When I moved into Leaf Retreat I was blessed with lovely patches of Viola riviniana and reichenbachiana belonging to the Violaceae family. The low-growing perennial blossoms from March to April, turning the ground into a delicate lilac carpet. Commonly known as common dog violet, Viola riviniana and early dog violet (viola  reichenbachiana) are considered inferior to the fragrant and medicinal Viola odorata. Not inferior in nature however, as its heart-shaped leaves provide a home for the fritillary butterfly on which to lay her eggs. Viola  reichenbachiana have a purple spur as in the picture below, while riviniana has a paler coloured spur, with the latter flowering a little later too.

Last year I added some Viola odorata plants to my small patch of woodland in the hope to one day use the leaves and flowers for medicine. Like all Violas they have the cutest cordate (heart-shaped) leaves, around 3-5cm in size. The purple flowers are darker in colour and around 1-2cm also flowering in autumn; the nodding, spurred, fragrant flowers hold the iconic fragrance hence odorata. This cold-hardy plant thrives in moist, well-drained soil and prefers partial shade, mimicking its natural woodland habitat. It grows through delicate runners (stolons); given shaded parts are harder to fill, violet is great at self-seeding so you can look forward to additional blooms over the years.

If you are new to foraging, there can be some look-a-likes and confusion. Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna) is sometimes mistaken for yellow violets with its cordate leaves; given the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, it has toxic potenital and this one should be avoided. The common houseplants known as African violets are a totally different species (Saintpaulia spp.), despite their common name, and are also toxic. There are also white and yellow cultivars but for edible or medicinal purposes it is best to focus on established tradition as unknown cultivars may have different chemical compositions.

Sadly, violets are becoming less common in the wild due to habitat loss and, dare I say it, possibly over-picking. You only need a few petals to add to a vinegar, or they look lovely in salads or frosted as cake decorations. I have never seen enough to make syrups and perfume, and I tend to leave them to self-seed.

I buy cultivated Viola odorata leaves and flowers to use in my clinic but if you have an abundant patch, you can dry a few flowers and leaves as medicine. It is a wonderful herb to to ameliorate sore throats, respiratory infections, the digestive tract and skin diseases, such as eczema. If the dried leaves are left in water they turn gloopy and produce mucilage that works its magic.

However, the humble violet is much more than mucilage! Notably, violets contain salicylic acid, a naturally occurring compound from which aspirin was originally derived and it is therefore best to avoid this herb if you have an aspirin allergy due to unknown outcomes. In general Viola odorata is considered a safe herb with an abundant traditional history of use.

Want to experience the gentle energy of Viola odorata? Why not order a small amount from us to try - perfect for sore throats or inflamed skin - a good one to have in your cupboard!

Have you encountered Viola odorata? Share your own experiences and stories in the comments below.

For me a quick internet search pulled up a top ranking page from Round Up Pesticides on how to remove violets from your lawn. I can only dream of a bouncy moss-filled violet lawn! Doesn’t the world sometimes seem upside down? It is so sad to think anyone would want to remove a breeding ground for pollinators or a pretty and fragrant little plant. I suppose all we can do is educate and pass on the appreciation for a little gentle viola magic and hope they change their ways!

Photo 1 is a close up of early dog violet, viola reichenbachiana,  as is photo 4. Photo 2 and 3 are both species of viola odorata, followed by a white variety.