The Beauty of Violets
There is something quite magical in seeing a lawn or meadow covered in Violets. It's one of the reassuring signs that Spring is upon us. It is the flower of our home State of Rhode Island. The color is soothing, a “signature” in the natural world that harkens to the Crown Chakra in Ayurveda, relating to the brain, pineal gland and endocrine gland. Other “signatures” or associations of purple flowers are that they are associated with mental and psychological well being, spirituality, the sacred, the higher self, mental tranquility and soothing properties. Think Lavender.
Violets also manifest their “signatures'' in their chemical constituents and vital energetics (cooling, moistening) through preparing them in a variety of ways. You can also see these properties reflected in the habitat where they like to grow; in moist damp soil, part sun, part shade. They are great for making syrups for dry cough, or as a tonic for dry atrophic tissue states (dry, hot, and irritated tissues in the body). They can also be paired with other herbs such as marshmallow root, leaf and flower in a cold infusion for extra soothing support due to the mucilaginous qualities of these plants.
Violets are also a stunning addition to food, cakes and beverages. Super high in Vitamin C, A and many other minerals, they are a lovely way to feed the eye and the spirit as well as the body. They are great addition to cocktails + mocktails in the form of ice cubes, garnishes, or my favorite way, in the form of glycerites which I use both internally and as part of cosmetic formulation.
Their fragrance is as soft and pretty as they are. Very powdery like Iris, due to a compound called Ionone. Ionones are both naturally occurring and synthesized in a lab. The synthetic version is used in mainstream perfumery to create vintage inspired “powdery” scented perfumes. Natural perfumers have to work a little harder to create these types of fragrances as you need a huge amount of Violets to yield enough of the Ioanone, and it is a compound with a fleeting scent on it’s own...gone very quickly, so Artisan perfumers who use botanicals to formulate have to get really creative by blending other plant compounds along with the natural Ionone to create that soft, round ,powdery scent in a way that won’t evaporate quickly.
The ancient Greeks thought of Violets as a symbol of fertility and love, and it’s no coincidence that in Medical Astrology the Planetary ruler of Violets is Venus.
Cosmetically, they are AMAZING for the skin! Soothing, moistening, they are great in creams, oils and balms for very dry skin and eczema as they have a wonderful ability to modulate inflammation. Keep an eye out for it in our Apothecary as it will be featured in some of our seasonal products.
So, this Spring, pay a little more attention to these little beauties! Remember and honor them for their long history, lore and multiple modern day usage for so many things that support our senses and well being! The Sweet and humble little violets that are the super pretty icing on our lawns, meadows and fields.
