
Emetin of Ipecacuanha (which also belongs to the same group of plants), which he
termed Violine.  The same alkaloid was found by the French physician Orfila
(1787-1853) to be an energetic poison, which may be identical with Emetin."
(141-838)

- 1975 Francesco Bianchini, Health Plants of the World, 92. "Wild Pansy (Viola
tricolor):  Its medicinal properties were well known in antiquity as shown by the
writings of Hippocrates, Dioscorides, and the Arab and mediaeval physicians.  The
drug is usually extracted from the flowers, although the entire plant contains
active ingredients
including sugars, tannin, saponins, traces of violine and a glycoside known as
violaquercitrin." (90-92)

- 1975 Francesco Bianchini, Health Plants of the World, 88. "The drug comes from
the flowers, and contains mucilage, a special alkaloid and a blue colorant."
(90-88)

- 1977 Zennie & Ogzewalla, Ascorbic acid and Vitamin A content of Edible Wild
Plants of Ohio and Kentucky, Economic Botany 31; 76-79. "The common blue violet
of the southern part of our range, V. papilionacea, its basal leaves when
collected in the spring have been found to contain 264 mg of (Vitamin C) ascorbic
acid per 100 grams of leaves in comparison to oranges which contain 50 mg per 100
grms of orange; and 20,000 mg per 100 grams of Vitamin A. in comparison to
spinach which contains 8,100 mg per 100 grams of spinach." (369-332)
- 1980 David G. Spoerke, Herbal Medications, 167. "Viola odorata, V. pedapa:
Sweet violet is said to contain myrosin and several other unidentified
glycosides." (135-176)

- 1982 Jeanne Rose, Jeanne Rose's Kitchen Cosmetics, 43. "Violet leaves,
according to Euell Gibbons' study, contain 83% water, 210 mg/100 g ascorbic acid,
8258 I.U./100 g Pro-vitamin A." (308-43)

- 1982 Jeanne Rose, Jeanne Rose's Kitchen Cosmetics, 43. "Some modern studies of
these plants show that they have a very high content of salicylic acid (a
relative of aspirin), iron, Vitamin C and Vitamin A." (308-43)

MODE OF ACTION:

- 1978 Globe and Mail on 6th of Feb. "A five year Canada wide study under Dr.
Henry Barnett, head of neurology at the University of Western Ontario, London,
found that ASA (Acetosalicylic acid or aspirin) is effective, particularly among
males, in preventing major strokes among patients who have already had little
strokes....However no scientifically controlled studies have been done among
apparently healthy people to see if taking ASA might reduce initial heart
attackr.  The ralicylic acid found in violets is an active disinfectant and
tissue solvent rarely given by mouth.  It is applied externally in ointments to
sofen hard skin, corns and warts, it is also fungicidal.  ASA is thought to owe
its ability to relieve pain to the acetyl group it contains." (369-330)

- 1980 David G. Spoerke, Herbal Medications, 167. "As far back as 500 B.C.,
violets have been recommended as a poultice for surface cancer.  In the 18th
century, the medical literature again recommended violets for the treatment of
cancers.  One 1960 experiment done on cancerous mice did show that a violet
extract caused damage to cancers harbored by the mice.  There has been little
experimentation since this to further substantiate antineoplastic activity, or
to indicate what in violet may produce these effects." (135-168)

- 1980 David G. Spoerke, Herbal Medications, 168. "More research needs to be done
on sweet violet before any conclusions can be drawn on its activity.  At this
point, it does appear to have some mucous membrane irritant effects that may
cause catharsis or provide it with an expectorant action.  There may also be some
antineoplastic activity." (135-168)

TOXICITY:

- 1980 David G. Spoerke, Herbal Medications, 168. "The flowers and seeds of the
violet are reported to be edible.  The seed, however, may produce a dramatic
cathartic effect." (135-168)

- 1977 Lewis & Elvin-Lewis, Medical Botany, 35. "The roots and seeds of the
cultivated sweet violet, V. odorata can cause severe stomach upset, nervousness,
trouble with breathing and the circulation of the blood that can be serious if
a large dose has been taken." (369-330)

FOOD USES

EUROPEAN FOOD USES:

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 835. "Violets were also and still are used
in cookery, especially by the French.  'Vyolette:  Take flowrys of Vyolet, boyle
hem, presse hem, bray (pound) hem smal,' and the recipe continues that they are
to be mixed with milk and floure of rys and sugar or honey, and finally to be
coloured with Violets.  A recipe called Mon Amy directs the cook to 'plant it
with flowers of Violets and serve forth.' " (141-835)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 835. "Violets impart their odour to
liquids, and vinegar derives not only a brilliant tint, but a sweet odour from
having Violet flowers steeped in it." (141-835)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 835. "Syrup of Violet with Lemon Syrup and
acetic acid makes an excellent dish in summer.  The Syrup forms a principal
ingredient in Oriental sherbet." (141-835)

- 1967 H.D. Harrington, Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains, 152.
"Apparently all species of violets are edible, even the garden varieties.  We
have tried about ten native species and found them all good, with no
objectionable flavour or harsh bitterness in any of them...The leaves and buds
are best in the spring, but even in late summer young leaves can be selected that
will make an acceptable salad.  We have found raw violet leaves tender and good
but perhaps just a bit flat tasting when eaten alone." (376-152)

- 1967 H.D. Harrington, Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains, 152. "The
leaves and flowers can be boiled to make an acceptable potherb.  Again we like
to use them mixed with other plants of more pronounced taste.  Violets are often
used to thicken soup, especially in the southern part of the United States where
they may be called "wild okra"." (376-152)

- 1967 H.D. Harrington, Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains, 153. "The
flowers can be candied like rose petals and have been used to give a flavor to
vinegar....The flowers are crammed into a bottle, as many as can be conveniently
forced in, then white wine vinegar is added.  This is corked and allowed to stand
for about 4 weeks.  Then the vinegar is strained and used as "violet vinegar."
(376-153)

- 1967 H.D. Harrington, Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains, 154. "The
violet leaves make a good substitute for tea.  In fact, many of the old timers
in this area fondly recall that they drank delicious violet-leaf tea when they
were children (Bagdonas, 11A).  We have tried tea made from several species
including Viola canadensis, V. rugulosa, V. nuttallii, V. nephrophylla and V.
papilionacea. Long boiling does not make the tea bitter, and a little added sugar
improves the taste to us.  Violet-leaf tea is for sale in a few food stores of
this area." (376-154)

- 1974 Kay N. Sanecki, The Complete Book of Herbs, 186. "It was at the time of
the restoration that the favorite French "Vyolette" became a recipe to be used
in England:  Macerated, boiled violet flowers were used to impart color to rice
flour which was mixed with warm milk and sweetened with honey or sugar.
Sometimes one finds this sweet referred to as "violate paste" and it was largely
consumed by "persons of quality" with some enthusiasm because it was supposedly
endowed with health-giving properties." (30-186)

- 1976 Billy Joe Tatum, Wild Foods Cookbook and Field Guide, 100. "All violet
flowers are edible, and the leaves are delicious in a mixed salad or in the
greens pot.  If you want to freeze violet blossoms to use out of season in syrup,
rinse them, shake off the water, and store them in the freezer in a plastic
carton." (325-100)

- 1976 Lewis J. Clerk, Wild Flowers of the Pacific Northwest, 313. "..the
primitive use of plants for food is found in 'A Botanical Study of the Stomach
Contents of the Tollund Man.'  Deep in the peat at Tollund in Denmark, in May
1950, was found the body of a man, preserved for more than 2000 years....He had
been able to find and eat only a few plants...European Viola arvensis." (1-313)

- 1981 Tom Stobart, Herbs Spices and Flavorings, 280. "The flavour of sweet
violets, which may be extracted by infusing the flowers, is sometimes used for
flavouring creams, ices and liqueurs.  It is the main flavouring for very sweet,
violet-coloured liqueur, parfait amour.  Violet flowers are preserved in sugar
as crystallized violets, used mainly for decoration, but are sometimes crushed
as a flavouring.  The fresh flowers and the leaves are harmless and may decorate
salads or garnish meat dishes, particularly veal.  One violet salad is made with
endive, celery, parsley, olive, and violets dressed with olive oil, salt, pepper,
wine and vinegar." (381-280)

- 1982 Macropaedia, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Volume 19, 148. "Wild violets are
also used, in a variety of ways, as food.  They may be eaten raw, in salads, or
cooked in many ways.  Wine and sugar syrups are made from them.  They have been
used in making candy, especially in France, and large violet plantations in
southern France obtain perfume from the petals." (EB 19-149)

- 1984 Kim Williams, Eating Wild Plants, 11.  "Almost the entire violet plant can
be eaten - leaves, flowers, unopened buds and root crowns...Violet vinegar can
be made by adding blossoms to white wine vinegar....You can dry the leaves for
tea....In Egypt and Turkey there is a drink called sorbet, which is violet sugar
dissolved in water." (341-11)

- 1984 Kim Williams, Eating Wild Plants, 11.  "In the Southern United States
there is a violet that is called wild okra because it is used to give soup the
same mucilaginous quality okra does."
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES:

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 835. "A wine made from the flowers of the
Sweet Violet (V. odorata) was much used by the Romans." (131-835)

- 1974 Kay N. Sanecki, The Complete Book of Herbs, 186. "Wine was made from
violet flowers by the Romans, and, conversely, they wound garlands of the plant
around their heads to ward off the effects of intoxication during prolonged
drinking feasts." (30-186)

- 1981 Tom Stobart, Herbs Spices and Flavorings, 280. "The flavour of sweet
violets, which may be extracted by infusing the flowers, is sometimes used for
flavouring creams, ices and liqueurs.  It is the main flavouring for very sweet,
violet-coloured liqueur, parfait amour." (381-280)

RECIPES:

A FOURTEENTH-CENTURY RECIPE TO CANDY VIOLETS

"Take flourys of vyolet and boyle them, presse them, tempre them uppe wyth
almounds mylke or gode cowe mylke and bye it wyth almound flor and flore of rys.
Sygre yt enow and putte cream thereto colour yt wyth the same floures be on
above." (1974 Kay N. Sanecki, The Complete Book of Herbs, 185.)

(1)  SYRUP OF VIOLETS: (141-835)

     "To 1 lb. of Sweet Violet flowers freshly picked, add 2 1/2 pints of boiling
water, infuse these for twenty-four hours in a glazed china vessel, then pour off
the liquid and strain it gently through muslin; afterwards add double its weight
of the finest loaf sugar and make it into a syrup, but without letting it boil."

     (1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 835.)

(2) A recipe from a seventeenth century recipe book:  'Sirrup of Violets'

     'Take a quantity of Blew Violets, clip off the whites and pound them well
in a stone morter; then take as much fair running water as will sufficiently
moysten them and mix with the Violets; strain them all; and to every halfe pint
of the liquor put one pound of the best loafe sugar; set it on the fire, putting
the sugar in as it melts, still stirring it; let it boyle but once or twice att
the most; then take it from the fire, and keep it to your use.  This is a daynty
sirrup of Violets.'
       (1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 835.)

(3)  VIOLET GREENS SOUP: (325-130)

     2 cups (packed) of heart-shaped violet leaves, stems removed
     1 cup (packed) watercress, coarse stems removed
     4 tablespoons butter or margarine
     4 wild leeks (white parts), finely chopped
     2 1/2 cups of water
     4 tablespoons of cornstarch
     2 cups of heavy cream
        Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

      Garnish:  Handful of violet blossoms, stems removed.

      1. Rinse and drain the violet leaves and watercress.  Chop the leaves.
      2. Melt the butter in a skillet over low heat and cook the greens and the
      leeks for about 15 minutes, stirring often.  Set off heat and add 2 cups
      of the water.
      3. Mix cornstarch with remaining 1/2 cups of water and stir into the
      skillet of greens.
      4. Return to medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring until thickened.
      5. Gradually add cream and continue to heat till thoroughly warmed.
      Season with salt and pepper.
      6. Pour into a warmed soup tureen.  Adorn the top with violet flowers just
      before serving. Serves 6.

(1976 Bill Joe Tatum, Wild Foods Field Guide and Cookbook, 130)

(4)  VIOLET GREENS: (325-170)

     Among the most delicious and widely available greens are the leaves of the
violets - the heart-shaped or roundish kinds, not the branched leaves of the
bird-foot violet, whose flowers are the edible part.  Gather plenty of leaves,
pull off any coarse stems, and cook like other greens. Cooking time will be about
10 minutes.

(1976 Bill Joe Tatum, Wild Foods Field Guide and Cookbook, 170)

(5)  VIOLET SYRUP (MODERN): (325-240)

     After this syrup has been opened it is wise to keep it refrigerated to
prevent mold.  It's really fine on Cat-Tail Pollen Pancakes or other light hot
cakes.  It will not have much taste of violets if wild violets are used, since
they have very little fragrance, but the color is lively and the slight lemony
flavor is pleasant.

     2 cups (packed) violet blossoms, stemmed
     1/2 cup water
     2 cups sugar
     1 tablespoon lemon extract (or violet flavoring extract)

     1.  Put violets in the jar of an electric blender with the water and blend
      on medium speed for 3 minutes, or till the flowers are in tiny particles.
     2.  Pour the violet puree into a saucepan, set it over medium heat, and add
      sugar and lemon or violet flavoring.
     3.  Bring just to a boil, then let cool until lukewarm.

(1976 Bill Joe Tatum, Wild Foods Field Guide and Cookbook, 240)

(6)  VIOLET CLOUD: (325-200)

     This lovely frozen dessert with its tint of lavender is an elegant finish
for a feast and it's also a delightful afternoon refreshment, served alone or
with Ginger Sugar Cookies.

     1 package of lemon-flavored gelatin dessert
     1 cup freshly picked violets, stems removed, packed lightly
     1 quart Vanilla Ice Cream
     1 cup of heavy cream
    16 Candied Violets

     1. Make up gelatin dessert according to the directions on the package.  Chill until only partly set, not firm.
     2. Put violets in the jar of a blender and run blender at high speed until
      they are almost liquid.
     3. Take out about half of the violets and reserve them.
     4. Add half of the ice cream to the violet puree in the jar into a freezer
      container or metal bowl and repeat the blending with the rest of the ice
      cream and violets.  Add to the first batch.
     5. Put bowl of ice-cream mixture in freezer.
     6. Whip cream until it forms stiff peaks.
     7. Whip the partially set gelatin till it is frothy.
     8. Quickly fold the whipped cream and the ice-cream mixture into the fluffed
      gelatin.
     9. Pour into long-stemmed dessert glasses and refrigerate until firm.
    10. At serving time, top each glass with a couple of candied violets.

(1976 Bill Joe Tatum, Wild Foods Field Guide and Cookbook, 200)

(7)  CANDIED VIOLETS OR CANDIED ROSE OR YUCCA PETALS: (325-249)

     These lovely, frail confections can be kept for a year, or perhaps longer,
when correctly stored.  The violets tend to lose some color as they age, but if
they are fully crystallized they remain tasty and delightful for use as a candy
or as a decoration on desserts.

     2 egg whites
       A large bunch of violets, stems and all Granulated sugar,
       preferably superfine.

     1.  Preheat oven to 200~
     2.  Beat the egg whites with a wire whip just until frothy.
     3.  Pick up one violet at a time by its stem and dip it into the beaten egg
      whites, covering all surfaces.  Then gently dip the violet into the sugar.
      Be sure all the petals are sugared, top and bottom.
     4.  Place each violet in turn on a cookie sheet covered with waxed paper and
      snip off the stem.  Open the petals to their original shape, using a
      toothpick, and sprinkle flowers again with sugar if there are any uncoated
      spots.
     5.  Dry in a 200~ oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or till the sugar crystallizes.
     6.  Gently lift the violets from the cookie sheet with a 2-tined fork or
      spatula.  Sprinkle again with sugar if they appear syrupy to any degree.
     7.  Cool on racks and store in an airtight container.  Be sure to put waxed
      paper between the layers of violets, which shouldn't touch each other.

(1976 Bill Joe Tatum, Wild Foods Field Guide and Cookbook, 249)

OTHER RECIPES:

- Violet and Wood Sorrel Salad (325-178)
- Crystallized Violets (30-186, 30-63)

MEDICINAL USES

NATIVE MEDICINAL USES:

- 1785 Rev. Manasseh Cutler, An Account of Some of the Vegetable Productions,
Naturally Growing in this part of America.  Violets with yellow flowers. "It is
said the Indians applied the bruised leaves of violets to boils and painful
swellings for the purpose of easing the pain and producing suppuration."
(369-332)

- 1820 J.G.E. Heckewelder, A Narrative of the Mission of the United Brethren
among the Delaware and Mohegan Indians, 229. "Indeed it is in the cure of
external wounds that they particularly excel...I once for two days suffered the
most excruciating pain from a felon or whitlow on one of my fingers, which
deprived me entirely of sleep.  I had recourse to an Indian woman who in less
than half an hour relieved me entirely by the simple application of a poultice
made of the root of the common blue violet." (369-329)

- 1885 W.J. Hoffman, The Midewiwin or Grand Medicine Society of the Ojibwa,
OJIBWA 201. "Downy Yellow Violet (V. pubescens Ait.): A decoction is made of the
roots, of which small doses are taken at intervals for sore throat." (369-332)

- 1885 W.J. Hoffman, The Midewiwin or Grand Medicine Society of the Ojibwa,
OJIBWA 201. "Canada Violet (V. canadensis L.):  The decoction made of the root
used for pains in the region of the bladder." (369-332)

- 1929 Harlow Brooks, The Medicine of the American Indians, 529. "Diaphoretics
were in very general use...such a practice is, as you know, very common with us
and is especially used by many of the best French clinicians in the form of
decoctions or infusions of violet flowers." (369-330)

- 1932 Huron H. Smith, Ethnobotany of the Ojibwe, OJIBWE 392. "The whole plant
(V. conspersa Reichenb.) is used by the Flambeau Ojibwe to make a tea for heart
trouble." (369-332)

- 1933 Huron H. Smith, Ethnobotany of the POTAWATOMI 87. "Downy Yellow Violet (V.
pubescens Ait.): Make a medicine from the root for treating various heart
diseases." (369-332)

- 1970 Virgil J. Vogel, American Indian Medicine, 386. "In colonial times Indians
applied the bruised leaves of an unidentified species of yellow violet to boils
and painful swellings to ease pain and promote suppuration." (146-386)

- 1970 Virgil J. Vogel, American Indian Medicine, 387. "Two species of violet (V.
cucullata Ait. and v. beckwithii) were used medicinally by the Ute Indians.  The
Ojibwas used a decoction of the roots of tall white violet (V. canadensis L.) for
pains in the region of the bladder, and downy yellow violet (V. pubescens Ait.)
for sore throat.  The root of the last-named species has been used by the
Potawatomis for a heart medicine.  It has been the source of an extract used by
whites as an emetic and alterative.  The Flambeau Ojibwas used the whole plant
of V. conspersa Reich., for a tea used in heart trouble." (146-387)

EUROPEAN MEDICINAL USES:

- Antiseptic, expectorant.  Violet leaves contain certain glucosidal principles,
not yet fully investigated, but of distinct antiseptic properties. The flowers
possess expectorant properties, and have long been used in syrup form for coughs,
colds, etc. (Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations)

- 1475 Thorleif Bjornsson, The Leechbook of Thorleif Bjornsson, Icelandic mss.
transl. Larsen 135. "Viola is wet and cold in the first degree and is of three
kinds...And they all have about one strength in leechdom. If one crushes it, that
is good to apply to burns. If a man's head is heavy from meat or drink, then it
is good to drink violets.  If one has on his head a wreath of violets, it drives
away vipers with its smell...If drunk with water, the root of violets crushed
with myrrh and saffron is good to apply for eyes in which is great heat.  Leaves
of violet crushed with myrrh and saffron is good to apply for eyes in which is
great heat.  Leaves of violet crushed with honey are good to rub upon boils of
the head...If one drinks violets it is good for a hot stomach and dry...Oil of
violets or roses is good for a cough and many kinds of disease.  If one crushes
roots of violets with vinegar it is good to apply for swelling of the feet, cools
sweetly the body and gives sleep...180.  Oil which is made of violets or of the
stems of violets or of the berries of violet which men in Norse call hof-gras,
and rub a man over the liver, that takes away all the heat of the fever or other
disease.  But if the navel is rubbed, that speedily produces sweating." (369-329)
- 1597 John Gerard, Gerard's Herball, 198. "..addressing my selfe unto the
Violets called the blacke or purple violets, or March Violets of the garden,
which have a great prerogative above others, not only because the mind conceiveth
a certain pleasure and recreation by smelling and handling those most odoriferous
floures, but also for that very many by these violets receive ornament and comely
grace; for there be made of them garlands for the head, nosegaies and poesies,
which are delightfull to looke on and pleasant to smel to, speaking nothing of
their appropriat vertues; yea gardens themselves receive by these the greatest
ornament of all, chiefest beauty, and most excellant grace, and the recreation
of the minde which is taken hereby cannot be but very good and honest; for they
admonish and stirre up a man to that which is comely and honest; for floures
through their beauty, variety of colour, and exquisit forme, do bring to a
liberall and gentle manly minde, the remembrance of honeste, comlinesse, and all
kindes of vertues:  for it would be an unseemly and filthy thing (as a certain
wise man saith) for him that doth looke upon and handle faire and beautiful
things, to have his mind not faire, but filthy and deformed." (387-198)

- 1597 John Gerard, Gerard's Herball, 200. "The Virtues.  The floures are good
for all inflammations, especially of the sides and lungs; they take away the
hoarsenesse of the chest, the ruggednesse of the winde-pipe and jawes, and take
away thirst.  There is likewise made of Violets and sugar certaine plates called
Sugar violet, Violet tables, or Plate, which is most pleasant and wholesome,
expecially it comforteth the heart and the other inward parts." (387-200)

- 1612 Capt. John Smith, Description of Virginia and Proceedings of the Colony,
92. "Many herbes in the spring time there are commonly dispersed throughout the
woods, good for broths and sallets, as Violets, Purslin, Sorrell &c. Besides many
we used whose name we know not." (369-329)

- 1633 Gerarde-Johnson, The Herball or General History of Plants Gathered by John
Gerarde of London, Master in Chirurgerie.  Very Much Enlarged by Thomas Johnson,
Apothecary of London Norton and Whitakers, 852. "The floures are good for all
inflammations especially of the sides and lungs; they take away the hoarsenesse
of the chest, the ruggednesse of the winde-pipe and jaws, allay the extream heate
of the liver, kidneys and bladder; mitigate the fierie heate of burning agues;
temper the sharpness of choler, and take away thirst.  There is an oyl made of
Violet, which is likewise cold and moist.  The same being annointed upon the
testicles, doth gently provoke sleepe which is hindered by a hot and dry
distemper: mixed or laboured together in a woodden dish with the yelke of an egg,
it asswageth the pain of the fundament and hemorrhoides:  it is likewise good to
be put into cooling clisters, and into pultesses that coole and ease pain...The
later Physitians do thinke it good to mix dry Violets with medicines that are to
comfort and strengthen the heart." (369-329)

- 1640 Nicholas Culpeper, Culpeper's Complete Herbal, 380. "GOVERMENT AND VIRTUES
(Viola odorata):  It is a fine, pleasing plant of Venus, of a mild nature, and
no way hurtful.  It is cold and moist while fresh and green, and is used to cool
any heat or distemperature of the body, either inwardly or outwardly, as
inflammations in the eyes, in the matrix or fundament, in imposthumes also, and
hot swellings, to drink the decoction of the leaves and flowers made with water
or wine, or to apply them as poultices to the affected parts; it eases pains in
the head, caused through want of sleep; or any pains arising from heat, if
applied in the same manner, or with oil of roses.  A dram weight of the dried
leaves or flowers purges the body of choleric humous, if taken in a draught of
wine or other drink; the powder of the purple leaves of the flowers, only picked
and dried, and drank in water, helps the quinsy, the falling-sickness in
children, especially at the beginning of the disease.  The flowers of the white
Violets ripen and dissolve swellings.  The herb or flowers, while they are fresh,
or the flowers that are dry, are effectual in the pleurisy, and all diseases of
the lungs, to lenify the sharpness of hot rheums, and hoarseness of the throat,
heat and sharpness of urine, and all pains of the back, or reins, and bladder."
(144-380)

- 1799 William Lewis, An Experimental History of the Materia Medica, 6th Edition,
260. "The flowers officinal, syrup from infusion useful laxative for children.
Seeds more purgative, sometimes emetic." (369-329)

- 1830 C.S. Rafinesque, Medical Flora or manual of Medical Botany of the United
States, Vol. 1, 275. "Prolific genus, we have nearly 40 native species.
Properties more or less alike in all.  Roots commonly mild emetic and cathartic,
leaves emollient laxative, blossoms and seeds laxative, pectoral, &c.  All the
parts contain the 'Violine', a peculiar kind of Emetine.  Flowers of the fragrant
V. odorata cult. much used for a grateful tea and syrup, used for cough,
sore-throat, constipation, often given to children.  We have only two fragrant
wild (species that are equivalent) V. canadensis and blanda, smell sweeter but
fainter.  Roots bitterish acrid, tonic in doses of 10 grains, purgative 25 to 30,
emetic 40-50, also used as depurative in diseases of the skin. V. tricolor,
arvensis and calcarata used in Europe, their leaves also purgative.  We use
chiefly V. clandestina, rotundifolia, palmata, heterophylla, sometimes called
Healall.  Leaves emollient, suppurative, used for wounds, and sores, bruised or
in poultices.  Elliot says that the negroes eat the leaves of the two last in
soups." (369-329)

- 1833 George Howard, Private Notes, Quebec mss. 107. "To cure the Stone take a
teaspoonful of Violet seed morning and evening." (369-329)

- 1841 Trousseau & Pidoux, Traite de Therapeutique et de Matiere Medicale,
France transl. "Homeopathic medicine uses violet flowers to allay
inflammation..do not bleed, purge gently with violets.  They are also emetic."
(369-329)

- 1842 Robert Christison, A Dispensatory or Commentary on the Pharmacopoeias of
Great Britain, 944. "Take of fresh violet petals two pounds; boiling water five
pints, infuse for twenty four hours; strain liquor through a fine cloth without
expression; and then add 15 lbs of sugar to make a syrup,...violet is principally
used as a test of alkalinity and acidity, being rendered green by alkalis and red
by acids.  It is sometimes also employed for imparting colour or fragrance to
mixtures of other drugs...its syrup is laxative to children...the roots of this
and other species of the genus 'Viola', they all contain a principle analogous
in external character to the emeta of ipecacuan, and possessing, like that
alkaloid, powerful emetic properties. (Boullay). It has not been particularly
examined, but seems an alkaloid, and is termed Violina.  This observation
accounts for the emetic virtues long ascribed to the roots of various species of
violet, - virtues so remarkable in the opinion of some, as to deserve more
attention than the subject has hitherto received." (369-330)

- 1859-61 John D. Gunn, New Domestic Physician or Home Book of Health, 878.
"Viola pedata L. (Bird's Foot Violet): Both the herb and the root are used in
medicine. Mucilaginous, alterative, diuretic, and slightly laxative.  Used in
infusion in affections of the lungs, coughs, consumption and the like, and in
diseases of the kidneys and urinary organs, where a mucilaginous diuretic is
needed.  Said to be a powerful antisyphilitic remedy." (369-332)

- 1868 Can. Pharm. J. 6; 83-5.  The plant of blue violet, V. pedata included in
the list of Can. medicinal plants. (369-332)

- 1892 Charles F. Millspaugh, American Medicinal Plants, an Illustrated and
Descriptive Guide to Plants Indigenous to and Naturalized in the United States
which are used in Medicine, 27. "Salicylic Acid.  This acid, so far in its
history, has been rarely extracted under its own form from
plants...Mandelin..(after) careful analysis of Viola tricolor, reports...a
proportion of from 0.43 per cent in cultivated plants to..107 per cent in var.
arvensis.  He finds it in all parts of the fresh plants and principally in the
roots, stems and leaves. Violin,....was found in V. odorata..and V. tricolor..as
well as in Viola pedata..A mixture of one part of the juice of this plant (V.
odorata) with ten parts of water, will form a jelly like mass....This property
has given various uses to Viola as an expectorant, emollient, and infusion for
coughs and bronchial affections...The emetic effect of some of the violets, due
to the presence of violin...The most characteristic symptom of its action is an
offensive odor of the urine, like that of the cat...On the skin it causes
burning, stinging and itching, followed by...eruptions." (369-330)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 835. "Violets were mentioned frequently by
Homer and Virgil.  They were used by the Athenians 'to moderate anger,' to
procure sleep and 'to comfort and strengthen the heart.'  Pliny prescribes a
liniment of Violet root and vinegar for gout and disorder of the spleen, and
states that a garland or chaplet of Violets worn about the head will dispel the
fumes of wine and prevent headaches and dizziness...and in the Anglo-Saxon
translation of the Herbarium of Apuleius (tenth century), the herb V. purpureum
is recommended 'for new wounds and eke for old' and for 'hardness of the maw.'"
(141-835)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 835. "Askham's 'Herbal' has this recipe for
insomnia under Violet:
                  'For the that may not slepe for sickness seeth this herb in water
      and at even let him soke well hys feete in the water to the ancles,
      wha he goeth to bed, bind of this herbe to his temples.' (141-835)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 838. "Violet flowers possess slightly
laxative properties.  The best form of administration is the Syrup of Violets.
'Syrop Violae' of the British Pharmacopoeia directs that it may be given as a
laxative to infants in doses of 1/2 to 1 teaspoonful, or more, with an equal
volume of oil of Almonds." (141-838)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 838. "Syrup of Violets is also employed as
a laxative, and as a colouring agent and flavouring in other neutral or acid
medicines." (141-838)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 838. "The older writers had great faith in
Syrup of Violets:  ague, epilepsy, inflammation of the eyes, sleeplessness,
pleurisy, jaundice and quinsy are only a few of the ailments for which it was
held potent.  Gerard says:  'It has power to ease inflammations, roughness of the
throat and comforteth the heart, assuageth the pains of the head and causeth
sleep.'" (141-838)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 838. "The flowers are crystallized as an
attractive sweetmeat, and in the days of Charles II, a favourite conserve, Violet
Sugar, named then 'Violet Plate,' prepared from the flowers, was considered of
excellent use in consumption, and was sold by all apothecaries. The flowers have
undoubted expectorant qualities." (141-838)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 838. "The fresh flowers have also been used
as an addition to salads; they have a laxative effect." (141-838)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 838. "The underground stems or rhizomes
(the so-called roots) are strongly emetic and purgative.  They have occasionally
been used as adulterants to more costly drugs, notably to ipecacuanha.  A dose
of from 40 to 50 grains of the powdered root is said to act violently, inciting
nausea and great vomiting and nervous affection, due to the pronounced emetic
qualities of the alkaloid contained." (141-838)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 838. "The seeds are purgative and diuretic
and have been given in urinary complaints, and are considered a good corrective
of gravel." (141-838)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 839. "A modern homoeopathic medicinal
tincture is made from the whole fresh plant, with proof spirit, and is considered
useful for a spasmodic cough with hard breathing, and also for rheumatishm of the
wrists." (141-839)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 839. "The glucosidal principles contained
in the leaves have not yet been fully investigated, but would appear to have
distinct antiseptic properties." (141-839)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 839. "VIOLET OINTMENT. - Place 2 oz. of the
best lard in a jar in the oven till it becomes quite clear. Then add about
thirty-six fresh Violet leaves.  Stew them in the lard for an hour till the
leaves are the consistency of cooked cabbage.  Strain and when cold put into a
covered pot for use.  This is a good
old-fashioned Herbal remedy which has been allowed to fall into disuse.  It is
good as an application for superficial tubercles in the glands of the neck,
Violet Leaves Tea being drunk at the same time." (141-839)

- 1955 Mockle Quebec 50. "The flowers of different kinds of violets are used for
coughs and the leaves for emollients.  The roots are emetic and cathartic due to
the presence of saponosides.  There are numerous species in Canada; the most
popular is without doubt the Field pansy (V. tricolor var arvensis)." (369-330)

- 1969 Alma R. Hutchens, Indian Herbalogy of North America, 287. "The influence
of the dissolving properties seem to have intricate inward skill, reaching places
only the blood and lymphatic fluids penetrate.  For difficulty in breathing when
conditions are caused from a morbid accumulation of material in the stomach and
bowels causing gas, distention and pressure, Violet tea taken daily for some time
will make you feel that the beauty of the plant is of secondary importance.  It
is cooling to any high temperature of the body, internally or externally.  Of
service in headaches and heat to the head; a specific for ear disturbances,
having a soothing and healing effect on inflamed mucal surfaces.  Colds, sore
throat, inflammation of lungs, hoarseness, whooping cough, etc., of children and
adults is greatly controlled by a handful of dried or fresh violet leaves and
flowers in 1/2 pint of water, steeped for 1/2 hr., administer 2-3 tablespoonfuls
(more for adults) every 2-3 hr., and a mouthful to gargle (make sure the bowels
eliminate properly).  DOSE: As a tea 1 teaspoonful of the herb to 1 cupful of
boiling water." (215-287)

- 1969 Alma R. Hutchens, Indian Herbalogy of North America, 287. "EXTERNALLY:
Crushed Violet bound as compress on inflamed tumours, sore throat, swollen
breasts, to the back of the neck for headache, or the cloth saturated in Violet
tea will often give unbelievable results, if applied assiduously.  Keep a supply
of the dried leaves and flowers for out-of-season use." (215-287)

- 1970 Virgil J. Vogel, American Indian Medicine, 387. "The violets are generally
mucilaginous plants, and employed as demulcents in catarrh and strangury.  Some
of them are allied to ipecacuanha, and contain 'emetin' in their substances.  The
Viola pedata, a native species retained in the Pharmacopoeia, is considered a
useful expectorant and lubricating medicine in pulmonary complaints, and is given
in syrup or decoction." (146-387)

- 1970 Virgil J. Vogel, American Indian Medicine, 387. "The rhizome of the sweet
or English violet, naturalized from Europe, contains an emetic principle and has
been cultivated as a drug plant, although it has not been official.  The herb of
the indigenous pansy-violet, V. pedata, was official in the USP, 1820-70, while
the introduced species, V. tricolor, was official only in the edition of 1883."
(146-387)

- 1974 Kay N. Sanecki, The Complete Book of Herbs, 186. "Athenians suffering from
insomnia drank violet tea (as we would call it today). They took it for cardiac
disorders and gout; and the leaves formed poultices and dressings for a variety
of ulcers and wounds." (30-186)

- 1974 Kay N. Sanecki, The Complete Book of Herbs, 186. "During Charles II's
reign "violet plate" was sold by apothecaries as a laxative, probably compounded
from the roots of the plant, which also have a strong emetic action." (30-186)

- 1974 John Lust, The Herb Book, 199. "Properties and Uses:  Diaphoretic, emetic,
expectorant, laxative.  Garden violet (Viola odorata) is primarily an herb for
respiratory problems.  A tea made from the leaves is excellent as a soothing
gargle, as well as for headache.  A decoction of the rootstock makes a
particularly good expectorant.  For inflamed mucous tissue in the mouth, rinse
with a tea made from the rootstock or the whole plant.  A tea or syrup made from
the plant, especially the rootstock and the flowers, is a soothing remedy for
coughs and whooping cough.  Use it also as a calming agent for insomnia and
hysterical or nervous problems.  The flowers and the seeds can be used as a mild
laxative.  In large does, the rootstock is emetic. PREPARATION AND DOSAGE:
Collect the rootstalks in the fall.  INFUSION:  Steep 1 tsp. mixed plant parts
in 1/2 cup of water and strain.  DECOCTION:  Boil 1 tbsp. rootstock or plant
parts in 1/2 cup of water.  Soaking for a few hours before boiling is said to
strengthen the activity.  SYRUP:  Pour 1 qt. boiling-hot water over an equal
volume of compressed flowers; let stand for 10 hours and strain.  Heat the
resulting liquid to simmering and pour over a new batch of flowers.  Let stand
and strain as before.  Repeat the procedure several more times (the more the
better).  Heat the final liquid, let cool, and add honey until a syrupy
consistency is obtained." (195-199)

- 1974 John Lust, The Herb Book, 293. "Properties and Uses (of Viola tricolor or
'Pansy'):  Anodyne, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, laxative,
vulnerary.  An infusion of pansy is useful for skin eruptions in children, for
diarrhea, and for urinary problems.  In popular usage, it also serves for
jaundice, gout, rheumatic problems, arteriosclerosis, bedwetting, nervous
complaints and hysteria and cramps in children.  Its content of mucilage and
salicylic acid makes it suitable too for chest and lung inflammations.  The dried
and powdered plant can be strewn into wounds or made into a salve with honey for
external use.  CAUTION:  Excessive doses or prolonged, continuous use can lead
to skin problems.  PREPARATION AND DOSAGE:  Infusion:  Steep 1 to 2 tsp. plant
in 1/2 cup of water.  Take 1 cup a day, a mouthful at a time.  Cold Extract:
Soak 2 to 4 tsp. plant in 1 cup cold water for 8 hours.  Take 1 cup a day, a
mouthful at a time." (195-293)

- 1975 Dr. Triska, The Hamlyn Encyclopedia of Plants, 240. "This is a medicinal
plant which contains bitter substances, including salicylic acid, in the rhizome.
The rhizomes are used to make drugs to treat whooping cough." (119-240)

- 1980 Dr. Michael Weiner, Weiner's Herbal, 147.  "Viola tricolor (Wild Pansy):
Contains mucilaginous material, functions as an external soothing lotion for
boils, swellings, and skin diseases of various kinds.  It is also a good and
gentle laxative, also because of the mucilage.  This part of the Pansy has been
utilized to treat pectoral and nephritic diseases.  The flowers also have
demulcent properties, again because of the mucilage, and are made into syrup and
administered as a laxative for infants.  The root is both emetic and cathartic."
(139-147)

- 1980 Dr. Michael Weiner, Weiner's Herbal, 147.  "Viola odorata (Sweet Violet):
is much used as a flavoring and in candy making, while a leaf tea is a good cough
remedy." (139-147)

- 1980 Dr. Michael Weiner, Weiner's Herbal, 147.  "Viola mirabilis (Wonder
Violet):  Used in decoction in Ukrainian folk medicine to treat heart ailments,
palpitations, and shortness of breath." (139-147)

- 1980 David G. Spoerke, Herbal Medications, 168. "Sweet violet has been
recommended by herbalists for a number of uses.  These include treatment for skin
diseases, a mild laxative, to induce vomiting, as an expectorant, and as an aid
in controlling the cough of whooping cough, especially when accompanied by
shortness of breath." (135-168)

- 1982 Jeanne Rose, Jeanne Rose's Kitchen Cosmetics, 43. "This Viola, the sweet
Violet (Viola odorata), has been with us for thousands of years and the Roman
naturalist Pliny spoke of it thusly:

'Of Violets, there be some wild and of the field: others domestical, and growing
in our gardens.  The purple Violets are refrigerative and do coole.  And
therefore a good liniment is made of them to be applied unto an hot stomacke,
against burning inflammations.  A frontal likewise may be made of them to be laid
unto the forehead.  But a peculiar vertue they have besides to stay the running
and waterie eyes:  Garlands being made of Violets and let upon the head, revive
the heaviness of the head, and withstand the overturning of the braines upon
over-liberal drinking...'

He goes on to mention other uses for Violets, some of which were and are:  For
growths or diseases of the face and neck such as eczema, psoriasis, swollen neck
glands, inflamed eyes, pimply complexions.  The herb and flowers are used either
fresh or dried, either internally or externally, whatever is indicated." (308-43)

- 1983 David Potterton, Culpeper's Color Herbal, 196. "MODERN USES (Viola
odorata):  The leaves are antiseptic and are used internally and externally for
the treatment of malignancies.  Research is required in this area, but an
infusion is made by using 2 oz (56 g) of leaves to 1 pt (568 ml) of boiling
water, which is left to stand overnight.  It is then strained and taken in doses
of 2 fl oz (56 ml) every two or three hours.  The crushed leaves can be applied
directly to the skin where an antiseptic is required.  The flowers are
expectorant and a syrup is made by adding honey to an infusion of them.  This is
an excellent remedy for coughs taken in dessertspoonful doses.  The roots and
leaves are also expectorant, but the root tends to be emetic and has been used
as an alternative to Ipecacuanha.  In combination with Vervain (Verbena
officinalis), it is effective in whooping cough.  Colt's Foot may also be added."
(398-196)

- 1983 David Potterton, Culpeper's Color Herbal, 196. "MEDICINAL VIRTUES (Viola
odorata):  It is used to cool any heat or distemperature of the body, such as eye
inflammations, or hot swellings in the matrix or fundament.  The leaves and
flowers are taken by decoction and also used in a poultice.  A dram (1.7 g) by
weight of the powdered leaves or flowers purges the body of choleric humours if
taken in wine.  The powdered flowers taken in water relieves the quinsy and the
falling-sickness in children.  The flowers of White Violets ripen and dissolve
swellings.  Taken fresh, the flowers or herb are effectual in pleurisy and
diseases of the lungs and help hoarseness, hot urine and pains in the back or
bladder." (398-196)

- 1987 Philippa Back, The Illustrated Herbal, pg. 136. "Sweet Violet (Viola
odorata): In early times violets were much valued as a cure for sleeplessness for
which ailment the feet were wrapped in cloths soaked in an infusion and the herb
was bound to the forehead.  A circle of violets used to be worn round the head
to cure dizziness or a headache." (461-136)

- 1987 Philippa Back, The Illustrated Herbal, pg. 137. "Sweet Violet (Viola
odorata): Violet flowers taken in the form of a decoction are a helpful remedy
for feverish colds.  The decoction is soothing and will relieve a headache
brought on by too little sleep or too much drink.  It is soothing and pleasant
to drink.  To make the decoction: Add a cup of water to a teaspoon of dried
crushed flowers in an enamel pan.  Bring slowly to the boil.  Immediately remove
from the heat and leave to infuse for 10 minutes.  The decoction can be taken as
required warm or cold and sweetened with honey.  It will be found to be slightly
laxative so should not be taken for any lenght of time." (416-137)

- 1987 Philippa Back, The Illustrated Herbal, pg. 137. "Sweet Violet (Viola
odorata): A syrup of violets is an effective treatment for chest ailments,
bronchitis, coughs and chesty colds.  Use fresh flowers for the syrup where
possible.  To make the syrup: Put 3 large handfuls of flowers into a bowl and add
1/2 cup of boiling water.  Cover and leave to soak for a whole day.  Strain
through a piece of muslin or cheesecloth, making sure to get all the liquid out
of the flowers.  Put the liquid into an enamel pan with 4 heaped tablespoons of
honey.  Heat slowly to dissolve the honey then then bring to the boil.
Immediately remove from the heat and when cool pour into a screwtop jar.  Store
in a cool place.  The syrup can be taken 1 teaspoonful at a time.  Violet syrup
is a good gentle laxative to give to children.  It is also soothing for a sore
throat." (416-137)

- 1987 Philippa Back, The Illustrated Herbal, pg. 137. "Sweet Violet (Viola
odorata): Violet ointment made with fresh leaves can be used to soothe and reduce
swellings.  It is soothing and healing and will soften sore and cracked lips and
is good for relieving painful haemorrhoids (piles).  To make the ointment: Melt
2 heaped tablespoons of pure lard or shortening in an enamel pan and add a
handful of chopped leaves.  Cover the pan and cook the leaves for 30 minutes over
a very low heat.  Strain immediately through a piece of muslin or cheesecloth and
pour into small pots.  Cover when cold." (416-137)

- 1987 Philippa Back, The Illustrated Herbal, pg. 137. "Sweet Violet (Viola
odorata): A poultice can be applied to bruises and swollen joints to ease the
pain.  To make a poultice: Gather sufficient fresh leaves, wash and mash them to
a pulp, either by hand or using an electic blender.  Spread the pulp, either by
hand or using an electric blender.  Spread the pulp on to a piece of muslin or
cheesecloth and heat the poultice between 2 plates over a pan of boiling water.
When hot place over the affected area, cover with a dry cloth and leave in place
until relief is felt.  Renew the poultice as necessary." (416-137)

RUSSIAN MEDICINAL USES:

- 1969 Alma R. Hutchens, Indian Herbalogy of North America, 288. "Fialka
Polevaya, Violet, is a popular all-the-year-round decoration - in the fields in
the summer time and as a house plant in winter.  Tri-colour Violets are formally
and tenderly called Anutini Glazki, "Eyes of Annie", but much sentiment is lost
in the English translation.  The
country folk are less illuminating in speech and use Ivan and Mary, Ivan da
Maria.  Medical properties and uses are carried over from ancient history
(Vishaya Schkolla, Moscow, 1963)" (215-288)

- 1969 Alma R. Hutchens, Indian Herbalogy of North America, 288. "RUSSIAN FOLK
MEDICINE:  Use decoctions, tea, Nastoika (with Vodka), internally and externally,
as diuretic, diaphoretic, blood purifier.  For diathesis, coughs, eczema.  TB of
the skin and other skin conditions (Bello-Russia).  Decoction for female
condition, toothache, chest pain of cold (Bello-Russ. Academy of Science, Minsk,
1965).  EXTERNALLY:  Decoction to drink and as poultices, or for complete bath
immersion, for chronic and persisting skin conditions, scrofula, eruptions,
children's eczema (Bello-Russ. Academy of Science, 1965).  MEDICALLY:  Special
preparations of the whole plant are administrated for lung and chest trouble as
expectorant in chronic catarrhal accumulation (Atlas, Moscow, 1963)." (215-288)

CHINESE MEDICINAL USES:

- 1973 Li Shih-chen, Chinese Medicinal Herbs, 455. "Viola Pinnata
(Hu-chin-ts'ao).  This wild violet resembles the Viola sylvestris, has a purple
flower, and the plant is often used as a pot-herb, having a slightly acid taste.
It is considered nourishing, purifying to the blood, and anodyne.  Bruised and
applied to ulcers and foul sores, it is considered cleansing, and is mixed with
turpentine, olibanum, ashes from burnt hair, charcoal from mulberry twigs, and
made into a pill for use in dispersing cancerous tumors." (343-455)

- 1973 Li Shih-chen, Chinese Medicinal Herbs, 455. "Viola Sylvestris
(Chin-ts'ai).  In the 'Pentsao' this is confounded with Apium graveolens, being
considered to be a sort of wild celery.  The plant is considered to be
counter-poisonous, and is used as an application in horse bites, reptile bites,
and cancerous sores.  Its ingestion is also thought to benefit in tubercular
troubles and cholera.  This same character (Chin) is used for Aconite, Sambucus
chinensis, and Ranunculus sceleratus." (343-455)

- 1977 Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province, A Barefoot Doctor's
Manual, 280. (Viola diffusa Ging.): (88-281)

SYNONYMS: Huang-hua ts'ao (yellow-flower grass), huang-kua ts'ai (yellow gourd
greens), yeh po-ho (wild mint), hsi t'ung ts'ao, ya-kua t'eng, mao-mao hsiang,
huang-kua hsiang, ti ting-hsiang.

MORPHOLOGY:  Annual herb.  Found growing on wasted slopes, stream edges, sparse
forests and roadsides where shady and damp.  Whole plant covered by soft white
hairs.  Stems creeping, stoloniferous.  Basal leaves clustered, ovate or
ovate-ellilptic, apexes rounded-obtuse or acute, bases gradually narrowing,
extending into wings, margins coarsely serrated, with long petioles.  In spring,
axillary flower styles appear with small light purplish or white flowers.
Capsule long-elliptic.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION:  Has cooling properties, bitter and acid to taste.
Detoxifies, nourishes the blood and aids tissue regeneration.

CONDITIONS MOST USED FOR:  (1) Aplastic anemia, leukemia (2) mastitis, mumps,
"ginseng" (Pinellia ternata) poisoning, poisonous snake-bites (3) traumatic
injuries, boils and abscesses.

PREPARATION:  The whole plant is used medicinally, 1 to 2 liang each time in
decoction.  Or the fresh product may be crushed for external application.

- 1977 Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province, A Barefoot Doctor's
Manual, 313. (Viola japonica Langsd., 88-313):

SYNONYMS:  Kuan-t'ou chien, li-ts'iu ts'ao, chien-t'ou ts'ao (arrowhead grass),
li-t'ou ts'ao.

MORPHOLOGY:  Perennial herb.  Found growing on hillsides or damp places.  Leaves
clustered, with long petioles, leaves long-ovate, ovate-elliptical or
deltoid-ovate, apexes obtuse, bases shallowly cordate, margins serrated.  In
spring-summer, purplish-red terminal flowers appear.  Fruit an ellipsoid capsule.

PROPERTIES AND ACTION:  Has Han (cold) properties, slightly bitter to taste.
Reduces inflammation and detoxifies, cools the blood and alleviates pain.

CONDITIONS MOST USED FOR:  (Boils, ulcers and abscesses (2) acute conjunctivitis,
laryngitis, acute jaundice hepatitis (3) poisoning due to tuan-ch'ang ts'ao.

PREPARATIONS:  The whole plant is used medicinally, 3 to 5 ch'ien each time, in
decoction.

INDIAN (AYURVEDIC) USES:

- 1969 Alma R. Hutchens, Indian Herbalogy of North America, 288. "INDIA AND
PAKISTAN:  Known as Banaf Shah, the flowers are emollient, demulcent, astringent,
diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative.  Used in cases of prolapsus of the uterus and
rectum, nervous disorders, biliousness, epilepsy, inflamed swellings.  For
diaphoretic use when needed for colds, coughs, kidney and bladder disorders.  In
large doses the flowers are emetic; 2 oz. of stem will act as purgative, emetic;
juice will cause nausea, vomiting and nervous conditions.  The underground stem
is emetic and purgative and is valuable if used instead of Ipecacuanha.  Their
use goes further still, antipyretic and febrifuge." (215-288)

HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINE:

- 1969 Alma R. Hutchens, Indian Herbalogy of North America, 287. "HOMOEOPATHIC
CLINICAL:  Tincture of fresh plant in flower - Cancer, Choroiditis, Cough
(spasmodic; by day), Hoarseness, Hysteria, Neuralgia (supra-orbital), Otorrhoea
(suppressed), Rheumatism, Seminal emissions, Styes, Whooping cough, Wrist
(rheumatism of)." (215-288)

CANCER TREATMENT:

- 1902 Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations, 313. "It has
been recommended and used with benefit to allay pain in cancerous growths - some
even say to cure cancer.  In 1902 Lady Margaret Marsham, of Maidstone, cured from
cancer of the throat by infusion of Violet Leaves, published the recipe.  The
relief was almost immediate.  In a week the external hard swelling had gone, and
in a fortnight the cancer on the tonsil had disappeared.  Pour a pint of boiling
water on to a handful of fresh Violet Leaves and stand for twelve hours.  Strain
when required.  Apply to the affected part and cover with a piece of oilskin.
Change the lint when dry or cold.  Another report states that a gentleman aged
45 was cured of cancer by drinking 1 pt of infusion of Violet Leaves prepared
from the dry leaves, and also by fomentation with the hot liquor.  Or a poultice
may be made and used in similar manner."

- 1902 Potters New Cyclopaedia, page 313. Claims that Lady Margaret Marsham, of
Maidstone, was cured from cancer of the throat by infusion of Violet leaves.  The
following are extracted from the publication: "In a week the external hard
swelling had gone, and in a fortnight the cancer on the tonsil had disappeared.
Pour a pint of boiling water over a handful of fresh Violet leaves and let stand
for 2 hours.  Strain, when required, apply to the affected part and cover with
a piece of oilskin, change when dry or cold."  (215-287)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 839. "Of late years, preparations of fresh
Violet leaves have been used both internally and externally in the treatment of
cancer, and though the British Pharmacopoeia does not uphold the treatment, it
specifies how they are employed.  From other sources it is stated that Violet
leaves have been used with benefit to allay the pain in cancerous growths,
especially in the throat, which no other treatment relieved, and several reputed
cures have been recorded." (141-839)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 839. "An infusion of the leaves in boiling
water (1 in 5) has been administered in doses of 1 tn 2 fluid ounces. A syrup of
the petals and a liquid extract of the fresh leaves are also used, the latter
taken in teaspoonful doses, or rubbed in locally.  The fresh leaves are alsn
prepared as a compress for local application.  The infusion is generally drunk
cold and is made as follows: Take 2 1/2 oz. of Violet leaves, freshly picjed.
Varh them clean in cold water and place them in a stone jar and pour over them
1 pint of boiling water.  Tie the jar down and let it stand for twelve hours,
till the water is green.  Then strain off the liquid into a well-stoppered bottle
and the tea is ready for drinking cold at intervals of every two hours during the
day, taking a wineglassful at a time till the whole has been consumed each day.
It is essential that the tea should be made fresh every day and kept in a cool
place to prevent it turning sour.  If any should be left over it should be thrown
away.  As a cure for cancer of the tongue, it is recommended to drink half this
quantity daily at intervals and apply the rest in hot fomentations." (141-839)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 839. "INJECTION: About a couple of
wineglassfuls made tepid can be used, if required, as an injection, night and
morning, but this infusion should be made separate from the tea and should not
be of greater strength than 1 oz. of leaves to 1 pint of water." (141-839)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 839. "As a hot COMPRESS, for external use,
dip a piece of lint into the infusion, made the same strength as the tea, of
which a sufficient quantity must be made warm for the purpose.  Lay the lint
round or over the affected part and cover with oilskin or thin mackintosh.
Change the lint when dry or cold.  Use flannel, not oilskin, for open wounds, and
in cold weather it should be made fresh about every alternate day.  Should this
wet compress cause undue irritation of the skin, remove at once and substitute
the following compress or poultice:  Chop some fresh-gathered young Violet
leaves, without stems, and cover with boiling water.  Stand in a warm place for
a quarter of an hour and add a little crushed linseed." (141-839)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 839. "A 'concentrated preparation' is also
recommended, made as follows:  Put as many Violet leaves in a saucepan as can
boil in the water.  Boil for 1/2 hour, then strain, squeezing tightly. Evaporate
this decoction to one-fourth its bulk and add alcohol (spirits of wine 1 in 15);
1 1/2 oz. or 3 tablespoonsful of spirits of wine will keep 24 oz. for a month.
This syrupy product is stated to be extremely efficacious, applied two or three
times a day, or more, on cotton-wool about the throat.  This will not cause
irritation unless applied to the skin with waterproof over for a considerable
time, as under such circumstances moisture will cause irritation." (141-839)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 839. "For lubricating the throat, dry and
powder Violet leaves and let them stand in olive oil for six hours in a water
bath.  Make strong.  It will keep any time." (141-839)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 839. "A continuous daily supply of fresh
leaves is necessary and a considerable quantity is required.  It is recorded that
during the nine weeks that a nurseryman supplied a patient suffering from Cancer
in the colon - which was cured at the end of this period - a Violet bed covering
six rods of ground was almost entirely stripped of its foliage." (141-839)

- 1966 Harry Benjamin, Nature's Medicines, 204. "Dr. Hartwell says:  In the early
Creole days in Louisiana, the juice of the May apple root was used to treat
warts.  Other records show that the Penobscot Indians used the same remedy for
the same purpose.  This is interesting because the Penobscots and the Creoles
were widely separated.  And we found that ancient Chinese treated tumors with
herbs that were used also in Africa.  The violet plant, as far back as 500 B.C.,
was used in poultice form as a cure for surface cancer. It was used in 18th
Century England for the same purpose." (196-204)

- 1969 Alma R. Hutchens, Indian Herbalogy of North America, 288. "From "Medical
Plants of India", page 175, (by J.F. Dastur, Bombay, India, 1962) credit is given
to the control of cancer in the following way: "The fresh leaves are a reputed
drug for the treatment of Cancer:  they relieve pain of cancerous growths,
especially in the throat; two and a half ounces of the fresh leaves are infused
in a pint of boiling water in a covered stone jar for 12 hours; the strained
liquid is taken in the course of a day, in doses of a wineglassful at a time; for
treatment of cancer of the tongue only half the quantity is taken in a day; the
other half is used to foment the tongue; a liquid extract of the fresh leaves,
in teaspoonful doses, is equally efficacious.  On cancerous growths either the
hot infusion or an extract of the fresh leaves is applied as a compress."  DOSE:
1 part of flower to 100 parts of water, or a syrup; 30-50 g. doses. As emetic,
dose 40-50 grains.  Externally: For Eczema." (215-288)

- 1971 J.L. Hartwell, Plants Used Against Cancer. A Survey. "Viola odorata and
viola sp. have been used for cancer from very early times in Europe.  From 1901
to 1906 there were five different articles in British medical journals on the use
of violets in cancer.  The National Cancer Institute of the U.S. received many
reports on the folk use of violets for cancer.  One from Michigan in 1958 cites
the use of a decoction of the flowers, plant and root as an 'old Indian cure for
cancer.'" (369-330)

PREPARATION & DOSAGES:
- 1980 Dr. Michael Weiner, Weiner's Herbal, 147.  "Wild Pansy (V. tricolor) DOSE:
Flowers and herb - Approximately 1/2 ounce of flowers or herb to 1 pint of water.
Water boiled separately and poured over plant material and steeped for 5 to 20
minutes, depending on the desired effect.  Drunk hot or warm, 1 to 2 cups per
day, at bedtime and upon awakening.  ROOT:  1 teaspoon of the root, boiled in a
covered container with 1 1/2 pints of water for about 1/2 hour, at a slow boil.
Liquid allowed to cool slowly in the 'closed' container.  Drunk cold, 1 swallow
or 1 tablespoon at a time, 1 to 2 cups per day.

COLLECTING & DRYING:

- 1973 Stary and Jirasek, Herbs. "The roots of V. odorata are collected in the
wild in Europe for the drug trade.  They are used in cough syrup and for
rheumatic diseases." (369-330)

- 1987 Philippa Back, The Illustrated Herbal, pg. 136. "Sweet Violet (Viola
odorata): The leaves and flowers are those parts of the herb used in the home but
only the flowers are dried.  These are gathered on a dry day and must be dried
carefully to retain their colour and therefore their goodness.  They are then
stored in the usual way.  The leaves are only used when freshly picked." (416-
137)

MATERIAL USES

LITMUS TEST:

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 838. "An infusion of the flowers is
employed, especially on the Continent, as a substitute for litmus, as a test of
acids and alkalis." (141-838)

- 1975 Dr. Triska, The Hamlyn Encyclopedia of Plants, 239. "A violet pigment can
be extracted from the flowers and, if this is treated with an alkali, it changes
to green.  This colour change makes it an acceptable substitute for litmus."
(119-240)

COSMETICS:

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 838. "The natural perfume is very expensive
to extact, an enormous quantity of flowers being required to scent a pomade.  The
largest Violet plantations are at Nice.  The species used are the double 'Parma
Violet' and the 'Victoria Violet'.  A certain amount of perfume of a distinctive
character is also now made from the green flowers of Violet plants, taken just
before flowering." (141-838)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 835. "The ancient Britons used the flowers
as a cosmetic, and in a celtic poem they are recommended to be employed steeped
in goats' milk to increase female beauty." (141-835)

- 1975 Alice M. Coats, The Treasury of Flowers, 58. "However demurely it may hang
its upside-down head (the lowest petal should properly be the topmost) the violet
is not modest when it comes to its sexy perfume, which caused it to be made the
flower of Aphrodite.  The scent's principal ingredient, ionine, quickly fatigues
the sense of smell, so that it can no longer be perceived, and therefore seems
fugitive - 'the perfume and the suppliance of a minute'.

      'The violet is better that is gathered in the morninge' as William
      Turner wrote 'whose vertue nether the heate of the sun hath melted
      away, nether ye rayne hath wafted and driven away...' (143-56)

- 1975 Francesco Bianchini, Health Plants of the World, 88. "Gerard believed that
the violet's delicate beauty brought to men's minds 'the remembrance of honestie,
comlinesse, and all kindes of vertues.'"

- 1975 Dr. Triska, The Hamlyn Encyclopedia of Plants, 240. "In France a precious
green volatile oil is extracted from the plant which has an aromatic scent.  In
order to manufacture this perfume special subspecies have been cultivated.
(119-240)

- 1984 Laura C. Martin, Wildflower Folklore, 55. "The medicinal and culinary
virtues of violets were discovered before Rome was an empire.  In those times the
women would mix violets in goat's milk and apply it to their faces to help their
complexions." (399-57)

- 1987 Philippa Back, The Illustrated Herbal, pg. 137. "Sweet Violet (Viola
odorata): A lotion made with violets will help to improve a dull complexion and
can be used night and morning to cleanse the skin.  It will leave the skin smooth
and soft.  To make the lotion: Pour 1/2 cup of warm boiled milk on to a handful
of dried violet flowers.  Leave to infuse for about 2 hours.  Strain through a
piece of muslin or cheesecloth, pressing all the milk out of the flowers.  Store
in a stoppered jar in a cool place or in the refrigerator and use within a few
days.  Dip cotton wool into the lotion to cleanse the face." (416-137)

- 1987 Philippa Back, The Illustrated Herbal, pg. 137. "Sweet Violet (Viola
odorata): Violets add a lovely perfume to home-made hair rinses.  Make a
decoction (see Medicinal Use) and leave it to cool before straining.  Add the
perfumed decoction to rinses made with nettle, horsetail or yarrow, before using
on the hair.  It adds a lovely fragrance to soft, shining hair." (416-137)

- 1987 Philippa Back, The Illustrated Herbal, pg. 137. "Sweet Violet (Viola
odorata): Violets can be used for a relaxing, aromatic bath which is pleasant and
soothing after a tiring day.  To make a herbal bath: Make up a strong infusion
by pouring 2 cupfuls of boiling water over 3-4 handfuls of dried flowers.  Leave
to infuse for 10-15 minutes then strain and add to the bath water." (416-137)

- 1987 Philippa Back, The Illustrated Herbal, pg. 137. "Sweet Violet (Viola
odorata): A violet salve will help to keep lips soft and smooth.  To make a lip
salve: Make up a decoction of violets and leave to cool.  Melt 1 tablespoon of
beeswax slowly over a low heat.  Remove from the heat and add 2 tablespoons of
almond oil and 2 tablespoons of violet decoction.  Pour into small pots and cover
when cold." (416-137)

CULTIVATION:

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 835.  A very detailed explaination on how,
when, and where to cultivate Violets domestically on pages 835 to 837.

- 1982 Macropaedia, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Volume 19, 148. "Violets are widely
grown as ornamentals, and there are, for example, several nurseries in the United
States that deal exclusively in wild violets or in cultivated varieties of wild
forms.  Over 100 species are offered for sale.  Pansies, sweet white violets, and
johnny-jump-ups are common names of some of the varieties most widely grown.  The
confederate violet is a gray-flowered form popular in Southern states of the
United States in cultivation and as a wild flower.  Many large-flowered forms of
the genus Viola have been bred by hybridization (crossing different species), a
phenomenon found frequently in wild species of the family." (EB 19-148)

- 1987 Philippa Back, The Illustrated Herbal, pg. 136. "Sweet Violet (Viola
odorata): Violets will grow well in medium to light ordinary soil to which
compost has been added.  Set out new plants in April a handspan apart and keep
them well watered until established, especially in dry weather.  Some well-rotted
leaf mould set round the plants will help to keep the soil damp.  To produce
blooms in quantity, feed the plants with liquid manure just before they begin to
flower." (416-136)


DYEING:

- 1974 Kay N. Sanecki, The Complete Book of Herbs, 185. "Grecian ladies are said
to have used the dye from the flowers to paint their eyelids." (30-185)

HISTORY & BELIEFS

HISTORICAL RECORDS:

- 1524 Giovanni da Verrazzano, Relation of John Verarzanus. "The land is, in
situation, goodnesse, and fairenes, like the other...but not so sweete, because
the countrey is more northerly and cold.  Wee sawe in this Countrey many Vines
growing naturally, which growing up take hold of the trees as they do in
Lombardie...We found also roses, violettes, lillies, and many sorts of herbes and
sweete and odoriferous flowers, different from ours." (131-Violets)

- 1836 Catharine Parr Traill, The Backwoods of Canada. "Of Violets we have every
variety of colour, size, and shape, lacking only the delightful viola odorata of
our home woodlands; yet I know not why we should quarrel with these meek
daughters of the spring, because they want the fragrance of their more favoured
sisters." (131-Violet)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 835. "When Napoleon went to Elba his last
message to his adherents was that he should return with Violets.  Hence he was
alluded to and toasted by them in secret as Caporal Violette, and the Violet was
adopted as the emblem of the Imperial Napoleonic party." (141-835)

- 1972 Frances Perry, Flowers of the World, 305. "Interest in the species (V.
odorata) is said to have been stimulated by Napoleon who, although not greatly
interested in flowers, liked Violets because they reminded him of the Corsican
woods in which he played as a child.  Josephine wore Violets on her wedding day
and was invariably given a bunch by Napoleon to mark each anniversary.  But it
was really in defeat that Violets became important to France for as the Emperor
was taken away to begin a life of exile in Elba, he told his followers he would
return with the Violets in spring. This promise was fulfilled with his escape,
when many loyal friends and adherents came forward wearing Violets or
violet-coloured dresses and cloaks.  But their jubilation was short-lived for
soon afterwards Napoleon met his final defeat at Waterloo.  Before leaving for
St. Helena, however, he asked his captors for permission to visit Josephine's
grave where he plucked violets, which after his death were found in a locket
around his neck." (244-306)

- 1972 Frances Perry, Flowers of the World, 306. "Parma or Neapolitan Violets is
more obscure.  These are thought to be of oriental origin and were grown at
Malmaison by the Empress Josephine and later became a great favourite of Queen
Alexandra, who at one time had some 5000 cultivated plants in frames at Windsor."
(244-306)

- 1972 Frances Perry, Flowers of the World, 305. "A Lord Gambier (who was
ignominiously discharged from the Royal Navy at the beginning of the 19th century
and took up gardening to forget his troubles) is often credited with the
development of the first Pansies, but it was actually his gardener Mr. T.
Thompson (later called the Father of the Heartsease) who was the real pioneer."
(244-306)

- 1974 Kay N. Sanecki, The Complete Book of Herbs, 185. "Perhaps one of the
earliest uses of scented flowers on a patio is described by the younger Pliny.
Telling of his new villa on the shores of the Tuscan sea, he says: "the gallery
has a double row of windows on both sides....and one on each side toward the
garden...before the gallery lies a terrace perfumed with violets." (30-185)

- 1975 Francesco Bianchini, Health Plants of the World, 88. "One of the
best-loved of all wild flowers is the Violet (Viola odorata) which has probably
more romantic and poetic associations than any other flower except the rose.
Even some old pharmacopoeias list some species for their fragrance and beauty,
and scarcely mention their therapeutic value.  Galen (c. AD 130 - c. 200), the
great Greek physician, knew the violet for its emollient and expectorant
properties, which are similar to, but less powerful, than those of ipecacuanha."
(90-88)

- 1982 Jeanne Rose, Jeanne Rose's Kitchen Cosmetics, 43. "Modern Pansies were
developed from two lines of wild Violets in Britain, the Viola lutea and Viola
tricolor." (308-43)

FLORAL EMBLEMS AND SYMBOLISM:

- 1966 Harry Benjamin, Nature's Medicines, 203. "In the symbolic language of
flowers, faithfulness is appropriated to the blue variety of violets, innocence
or modesty to the white, and happiness to the yellow." (196-203)

- 1966 Harry Benjamin, Nature's Medicines, 203. "The violet was a favorite of
both the Romans and Greeks, and was the national flower of Athens.  Orators
endeavoring to win the favorable attention of the people addressed them as
"Athenians crowned with violets." (196-203)

- 1980 Downie & Hamilton, 'And Some Brought Flowers', Violets. "The Purple Violet
is the Floral Emblem of New Brunswick." (376-Violets)

- 1984 Laura C. Martin, Wildflower Folklore, 55. "It is the state flower of
Illinois, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin." (399-55)

- 1984 Laura C. Martin, Wildflower Folklore, 55. "The violet is a symbol of
modesty and simplicity, and is considered the herb of Zeus.  Shakespeare was very
fond of the violet and included it often in his love sonnets.  He used the flower
as a symbol of humility and constancy in love." (399-55)

SPIRITUAL BELIEFS:

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 835. "In Macer's Herbal (tenth century) the
Violet is among the many herbs which were considered powerful against 'wykked
sperytis.' (141-835)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 835. "Violets, like Primroses, have been
associated with death, especially with the death of the young.  This feeling has
been constantly expressed from early times.  It is referred to by Shakespeare in
Hamlet and Pericles and by Milton in Lycidas." (141-835)

- 1974 Ada Muir, The Healing Herbs of The Zodiac, 21. "The fourth house of the
horoscope is ruled by Cancer and at this house describes the stomach and mammary
glands, so the complaints of Cancer are very closely connected with the stomach
and breast.  The complaints of Cancer are indigestion and all weaknesses of the
breast, chest and stomach, cancerous growths, dropsy, asthma and pleurisy.  The
herbs of the planetary ruler will often help, but as the Cancer subject is so
negative when ailing, the more stimulating herbs of one of the other signs often
should be used.  The best known herbs of Cancer are:  Dog's Tooth Violet:  its
expressed juice is good for dropsy, the leaves are cooling and healing if placed
on ulcerous growths and the root, simmered in milk will remove stomach worms and
relieve an ulcerated stomach." (108-230)

- 1974 Kay N. Sanecki, The Complete Book of Herbs, 186. "The Koran says that "the
superiority of the extract of violets above all other extracts is as the
superiority (of Mohamet) over the rest of men." (1-186)

- 1987 Philippa Back, The Illustrated Herbal, pg. 137. "Sweet Violet (Viola
odorata): Sweet Violet Tears: The violet originated, according to Greek
mythology, from the tears of a nymph loved by Zeus.  To hide her from his wife,
the nymph was turned into a white heifer.  The grass tasted so bitter to her that
she cried and her tears were transformed into sweet violets by Zeus to provide
her with delicate fodder." (416-137)

NOMENCLATURE:

- 1597 John Gerard, Gerard's Herball, 199. "The Violet is called in Greeke, Ion:
in Latine, Nigra viola or blacke Violet, of the blackish purple colour of the
floures. The Apothecaries keepe the Latine name Viola, but they call it Herba
Violaria, and Mater Violarum: in Spanish, Violeta: in English, Violet.  Nicander
in his Geoponicks beleeveth (as Hermolaus sheweth) that the Grecians did call it
Ion, because certain Nympths of Ionia gave that floure first to Jupiter.  Others
say it was called Ion because when Jupiter had turned the young damosell Io, whom
he tenderly loved, into a Cow, the earth brought forth this floure for her food;
which being made for her sake, received the name from her: and thereupon it is
thought that the Latines also called it Viola, as though they should say Vitula,
by blotting out the letter t." (387-199)

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 834. "Violet is the diminutive form of the
Latin Viola, the Latin form of the Greek name Ione.  There is a legend that when
Jupiter changed his beloved Io into a white heifer for fear of Juno's jealousy,
he caused these modest flowers to spring forth from the earth to be fitting food
for her, and he gave them her name.  Another derivation of the word Violet is
said to be from 'Vias' (wayside)." (141-834)

- 1975 Francesco Bianchini, Health Plants of the World, 88. "The Greek poet and
doctor Nicander, who lived in the second century B.C., claimed that his
countrymen called the violet Ion because the flower was given to Jupiter by the
Nymphs of Ionia.  Another theory is that it was so called after Io, beloved of
Jupiter, whom he turned into a cow.  Violets sprang from the earth for her food."
(90-88)

- 1975 Francesco Bianchini, Health Plants of the World, 92. "The little 'Wild
Pansy' (Viola tricolor) which owes its scientific name to the mixed colours of
its corolla, is known to poets and country dwellers by many other names, the most
beautiful of which must be heartease and love-in-idleness.  The name pansy is
derived from the French pensee, for thought, and much great poetry has been
inspired by this theme." (90-92)

- 1975 Dr. Triska, The Hamlyn Encyclopedia of Plants, 240. "According to an
ancient Greek legend, Violet was the daughter of the giant Atlas.  The girl was
pursued by Phoebus (the sun) and she begged Zeus to change her into a Violet, so
that she could hide from the rays of her pursuer." (119-240)

RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LIFE-FORMS:

- 1931 Maude Grieve, A Modern Herbal, 835. "Some butterflies feed entirely on
Violet, and the stem of the plant is often swelled and spongy in appearance, due
to insects, whose eggs were deposited on the stalk during the preceding summer.
The little animal, on hatching out, finds its food ready for it, and penetrating
the plant, disturbs its juices and causes this excrescence." (141-835)

- 1975 Dr. Triska, The Hamlyn Encyclopedia of Plants, 239. "Viola odorata L.:
The fruits are hairy capsules with numerous seeds which are covered by a fleshy
layer.  This is eaten by ants and the seeds are spread in this way." (119-239)

- 1978 V.H. Heywood, Flowering Plants of the World, 100. "Their colored petals
and scent attract pollinating insects which are said to be guided into the spur
by linear markings, or honey guides, on the petals.  Nectar is secreted into the
spur from the bases of the two lowermost stamens.  To reach it the insect's body
must touch the stigma, so pollinating it with the pollen it may be carrying.  The
insect also touches the spurs on the anthers which shower pollen onto its back
which it then carries to the stigma of another flower." (118-101).

STORIES

- 1974 Kay N. Sanecki, The Complete Book of Herbs, 186. "Shakespeare's belief in
the transference of souls into flower form was expressed when he made Laertes
wish violets to spring from Ophelia's grave: (30-186)

      Lay her to earth
      And from her fair and unpolluted flesh
      May violets spring

- 1974 Kay N. Sanecki, The Complete Book of Herbs, 186. "..on the theme of
constancy, an old English sonnet says:

      Violet is for faithfulness
      Which in me shall abide
      Hoping likewise that from your heart
      You will not let it hide

- 1974 Kay N. Sanecki, The Complete Book of Herbs, 186. "..perhaps Tennyson
expresses it best:

                  From the meadows your walks have left so sweet
      That, whever a March wind sighs,
      He sets the Jewel print of your feet
      In violets blue as your eyes

- 1975 Francesco Bianchini, Health Plants of the World, 92. "Shakespeare
mentioned the pansy only once, but in unforgettably beautiful lines: 'Pray, love,
remember: and there is pansies, that's for thoughts.' (Hamlet, iv, 5.)" (90-92)

ILLUSTRATIONS

- Good B/W (EB 19-149)
- Excellant B/W (All Aspects) (385-212)
- Excellant B/W (V. canadensis - all aspects) (376-152)
- Excellant B/W (V. odorata - all aspects) (143-58)
- Excellant Color photos of various violets (244-306)
- Excellant Diagrams (118-100)
- Excellant Old colour print of Viola Odorata (416-136)



                                  <<WARNING>>

The information in these articles is primarily for reference and education.  They are not intended
to be a substitute for the advice of a physician.  The instructor does not advocate self-diagnosis
or self-medication; He urges anyone with continuing symptoms, however minor, to seek medical advice.
The reader should be aware that any plant substance, whether used as food or medicine, externally
or internally, may cause an allergic reaction in some people.







                                      Maurice L.B. Oates Jr., M.A.
                                         (Ya'-ga-hlo'o)

BOOKS NOT CHECKED OFF


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43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64    66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75          79 80 81
82 83 84 85 86 87    89    91 92 93 94 95    97 98 99 100     102 103 104 105 106 107     109 110 111 112 113 114
116 117             121 122     124          127 128     130     132 133 134         137 138     140     142       145
146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155     157 158 159 160 161 162     164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175
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            239 240 241 242 243     245     247 248     250 251 252 253 254 255 256 257 258 259 260 261     263 264 265
266 267 268 269 270 271 272 273     275 276 277 278 279 280 281 282 283     285 286             290 291     293 294 295
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326     328 329 330 331     333 334 335 336 337     339 340             344     346 347     349 350 351 352     354
    356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364     366 367 368     370 371 372 373 374 375     377 378
379 380     382 383 384     386                     392 393 394 395     397     399 400     402 403 404 405 406 407 408
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                                INDEX