Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves
Edible Uses: Condiment  Tea

Young leaves and flower buds - raw or cooked[21, 85, 183]. Usually available all through the winter[K]. The leaves have a very mild flavour, though they soon become quite tough as they grow older. They make a very good salad, their mild flavour enabling them to be used in bulk whilst other stronger-tasting leaves can then be added to give more flavour[K]. When added to soup they thicken it in much the same way as okra[62, 85, 159]. Also used as a flavouring in puddings etc. A tea can be made from the leaves[85]. Flowers - raw. Used to decorate salads and desserts[5, 9, 85]. A sweet mild flavour with a delicate perfume, the flowers are an especially welcome decoration for the salad bowl since they are available in late winter[K]. The flowers are also used fresh to flavour and colour confectionery[238]. A soothing tea can be made from the leaves and flowers[85, 183]. A leaf extract is used to flavour sweets, baked goods and ice cream[183].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiinflammatory  Antirheumatic  Cancer  Demulcent  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Emetic  Emollient  
Expectorant  Homeopathy  Laxative  Purgative  Urinary

Sweet violet has a long and proven history of folk use, especially in the treatment of cancer and whooping cough[4, 165, 218]. It also contains salicylic acid, which is used to make aspirin[244]. It is therefore effective in the treatment of headaches, migraine and insomnia[244]. The whole plant is anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, and laxative[4, 7, 21, 46, 165]. It is taken internally in the treatment of bronchitis, respiratory catarrh, coughs, asthma, and cancer of the breast, lungs or digestive tract[238]. Externally, it is used to treat mouth and throat infections[238]. The plant can either be used fresh, or harvested when it comes into flower and then be dried for later use[4]. The flowers are demulcent and emollient[240]. They are used in the treatment of biliousness and lung troubles[240]. The petals are made into a syrup and used in the treatment of infantile disorders[240]. The roots is a much stronger expectorant than other parts of the plant but they also contain the alkaloid violine which at higher doses is strongly emetic and purgative[4, 244, 254]. They are gathered in the autumn and dried for later use[7]. The seeds are diuretic and purgative. They have been used in the treatment of urinary complaints are considered to be a good remedy for gravel[4]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the whole fresh plant[4]. It is considered useful in the treatment of spasmodic coughs and rheumatism of the wrist[4]. An essential oil from the flowers is used in aromatherapy in the treatment of bronchial complaints, exhaustion and skin complaints[238].

Essential  Litmus

An essential oil from the flowers and leaves is used in perfumery[57, 100]. 1000kg of leaves produces about 300 - 400g absolute[46]. The flowers are used to flavour breath fresheners[238]. A pigment extracted from the flowers is used as a litmus to test for acids and alkalines[4, 13, 100, 115]. Plants can be grown as a ground cover when spaced about 30cm apart each way[208]. They make an effective weed-excluding cover[K]. ornamental. A dynamic accumulator gathering minerals or nutrients from the soil and storing them in a more bioavailable form - used as fertilizer or to improve mulch.

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator  Food Forest  Ground cover  Scented Plants