Viola Herb > Reviews (1)

It's the time of year to start sowing seeds and getting the garden ready for the spring and summer. The reviews I have done about herbs went down really well and a lot of feedback of people was great. Seems people where printing them out and saving them for future reference.

It nice to know I can help and I also enjoy knowing people like reading my reviews about herbs.

Viola - viola VIOLACEAE

***The Plant***

I know your thinking Viola is it an herb?

I was surprised I have been growing it in my front garden for the last 7 years as I love its lovely colours, it's a great looking flower that seems to last for ages. Did you know these small wild pansies always turn to face the sun?

Violas where made famous by Shakespeare in Midsummer Night's Dream, and there are lots of references in romantic poetry as they where used as a love potion.
(See Picture)

***Species***

Viola tricolor is a hardy perennial which is grown as a annual, this is because it produces its best flowers in its first year, It can grown to a height of 15 inches and spread about the same. The flowers are like a small pansy which varies in colour with blue, yellow, white, purple and black petals. The viola flowers throughout the summer until we hit the first frosts.

***Cultivation***
Sow seeds in autumn in seed trays or pots and cover with a thin layer of perlite or sieved soil, and place in a cold frame for the winter.

Germination will occur by the following spring and when large enough to handle plant out direct. Established plants can be divided in the autumn and planted in prepared site.
Viola is a self seeding plant and grows well in all types of soil conditions, but viola hates waterlogged sites.

They prefer to be planted in full sun but will grow well in partial shade, the will grow quiet happy in containers and look well in an herb garden. (But don't forget they self-seed)

To keep colour throughout the summer deadhead the flowers and pinch out the growing tips. Cut back in autumn to encourage new growth and to help survive the winter months.

***Medicinal***

Violas are used as a detoxifying herb to treat whooping cough, bronchitis, skin diseases and arthritis. An infusion made with the stems, flowers and leaves will soothe itching skin, this need to be a cold infusion then bathe the area affected.

An infusion of the flowers only are supposed to mend a broken heart, when added to the bath it helps aches and pains

***How to make a tea infusion***

Ingredients
1 teaspoon or 1 tablespoon of herbs in a tea pot
1 cup of boiling water

Method

1, Boil the water
2, Put the herbs into the cup/pot
3, Poor the boiled water over the herbs
4, Cover the cup or pot
5, Wait 5-10 minuets
6, Pour the infusion through sieve
7, Drink the tea in small sips
8, Add honey to taste if you need to
9, Put the old herbs on he compost bin

***Culinary***

The flowers are edible and can be added to salads.

***Other uses***

This was a very strange one I read about.

A cold infusion of the flowers, leaves and stems is diluted in drinking water and given to racing pigeons help them to fly faster?

***WARNING***

Taking in large doses it can cause vomiting and nausea and diarrhea
As with all herbal medicine do your researches before you use it!

Thanks for reading my reviews, and thank you for rating them.

Tashi Delek (May everything be well)

the_enlightened_one © 2008