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The Versatile Violet: Flower and Food

By Artemisia

Viola papilionacea, the common blue violet, is not only a beautiful harbinger of spring, but also a .flower with hidden nutritional treasures. The leaves and blossoms are rich in Vitamin C, and the leaves are an excellent source of Vitamin A. Violet blossoms are three times as rich in Vitamin C, weight for weight, as oranges, and one-fourth of a cup of violet leaves supplies the adult daily requirement for Vitamin A.

There are over 100 species of violets growing in the United States and Canada. Most are blue or violet shades; however, some are also white or yellow. The yellow violet is the only species that should not be gathered for food as it can have a cathartic effect on some people.

Unlike many wildflowers, the violet is not harmed by picking its blossoms, since the flowers seldom produce seed. Seeds are produced in abundance beneath the leaves.

In addition to their use as food, violets have a long history in herbal cures. However, before discussing the medicinal value of violets, it is important to understand a few terms referring to the preparation of herbs:

Poultice: A soft paste, hot or cold, wrapped in a cloth and applied externally.

Infusion: A liquid prepared by pouring boiling water onto the herb and later straining the cooled solution.

Tisane: A tea made from diluted plant infusion.

VIOLET

Athenian women and men used violets in prepared medicines to "moderate anger," to "procure sleep," and "to comfort and strengthen the heart." Throughout the Middle Ages, violet concoctions were taken for asthma, nervousness, headaches, gout, colds, sore throats, bronchitis, and whooping cough.

Violet Poultice: Make an infusion of one handful violet leaves per one pint boiling water. Allow the liquid to stand 12 hours; reheat. Dip V Sad con Cont pawfinge Page 6/What She Wants/April-May, 1983

a cloth into the warm solution and apply to the affected area (during this treatment, drink one pint of liquid made from dried violet leaves (tisane) daily).

A book from England 1 consulted said that poultices made from violet leaves were considered by old country herbwomen' to be helpful for external breast cancers.'

Violet ointment has long been used for both humans and animals to help heal sores. It is especially good for sore nipples due to nursing.

Violet Ointment: Melt 1 oz, lanolin and 3 oz. cocoa butter in a small stone jar. Add as many fresh violet leaves as the melted fats will cover and set in a medium oven, 350° for 1 hour. Pour through a strainer and store in covered jars.

Violets are good for headaches brought on by lack of sleep, nervous tension, eyestrain, or stuffy rooms. Violet Headache Tisane: Make a tisane of 1 tsp. dried herb, or 3 tsp. fresh herb (leaves and flowers) per 1 cup boiling water; let steep 5 min. When using the fresh herb, crush the leaves before adding the water; strain, add honey (optional).

A gargle or mouthwash of violets can provide relief from sore throats and mouths.

Sore throat infusion: Make an infusion of violet leaves using 3 Tbl. fresh leaves and 1 pint (2 cups) boiling water (crush the leaves before adding the water); let stand 4-6 min. Add honey, if desired. Use as a mouthwash.

For coughs, use violet leaves mashed together with honey or make a tisane of the leaves. Take intermittently throughout the day.

Violets have also been used as an ingredient in cosmetic cleansers at least since the 1600's and probably sooner. One of the first commercial skin lotions was sold in England in the 17th Century and contained rosemary, fennel, feverfew, violets, and nettles, diluted with milk. Herbal cosmetic cleansers are easy to make in your own home:

Creamy Violet Cleanser: In a stone bowl or Crock place 1 oz. lanolin, 1 oz. cocoa butter, and 4 Tbl. sweet almond oil. Stand the bowl in a pan of boiling water and let the ingredients melt, stirring occasionally. Remove the bowl from the pan and add 4 Tbl. of a strong infusion of violet flowers and leaves. Whisk the mix by hand until it is slightly cooled and well blended. Pour into a screwtop jar. Shake before use. (The Herb Book)

Herbal Cleansing Oll: Use 4 Tbl. safflower, almond or sunflower oil as a base. Add 3 tsp. dried violet herb (blossoms and leaves), simmer gently 5 min. Cool and strain into a screwtop jar. Herbs steeped in natural oils provide good cleansers for dry skins and they soften and condition the skin at the same time. (The Herb Book)

Violet Cleansing Lotion: Add 3 Tbl. fresh picked violet flowers to 1 cup fresh milk. Put in a pan and warm over a very gentle heat until it smells strongly of violets. (Do not boil.) Remove from heat, cool and strain into a screwtop bottle. Keep in refrigerator no longer than three days. (The Herb Book)

Another old-time use for violets was as a sweet water for linen. The herbs were placed in the rinsing water during laundering or the newly-washed sheets

(continued on page 15)

were sprinkled with herb waters and spread to dry over bushes of lavender and rosemary.

Violet Water: Fill a pan with fresh-scented violet flowers, cover with water and bring to the simmering point for a few minutes. Cool slightly and strain. Refrigerate and use within 2-3 days. (The Complete Book of Herbs and Spices)

In addition to these uses, violets also are a fine food.

Violet Greens: Gather only young, tender bright green leaves. Wash thoroughly and snip (continued on page 15)

May Celebrations

By Trillium

The last day of April, known as May Eve, is one of the eight ritual days of the solar year. May Eve falls halfway between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice, signifying the beginning of good weather, the return of flowers, and the coming plentitude of Summer.

During the time of the Matriarchies, the day was sacred to the poet Sappha, the fairy queen Brigid, and the Goddesses Dana, Tuatha, Aphrodite, Vesta, Rauni. Festivals were held for Maia and her six Sisters, the mountain Goddesses of Spring, and for Flora, the Goddess of Flowers.

May Eve'is known by many names and was (and is) celebrated by many cultures. In England, the festival is known as Roodmas (rood means pole), and the following day, May Day, is the day of Maypole and Circle dances. In Germany, May Eve is known as Walpurgis Night, and in Ireland, it is called Beltane, meaning Bright Fire. For witches, May Eve is a night second only to Hallomas, the date opposite it in the year, when the world of spirit is closest to the material world.

Famous for its magic and exuberant revelry, there are special rituals associated with May Eve. A beltane, or bright fire, is burned on a hilltop to signify purification and to encourage the sun's brightness. Leaping over the fire is said to bring good luck. Lit torches are carried around fields and gardens to symbolize the moon and thus promote growth.

Perhaps the best known symbols of May Eve are May baskets and Maypoles. With the warm and sunny days of Spring, wreaths of flowers are woven and worn, and baskets of flowers are given to friends and lovers. A Maypole, crowned with flowers and hung with multi-colored ribbons, symbolizes the Tree of Life. The dance around the Maypole, which weaves in and out, represents the weaving together of our lives. Fruits, flowers and round cakes are hung from tree branches and bushes to remind us of life's abundance.

The days of May are magical and festive. They are days of delight. We take delight in our sensuality and sexuality, and we celebrate our joy for life, our love for ourselves, and for other wimmin. Join with your sisters this May and celebrate the Magic!

To learn more about wimmin's rituals, read The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Great Goddess, by Starhawk, and Ripening: An Almanac of Lesbian Lore and Vision, by Lee Lanning and Vernette Hart.

י!