Violet

Basic Information

Scientific Name: Viola spp., V. odorata, V. sororia, V. tricolor

Plant Family: Violaceae

Conservation / Invasive Status: Least Concern

Safety Level: Generally Safe

Harvest Season: Spring, Summer

Parts Used: Flower, Leaves, Roots

Scientific & Botanical Information

Botanical & Scientific

Active Compounds

  • Saponins: Triterpene saponins (approximately 5.2%) including ursolic acid as aglycone, responsible for expectorant and lymphatic properties¹ ² ³
  • Mucilage: Demulcent polysaccharides that soothe irritated mucous membranes⁴
  • Salicylic acid (methyl salicylate): Anti-inflammatory compound similar to aspirin⁵ ⁶
  • Flavonoids: Including rutin, quercetin, and other antioxidant compounds⁷ ⁸
  • Alkaloids: Including viola-odoratine and related compounds⁹
  • Phenolic compounds: Gallic acid, caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid contributing to antioxidant activity¹⁰
  • Vitamins: Vitamin C and vitamin A in significant amounts¹¹
  • Cyclotides: Cyclic peptides with demonstrated antibacterial and cytotoxic properties¹²

What Science Shows

Anti-inflammatory: Multiple studies demonstrate significant anti-inflammatory effects. Aqueous extracts of V. odorata proved as effective as hydrocortisone in preventing formalin-induced lung damage in rats, with potential as safer alternative to corticosteroids for inflammatory lung conditions¹³ ¹⁴

Expectorant: Saponin content provides gastropulmonary reflex stimulation, increasing bronchial secretions and reducing mucus viscosity. Saponins act as surfactants on thick mucus, facilitating expectoration¹⁵ ¹⁶ Traditional use in whooping cough and acute bronchitis supported by British Herbal Pharmacopoeia⁴

Lymphatic support: Violet demonstrates alterative and lymphatic properties, promoting lymphatic drainage and softening hardened lymph nodes. In vitro studies show inhibition of activated lymphocyte cell proliferation, suggesting potential anticancer properties¹⁷ ¹⁸

Antioxidant: Robust antioxidant activity attributed to flavonoid content, particularly rutin, which addresses capillary fragility and demonstrates free radical scavenging capacity⁷ ¹⁹

Antihypertensive and cardiovascular: Hydromethanolic extracts cause dose-dependent blood pressure reduction in animal studies. Mechanism involves multiple pathways including calcium channel blockade and nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation. Also demonstrates antidyslipidemic effects with reduction in total cholesterol, LDL, and atherogenic index²⁰ ²¹

Demulcent: Mucilage content soothes irritated tissues in respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems⁴

Antimicrobial and antifungal: Studies demonstrate antibacterial activity against various pathogens including respiratory bacteria. Cyclotides show strong antimicrobial properties¹² ²²

Growing in New England

Hardiness: Zones 3-8, extremely cold-hardy for New England

Soil: Prefers rich, moist, slightly acidic soil but highly adaptable

Sun: Part shade to full shade preferred; tolerates sun if soil stays moist

Water: Appreciates consistent moisture

Special notes:

  • Viola sororia (common blue violet) native and spreads prolifically – considered “lawn weed” by some, valuable medicinal by others
  • Viola odorata (sweet violet) naturalized from Europe, very fragrant
  • Self-seeds prolifically and spreads by runners/rhizomes
  • Excellent ground cover in shade gardens
  • Important early nectar source for native pollinators
  • Can become aggressive in garden settings due to prolific self-seeding

Safety & Interactions

Generally regarded as safe: Extensive history of safe use as both food and medicine across multiple cultures²³

Cautions:

  • Very high doses may cause nausea or vomiting due to saponin content²⁴
  • Roots contain higher alkaloid content and have purgative/emetic properties – use leaf and flower primarily⁶
  • Theoretically could interact with blood thinners due to salicylic acid content, though amount is relatively low
  • Yellow-flowered species may have higher saponin content and be less palatable²⁵

Pregnancy/Nursing: Safe as food. Traditionally used during pregnancy and nursing for nutritional support. Insufficient data for large medicinal doses – consult healthcare provider²³

Traditional warnings: Not recommended for patients with gastritis or gastric ulcer due to potential gastric mucosa irritation from saponins¹⁶

 

New England Specific

Wild Species in This Region

Viola sororia (Common Blue Violet)

Where found: Lawns, gardens, meadows, woodland edges throughout New England – extremely abundant

Status: Native species

Identification:

  • Purple-blue flowers with white centers (occasionally all-white form)
  • Heart-shaped leaves on separate stems from flowers
  • Grows in clumps via rhizomes
  • 4-8 inches tall
  • Blooms April-June depending on location
  • Self-seeds prolifically

Ethical harvest: Extremely abundant native – sustainable harvest very easy. Many people actively try to remove from lawns and welcome harvesting. Can be considered invasive in garden settings due to aggressive self-seeding. Excellent plant for beginning foragers

Viola odorata (Sweet Violet)

Where found: Gardens, naturalized in some areas of New England, less common than V. sororia

Status: Introduced from Europe, naturalized

Identification:

  • Very fragrant purple or white flowers (distinctive sweet scent)
  • Heart-shaped leaves
  • Spreads by runners
  • Traditional variety used in perfumery and cuisine
  • Smaller plant than common blue violet

Ethical harvest: Naturalized species, generally appropriate to harvest where found. Less common than native violets – don’t assume abundance

Viola pubescens (Downy Yellow Violet)

Where found: Rich woods, shaded areas, forest understory

Status: Native woodland species

Identification:

  • Yellow flowers
  • Slightly hairy (pubescent) leaves
  • Woodland indicator species
  • Less common than blue violets

Ethical harvest: Less abundant than common blue violet – sustainable harvest only where plentiful. Prefer common blue violet for bulk harvest. Appreciate in place when possible

Viola canadensis (Canada Violet)

Where found: Rich moist woods, stream banks, shaded areas

Status: Native

Identification:

  • White flowers with yellow center and purple veining
  • Taller plant (6-16 inches)
  • Beautiful woodland species
  • Less common, prefers specific habitat

Ethical harvest: Native woodland species – appreciate and photograph rather than harvest unless very abundant. Leave for ecosystem support

Seasonal Timing for New England

Early April: First violet leaves emerge, flowers beginning in warmest microclimates and southern New England

Mid-April through May: Peak bloom season for V. sororia (common blue violet). This is the traditional “first violet” time for wish magic

May into June: Continued flowering, late-season violets in northern areas and shaded locations

Summer: Leaves continue growing robustly, can harvest for medicine throughout

Fall: Some species produce cleistogamous flowers (closed, self-pollinating flowers) hidden under leaves. These produce seeds without opening

Winter: Dormant, though sometimes semi-evergreen in mildest winters under snow cover

Growing Considerations for Our Climate

Hardiness: Native species hardy to Zone 3 – perfectly suited for all of New England

Advantages:

  • Extremely low maintenance, nearly indestructible
  • Thrives in shade where many plants struggle
  • Self-seeds freely (too freely for some gardeners!)
  • Early bloom provides crucial early nectar for native bees
  • Edible and medicinal – free food and medicine
  • Beautiful ground cover alternative to grass in shade
  • Tolerates foot traffic reasonably well
  • Deer resistant

“Challenges” (depending on perspective):

  • Can become “weedy” in lawns and formal gardens
  • Spreads very aggressively by seed and runners
  • Some gardeners spend significant effort trying to eliminate
  • Once established, difficult to remove completely
  • Can outcompete desired plants in garden beds

Cultural shift: Violets increasingly accepted as valuable “lawn alternative” in ecological gardening movement. Reframing from “weed” to “resource” growing in popularity³⁸

Garden tips:

  • Encourage in shaded areas as intentional ground cover
  • Allow to naturalize under trees and shrubs (creates living mulch)
  • Mow after flowering if you want to reduce spread in lawn
  • Or embrace the “violet lawn” – beautiful in spring, feeds pollinators, provides medicine
  • Divide clumps in spring or fall to spread faster in desired areas
  • Excellent for erosion control on shaded slopes

Sourcing & Ethics

Wild Harvest

Abundant and appropriate to harvest:

  • Common blue violet (V. sororia) – ubiquitous in lawns, gardens, edges
  • Many people actively try to remove – offer to harvest from their yards (often enthusiastically accepted)
  • Naturalized sweet violet where found in abundance

Harvest sustainably:

  • Leave woodland species alone unless very abundant
  • Take leaves and flowers, leave roots for plant survival and reproduction
  • Never harvest more than 1/3 from any area
  • Spread harvest across multiple patches
  • First violet of spring has magical significance – consider leaving for wildlife and taking second/third violets

Best locations for harvest:

  • Yards and gardens (with permission – people often delighted to share)
  • Woodland edges where abundant
  • Your own property – encourage to spread intentionally
  • Avoid roadsides (car pollution, road salt contamination)
  • Avoid chemically treated lawns (herbicides, pesticides)

“Weed” reframing: Common blue violet often labeled “lawn weed” by conventional turf industry. Actually:

  • Valuable early pollinator plant (blooms when few else do)
  • Edible and medicinal (free food/medicine in most yards)
  • Nitrogen-fixing properties benefit soil
  • Beautiful when in bloom
  • Ecological gardening increasingly values violet lawns

Cultivated

  • Sweet violet (V. odorata) available from nurseries for fragrant garden addition
  • Native violets sold by native plant nurseries for pollinator gardens
  • Or simply allow lawn violets to spread – they require no cultivation
  • Violet is one of easiest plants to “cultivate” – merely refraining from removing it

Growing your own:

  • Incredibly easy – almost too easy to establish
  • Plant in part shade
  • Keep soil moist until established (then quite drought-tolerant)
  • Will self-seed everywhere once happy
  • Divide clumps to spread intentionally to new areas
  • Good edging plant, ground cover, or “lawn alternative” in shade
  • Deer resistant – good for problematic areas

Regional Considerations

Violets and New England lawns:

  • Common blue violet extremely widespread in lawns throughout region
  • Often labeled “lawn weed” requiring herbicide treatment
  • Ecological movement reframing as valuable native plant
  • Provides early spring food for native bees when little else blooming
  • Violet lawns becoming more accepted in sustainable landscaping

First food of spring:

  • Among earliest edible greens available in New England (late March-April)
  • Violet leaves provide vitamin C and other nutrients after winter
  • Traditional spring tonic addressing vitamin deficiency
  • Free food accessible in most yards – no foraging skill required
  • Important cultural practice in homesteading/self-sufficiency communities

Medicinal accessibility:

  • Unlike many medicinal plants requiring specialized knowledge or wilderness access, violet accessible to nearly all New Englanders
  • Growing in yards, parks, edges throughout region
  • No need to purchase from suppliers
  • Excellent beginner foraging plant – easy identification, no toxic lookalikes, abundant
  • Enables medicine-making for people without access to wild lands

Climate considerations:

  • New England’s cold winters no barrier – violet extremely cold-hardy
  • Spring moisture ideal for violet growth
  • Shade from deciduous forests perfect violet habitat
  • Well-adapted to regional conditions (native species)

Pharmacological Actions: Anti-inflammatory, Antifungal, Antihypertensive, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Demulcent, Expectorant, Lymphatic support

Traditional Herbalism Information

Traditional Herbalism

Parts Used & Their Applications

Leaves:

  • Primary medicinal part in modern practice
  • High in vitamins and minerals (nutritive spring green)
  • Lymphatic support via poultice or infusion
  • Edible in salads or cooked as greens

Flowers:

  • Respiratory support (syrup most traditional)
  • Beautiful addition to preparations
  • Edible garnish, salad ingredient
  • Candied flowers traditional

Roots:

  • Stronger emetic/purgative action
  • Higher alkaloid content
  • Rarely used in modern herbalism
  • Traditional use for stubborn constipation

Preparation Methods

Violet Leaf Infusion

1-2 tsp dried leaves (or 2-3 tsp fresh) per cup boiling water. Steep covered 10-15 minutes. For respiratory support, lymphatic congestion, or as nutritive tea. Can drink 2-3 cups daily during acute illness²⁶

Violet Flower Syrup

Traditional spring tonic and cough remedy. Fresh violet flowers steeped in hot water, strained, combined with honey or sugar in 1:1 ratio. Produces beautiful purple syrup used for coughs, sore throat, respiratory complaints. Store refrigerated, use within 6 months²⁷

Violet Leaf Poultice

Fresh leaves crushed (traditionally chewed to release compounds) and applied directly to skin eruptions, swollen lymph nodes, minor wounds, insect bites. Can also use strong infusion as compress²⁸

Violet Infused Oil

Fresh wilted leaves (wilt 12-24 hours to reduce moisture and prevent mold) in olive oil. Folk method: solar infusion 2-4 weeks. Use for massage oil over swollen lymph nodes or breast tissue, or as salve base for skin conditions. Particularly indicated for hardened lymph nodes in breast, underarm, groin, and neck²⁵

Violet Vinegar

Fresh flowers in apple cider vinegar for 2-4 weeks produces beautiful pink color. Use in salad dressings or dilute as refreshing shrub drink²⁷

Fresh Eating

Both leaves and flowers edible raw – among first spring greens available. Add to salads, sandwiches, blend in smoothies. Leaves can be cooked like spinach. Excellent source of vitamins A and C after winter⁴

Traditional Applications

Respiratory support: Violet syrup primary traditional use for coughs, especially dry irritated coughs. Gentle expectorant helps bring up mucus while soothing inflamed throat tissues. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia specifically indicates for whooping cough and acute bronchitis⁴ ²⁶

Lymphatic congestion: Perhaps violet’s most distinctive traditional application – for swollen lymph nodes especially in neck, breast, and groin. Used as tea internally, poultice or oil massage externally. The lymphatic system requires movement and manual manipulation to circulate; violet helps increase drainage and soften hardened nodes²⁵ ²⁸

Mastitis and breast health: Traditional poultice of fresh leaves applied to inflamed breast tissue. Gentle lymphatic action supports during breastfeeding. Also used for fibrous breast tissue and cysts when combined with gentle massage²⁵ ²⁹

Skin conditions: External use for eczema (particularly with serous exudate), psoriasis, dry irritated skin, minor wounds, bruising, broken capillaries. Violet’s alterative, lymphatic, and diaphoretic actions support detoxification through skin⁴ ²⁸

Spring tonic: Traditional nutritive spring green – one of first plants available after winter. Vitamin-rich food and gentle detoxification support. Addresses vitamin deficiency after months without fresh greens¹¹

Gentle laxative: Mild action suitable for children and elders when needed (larger doses). Leaves have mild laxative effect; roots stronger purgative⁶

Headache: Traditionally used for headaches and migraine, possibly related to salicylic acid content (aspirin-like compound)⁵ ³⁰

Heart tonic: Both emotional (soothing, calming) and physical (cardiovascular support) in traditional systems⁶ ²⁰

Harvest Notes

Leaves:

  • Spring through summer harvest possible
  • Best when young and tender (early-mid spring for flavor)
  • Can harvest throughout growing season for medicine
  • Cut leaves leaving roots intact for regrowth
  • Never take more than 1/3 from any patch
  • Dry well spread thin on screens, 2-3 days
  • Freezing fresh leaves works well for later poultice use

Flowers:

  • Early to mid-spring (April-May in New England)
  • Pick when fully open on dry morning after dew evaporates
  • Stems can be included
  • Use fresh immediately or dry quickly in single layer
  • Very delicate – handle gently to preserve color
  • Traditional first violet of spring carries special significance for wish magic

Storage: Dried leaves and flowers in airtight containers away from light. Use within 1 year for best potency and color retention

Traditional Uses: Cough, Gentle Laxative, Lymphatic Congestion, Mastitis, Respiratory Support, Skin Conditions

Magical Correspondences Information

Magical Correspondences

Planetary Ruler: Venus – love, beauty, gentleness, harmony, pleasure

Element: Water – emotions, intuition, healing, dreams, flow

Gender: Feminine (traditional classification)

Deities: Venus/Aphrodite (love, beauty), Persephone (spring return, underworld journey), Io (Greek mythology – transformed to violet by Zeus), Fairy realm associations (liminal spaces, hidden magic)

Magical Intentions

Love:

  • Attracting gentle, tender love (not passionate/fiery)
  • Sweetening existing relationships
  • Self-love and self-acceptance work
  • Platonic love and deep friendship
  • Love that honors vulnerability

Protection:

  • Gentle protective energy (not aggressive/martial)
  • Protection through invisibility or “blending in”
  • Shielding from anger and harsh energy
  • Children’s protection charms
  • Protection during sleep and dreams

Peace & Calm:

  • Soothing anger and conflict
  • Promoting gentleness in communication
  • Easing household tension
  • Creating peaceful environment
  • Calming anxious energy

Healing:

  • Emotional healing and heart opening
  • Gentle physical healing work
  • Supporting recovery and convalescence
  • Nurturing wounded spirits
  • Grief processing

Dreams & Sleep:

  • Promoting restful, peaceful sleep
  • Dream pillows for gentle dreams
  • Prophetic dreams (especially first violet of spring)
  • Protection during sleep and astral travel
  • Dream recall

Fairy Magic:

  • Strong traditional association with fairy realm
  • Used in fairy offerings and altar decorations
  • Fairy communication and petition work
  • Liminal space work (thresholds, dawn/dusk)
  • Hidden magic, secret knowledge

Wishes:

  • Traditional wish magic (first violet of spring)
  • Gentle manifestation work
  • Planting wishes to “grow” them
  • Drawing opportunities through humility

Modesty & Humility:

  • Victorian language of flowers meaning
  • Staying humble and grounded
  • Recognizing beauty in small, hidden things
  • Honoring the overlooked and undervalued

Ritual Uses

Love sachets: Dried violets in gentle love magic – for lasting, tender love rather than passionate affairs. Especially appropriate for self-love work and friendship deepening

Dream pillows: Dried flowers and leaves sewn into small pillows placed under regular pillow or near head of bed for peaceful, prophetic dreams and nightmare protection³¹

Bath magic: Fresh or dried violets in ritual baths for self-love, healing, peace work. Particularly effective for calming after conflict or stress

Wish magic:

  • Find first violet of spring in your area
  • Hold while making wish with clear intention
  • Plant the violet (or leave as offering) to “grow” the wish
  • Carry dried violet for ongoing manifestation
  • Traditional practice across multiple cultures³²

Protection sachets: Violet leaves and flowers for gentle protection, especially for children, sensitive people, or protection during sleep. Not aggressive warding – more like energetic camouflage

Fairy offerings: Leave fresh violets at bases of trees, fairy rings, garden corners, or liminal spaces as offerings to fairy realm. Traditional practice for gaining favor or asking assistance³³

Peace work: Scatter dried violet petals in home to promote harmony. Sprinkle around candles in peace spells. Place under doormat or threshold to calm energy entering home

Altar decorations: Fresh violets as offerings to Venus, spring deities (Persephone, Flora), or fairy realm. Particularly appropriate for Ostara/spring equinox altars

Invisibility magic: Traditional folk magic – carrying violet helps you “blend in” or go unnoticed when needed. Not literal invisibility but energetic subtlety. Useful for avoiding confrontation or moving through spaces discreetly

Color Correspondences

Purple/Blue violets (most common):

  • Spiritual connection and intuition
  • Psychic work and divination
  • Peace, calm, tranquility
  • Emotional healing and gentleness

White violets:

  • Purity and innocence
  • Protection (especially psychic)
  • New beginnings and fresh starts
  • Peace and blessing work

Yellow violets (less common):

  • Joy and happiness
  • Friendship and social bonds
  • Mental clarity and communication
  • Note: Higher saponin content in some yellow species

Sabbat Associations

Imbolc (February 1): Early spring stirring – first violet leaves emerge in milder climates, anticipation of spring

Ostara (March 21): Spring equinox – violets among very first flowers, perfect symbol of renewal, rebirth, gentle fertility. Peak violet time in many areas

Beltane (May 1): Continued bloom in New England, love magic, fairy realm most accessible. Traditional time for fairy offerings and wish magic

Traditional Lore & Folk Magic

  • “Violet” derives from Latin viola, possibly connected to Greek myth of Io transformed into violet flower by Zeus to protect her³⁴
  • First violet of spring grants a wish if found and planted (not picked). Traditional across European and American folk magic³²
  • Violets in home promote peace and protect against evil spirits or negative energy
  • Wearing violets attracts love and wards off bad luck
  • Dream of violets = change in fortune approaching (usually positive)
  • Violets growing on graves = the deceased is at peace and content³⁵
  • *Victorian language of flowers:**³⁶
    • Purple/blue violets = “you occupy my thoughts”
    • White violets = “let’s take a chance on happiness”
    • Giving violets = “I return your love” or declaration of faithfulness
  • Associated with humility and modesty – small, low-growing, often hidden in grass yet beautiful
  • Traditional fairy flower – leave offerings to gain fairy favor or request assistance. Fairies particularly fond of violets according to folklore³³
  • Welsh tradition: first child to find violet in spring has good luck all year
  • If violets bloom in autumn, epidemic expected in following year (old superstition, no basis)
  • Napoleon Bonaparte called “Corporal Violet” by supporters – violets native to his Corsica, he loved their scent. Used as secret symbol during exile³⁷
  • In some traditions, violet represents faithfulness lasting beyond death

 

Regional Magical Timing

First violet of spring:

  • Watch for earliest blooms (late March-April in southern NE, May in northern areas and mountains)
  • Traditional wish magic most potent with genuinely first violet found in your specific location
  • Mark the spot for future years – violet colonies persist
  • Return for harvest when abundant (second and third weeks of bloom)
  • Connection to place through seasonal observation

Peak fairy season:

  • May (Beltane time) when violets carpet shaded areas
  • Liminal spring season when veil thin
  • Leave offerings of violets in garden corners, under trees, at thresholds
  • Traditional fairy offerings include violets, cream, honey

Seasonal magical availability:

  • Fresh violet work: Spring (April-May primarily)
  • Dried violet work: Year-round (preserve spring harvest)
  • Time violet magic with actual local bloom, not calendar dates
  • Different timing in different microclimates even within same region

Bioregional practice:

  • Using local native V. sororia connects magic to actual place
  • Sweet violet (V. odorata) naturalized, part of regional flora for centuries
  • Cultivated ornamental violets less connected to land and local ecology
  • Consider which violet species aligns with your practice intentions

Planetary Rulers: Venus

Magical Intentions: Dreams, Fairy Magic, Healing, Love, Peace, Protection, Wishes

Elemental Associations: Water

References

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³ Zhang, Q., Wang, Q., & Chen, S. (2023). A comprehensive review of phytochemistry, pharmacology and quality control of plants from the genus Viola. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 75(1), 1-32. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpp/rgac041

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²⁰ Janbaz, K.H., Hamid, I., Gilani, A.H., & Zaman, M. (2013). Pharmacological basis for the medicinal use of Viola odorata in cardiovascular disorders. Bangladesh Journal of Pharmacology, 8, 1-8.

²¹ Mehmood, M.H., Munir, S., Khalid, U.A., Asrar, M., & Gilani, A.H. (2012). Antidiarrhoeal, antisecretory and antispasmodic activities of Viola odorata. Phytotherapy Research, 26(4), 567-573.

²² Salwan, R., Rana, A., Saini, R., Sharma, A., Sharma, M., & Sharma, V. (2023). Diversity analysis of endophytes with antimicrobial and antioxidant potential from Viola odorata. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, 54(3), 2361-2374.

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Last updated: January 2026