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violas as medicine?
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Posted by SHLGR2 Z5-6 OH (My Page) on Wed, Sep 8, 04 at 14:24
| I WAS WONDERING IF I CAN USE MY VIOLA LABRADORICA(SWEET VIOLET) IN THE SAME WAY THAT YOU WOULD USE VIOLA SPECIES FOR SKIN CONDITIONS, THROAT AILMENTS, AND SKIN CONDITIONS? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: violas as medicine?
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oh I hate this question... I used to ask it.. but I think that you can't guarantee the strength of the medicinal value in a non "species" plant... sometimes the hybridization breeds it out. I know that viola odora and viola tricolor are the breeds listed in my favorite herbal as the useful ones.
I finally learned that officinalis means medicinal/edible, now if all medicinal herbs could be labeled like that we'd have it a lot easier. |
RE: violas as medicine?
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| I just eat my violas, flower and leaf. I don't worry about the strength of any medicinal property. |
RE: violas as medicine?
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Viola labradorica is the Labrador Violet, a Canadian native whose range extends to New England, Wisc. & Mich.
Viola odorata and V. tricolor are both European natives which have naturalized in the US. None of the above are hybrids.
When properly written, X in the latin name designates that the plant is a hybrid. It should be noted that many plants including violets hybridize freely in nature.
Early 19th century botanists assigned the species name officialis to many plants both woody and herbaceous, its meaning is simply "common", having no herbal designation. |
RE: violas as medicine?
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| I believe vulgaris means "common" and officinalis means "the official species used for pharmacy". |
RE: violas as medicine?
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RE: violas as medicine?
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Traditionally only V..odorata was used for medicine (See Maude Grieve "A Modern Haebal" available on line!) or Maurice Messague or indeed my own book "The Healing Garden".
Herbalists call violets "blood purifiers" a term more usually applied to diuretics. No one can say how Violets "purify the blood" they certainly don't work the same way as traditional herbal blood purifiers
I personally use the leaves in a tea for a sore throat (with a little lemon thyme). It is very effective.I aways munch a leaf or two when watering the garden and often add leaves and flowers to salads.
Violet leaves have been used to treat some cancers.
The chemisty of Violet is complex (see http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/academic/medicine/alternative-healthcare/herbal-medicine/SWSBM/Constituents/Viola_odorata.txt)
Very recent research has found that all Violaceae contain "cyclotides"
These are amazing chemicals with many medicinal uses including anti-viral. (google 'cyclotide' you will be amazed!) much research is being done at Queenland Uni on medicinal violets eg
The Australian Native Violet, which I never considered medicnal, aparently contains cyclotides in the roots
Michael
michaeangelica@gmail.com |
Here is a link that might be useful: The Fragrant Garden
RE: violas as medicine?
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| I have recently read that all violas have the same medicinal value. |
RE: violas as medicine?
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RE: violas as medicine?
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| Sepia officinalis has no medicinal value, officinalis just means official, not what specifically it is officially used for. |
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