Violet is the common name of the plant species that make up the Viola genus and are grown mostly in pots. There are between 500 and 600 species. Although it can be grown in many parts of the world, it is mostly grown in the northern hemisphere. It can also grow in Hawaii and Southeast Asia. It grows brightly in nature, but in shade and moist areas.
It is a violet type that can be long-lasting, and can sometimes live periodically. Its leaves resemble the shape of the heart and have irregular, asymmetrical flowers. These flowers are the distinctive feature of the species in the violet family. The color of its flowers is usually violet, which the flower names. But there are also blue, yellow, white, pink or multi-colored blooms. It blooms very abundantly, it can be seen that it blooms all spring and summer.
Violet flowers consist of five leaves; four of them are upward or fan-shaped petals, two of them each, and there is a large lobed lower petal below. This petal can be a little or a lot shorter than the others. The shape and layout of the leaves define many species. One characteristic of some Violet is the elusive scent of their flowers.
Violet flower is used as a salad ornament or for flavoring fish dishes. In desserts, it is added to souffle, cream and flavor to such dishes. Fresh leaves can also be eaten raw or cooked as a vegetable dish. Its flowers, leaves and roots are rich in vitamins A and C. They contain an antioxidant, anthyocynanin. Sugar violet, or crystalline violet sugar is a dessert that is kept in syrup. Hot syrup is poured on fresh leaves and the sugar is kept until it crystallizes and dried. This method has also been used in the past for rose and orange leaves. These candies are still made in Toulouse. They are also used to decorate desserts. There’s more. Violet is also used to flavor liqueurs: such as Creme Yvette, Creme de Violette, and Parfait d’Amour. It is used in Chinese herbal teas.
Violets love lighted environments, but they should not be exposed to direct sunlight. They also live in tree trunks and shade in nature. It needs to see as much light as possible for its flowering, but this light should not be direct sunlight. This lighting can be a window that sees a light morning sun, artificial light, filtered sunlight or lamp light. Violets that do not bloom should be placed in a lighter and even home lighting environment.
The soil of the violet should be kept constantly moist. In cases where it is watered from below, it does not have to add water continuously. In this way, it will absorb water from the bottom as much as it needs. If the bottom chamber is filled with water, no extra watering is required for 2-3 weeks. During watering, water should never touch the leaves. In this case, spots appear on the leaf, and even the leaf may die. Adding fertilizer increases flowering in violet.
Room temperature (20-25 °) and 80% humidity are suitable levels. They tolerate lowering of room temperature at night (18 °). But it is necessary to avoid rapid temperature changes. Violet can be planted directly on the flowerpot. It can also grow by keeping the unrooted leaves of violet in the water. Violet plant can be divided into multiple pots. The leaves are cut so that they have at least 2–3 cm stems. The leaf is planted so that one in four will remain in the soil. The soil should be kept as wet as possible. This period can also be spent in a glass filled with water. After 6 months, it will be a violet plant as before.
It is possible to find the first defined Viola varieties in the 18th century. Although the name Violariae was used by some authors such as Bentham and Hooker in 1862, most authors first adopted the alternative name Violaceae proposed by Lamarck and de Candolle in 1805.
Now let’s talk a little about the benefits of violet. Violet has a sleeping, calming and relaxing effect. Thanks to its calming and sleeping effects, the body relaxes and headaches pass. Thus, the benefits of this medicinal plant also prevent stress. It can also be crushed on the wounds by crushing with its germicidal effect. It is also among the benefits of this fragrant herb that it benefits against diseases such as asthma, high fever, cough, flu, and cold. Benefits of this herb include its use against lung diseases, expectorant and diuretic.
It is a very useful plant against insomnia. If the plant is consumed, it benefits against burns during urination. It helps the boils in the body to recover quickly. People who have dandruff in their hair can get rid of dandruff if they drink the juice of this medicinal plant or rub the plant into their hair. People who have shortness of breath, shortness of breath or asthma can find this medicinal herb by boiling it with honey and drinking it.
Violet oil is used for many skin diseases such as skin wounds, psoriasis, eczema. In addition, violet oil can be used for people who want beauty, when hair care, hair loss, hair shine, moisturizing dry hair, and revitalizing hair. When applying violet oil to the skin and scalp, it should be applied by rubbing like a massage. This medicinal plant, which cleans the blood, can also be rubbed into the skin rashes and benefits against skin wounds by using it as porridge. It is also useful in the treatment of whooping cough and scabies. The leaves can be consumed raw or cooked.
Violet is antipyretic, 100 g dry leaves are boiled in 1 liter of water against cough, kept for 1 day. The next day, drink 1 cup in 3 hours. A teaspoon of honey can also be added for use for cough. As an expectorant, boil 10 g of fresh herbs in 1 liter of water and drink one cup of tea between meals. For the treatment of uterine cancer, four glasses of water are put in the dry flower of a pinch of the plant. After boiling for 20 minutes, it is filtered. The uterus is washed with this water.
There are many places where violet is used. This fragrant flower is used in the perfume industry. It is used in pastry by making candies of flowers. It is placed in salads and eaten raw. It is very delicious when used in violet bulgur rice. 4-5 of the violets (flower-stalk) are thoroughly washed and added to the pot with mint during the cooking of bulgur pilaf. After cooking rice, you can remove the flowers depending on the wish. When you try it, you will see that the pilaf gives a great taste and smell.
Not only that, we would like to share with you the production of violet oil. Wash the violet with plenty of water and clean it well. Then remove all the water with a paper towel or wait for it to dry. Prepare 2 times as much olive oil as the violet you bought fresh. For example, if you are going to use 10 grams of violet, it will be sufficient to use 20 milliliters of olive oil. Take the glass jar with the lid and add the violets in it. Add olive oil on the violets and close the jar and lift it to a place with plenty of sun. Leave the jar in such a place in the sun for at least 1 month. Do not forget to shake the jar well at least once a day.
After waiting for 1 month or more, open the glass jar, pass the mixture in it through a clean cheesecloth. While passing through cheesecloth, tighten the violets softened in the oil so that the oil becomes more aromatic. Take this oil you tighten into a light-proof dark glass bottle with lid and store it in a cool place, preferably in the refrigerator. You can safely use it for about 1 year.
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