Wild violet ~ Viola sororia

Wild violet ~ Viola sororia

One of my favorite spring time herbs. I harvested a fairly big 
basket of the leaves and flowers today.  And my yard is still full of them! 

Medicinal Properties: 

demulcent 
anti inflammatory 
expectorant 
lymphagogue 
vulnerary 
antitumor  
diuretic 
mild laxative

Parts Used:
flowers and leaves 

Used For:
food - high in vitamin A and C, delicious mixed in with salad greens, 
sore throats, flower essences, 
lymphatic congestion, 
breast health, dry skin issues - eczema, dry, itchy skin rashes

I'll be infusing some of the fresh flowers and leaves in raw honey. That will be used for sore throats.  

As a demulcent, violets contain within their leaves and flowers what is called mucilage. This mucilage soothes the inflammation and pain associated with sore throats by providing a protective coating that lubricates the inflamed tissues in the throat.  

The violet honey is really easy to make. I take the fresh flowers and leaves, ( I leave the flowers as it but I do like to chop the leaves up in smaller pieces, however, you can use them whole if desired ) add to a glass jar. I fill my jar about 3/4 of the way full. Slowly pour your raw honey over the plant material. I use a butter knife to gently mix and poke the plant into the honey. After adding a lid I like to set mine on the counter where I can keep an eye on it.

You will find that the plant does float up to the top of the jar, when that happens I just turn the jar upside down. I'll the same throughout the infusing process. I like to let mine infuse for 2 weeks. Some people go 3 weeks. Just depends on your preference.

When finished, you can leave the plant in the honey and use as is, or you can strain the plant out. If you choose to strain, it does help if you heat the honey over a very low heat. This will thin it out and make it easier to strain. Just be sure to use that low heat and not for very long as heat does destroy some of the medicinal properties of the honey.

I keep my finished honey sitting the counter. If someone is experiencing a sore throat they'll take a teaspoon every 3-4 hours. It's also good when added to a warm cup of tea. Especially good with wild violet flower tea. 

photo credit - Jorg Hempel

A tea made with the fresh or dried flowers and or leaves is also helpful for the throat. I find taking the infused honey by the spoonful and drinking the warm tea to be the most effective with a sore throat. Noting that when using the infused honey refrain from drinking anything for a while as to not rinse the honey from the throat area. So I drink my tea first then take the honey. 

Demulcent plants contain a very special constituent. It's a polysaccharide molecular complex called mucilage, which has the propensity to become very slimy and gummy when it comes in contact with water. Mucilage is a thick gooey substance produced by many plants. Reference 

The mucilage also helps to loosen and expel mucous from the lungs when it’s too dry for coughing to expel. ~ Jim Mcdonald  Reference

I'll also be making a flower essence with those beautiful violet flowers. The color violet is associated with the crown chakra, which is located on the top of your head. The crown chakra is associated with connecting one to a higher state of consciousness.

Also aides in the moving of stagnant and blocked internal energy - Thus assisting those who are feeling isolated, lonely and or experiencing the inability to connect with others. Assisting those who are experiencing the feeling of being closed off from that higher state of consciousness. 

For information on making your own flower essence, click here 
For more information on the discovery of flower essences, do a search on Dr. Bach - flower essences. His work on flower essences has opened the door for others to learn and further expand on the mental and emotional healing capabilities of flowers. Thank you, Dr. Bach.

I've come across some herbalists who have had success in using violet for treating headaches. I personally can attest that there is relief for the pain associated with headaches. When I eat gluten, which is normally not part of my diet, however, sometimes it just happens, I get these really intense headaches. As soon as I felt one coming on, I made myself a very strong warm tea with the fresh flowers and leaves. I drank 2 cups within an hour, and I tell you, no headache. I was amazed. Usually when I get gluten headaches, they last for hours. Now, I have heard the dried plant is more potent. So far I've just used the fresh. But I'll definitely be drying some for when the fresh is not available.

For lymphatic congestion - if you have ever experienced swollen lymph glands - neck and throat area, that is due to a stagnant lymphatic system. A violet infusion gently flushes and gets the natural flow of fluid moving again. For the infusion, I take a small handful of fresh or dried, leaves and flowers, add that to a pint jar, fill with warm water. Once it reaches room temperature refrigerate over night then strain. I'll sip on that throughout 2 -3 days.   

The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. The primary function of the lymphatic system is to transport lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells, throughout the body. The lymphatic system primarily consists of lymphatic vessels, which are similar to the veins and capillaries of the circulatory system. The vessels are connected to lymph nodes, where the lymph is filtered. The tonsils, adenoids, spleen and thymus are all part of the lymphatic system. Reference 

I want to also add that violet is also used by herbalists for breast health. An infused oil is used as a breast and lymph node - the underarm area, massage oil. Also for internally, tincture and infusions. Do an online search on Susun Weed - violet breast health. She has some books out and also gives classes pertaining to this area.   👍

Elderberry - Sambucus

Ahhhh, behold, the elderberry. Packed full with anti-viral, anti- inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it's no wonder this plant is such a wonderful immunity booster.

As a child, growing up in Pennsylvania, I remember seeing these bushes growing in the wild, they would be covered with the most beautiful shade of deep purple berries. I didn't know what they were at that time or how in the years to come how much that beautiful berry would become a medicinal mainstay in my household. It seems that nature was actually instilling the love and curiosity of her medicinal bounty as I was growing up. That is just so amazing to me. And chances are, if you're here reading this now, nature has instilled that love and curiosity in you too. 💓 

In my experience with elderberry, nothing matches it's abilities when it comes to boosting the immunity and or aiding the body in healing from colds, flu and bronchitis. When taken on a schedule during an illness, (10 drops of elderberry tincture in 1/8 cup of water 3 times a day for 10 days works wonders for me.) it not only shortens the duration of symptoms but also lessens the severity of symptoms too. 

* A study published in the Journal of International Medical Research shows that when the extract is used within the first 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms, it can shorten the duration of flu symptoms by an average of four days.

If it's that time of year for the cold and flu and you're starting to feel run down or have been around someone that is sick, one can start taking elderberry on a daily schedule to boost your immunity. That doesn't mean you won't get sick, but if you do, like I mentioned above, it will shorten the duration of symptoms and lesson the severity of symptoms too. Just remember, everyone's body is different. The dosage that works for you may not be the same dosage that works for someone else. This doesn't necessarily have to do with age or weight, it's just that everyone's body chemistry handles medicine differently, whether it's herbal or pharmaceutical.  

What I have learned over the years is that the smaller the dose the better. If that smaller dose does not seem to be helping then you can always increase it the next dosage time. If you do your research, you will find that you can take up to 30 drops in one dose. So, starting with say 7, that gives you some room to find what works the best for you.

Parts used - berries and flowers

Both berries and flowers offer antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
  
Antiviral - inhibits the development of a virus. Gives your immune system a boost which helps your body to fight off and shorten the duration of a virus and also reduces the severity of symptoms.

Anti-inflammatory - helps with a sore inflamed throat and sinus inflammation that comes with a head cold. Reduces the inflammation in the bronchial tubes, which leads to less coughing.

Antioxidants - work by protecting and repairing the cells from cellular damage - strengthening the immune system. 

* A 2016 study published in Nutrients showed that elderberry supplementation was able to reduce cold duration and symptoms in air travelers. Travelers using this herb from 10 days before travel until four to five days after arrival overseas experienced, on average, a two-day shorter duration of their colds as well as a noticeable reduction in cold symptoms.


The flowers, being a nervine, help to relax the nerves and anxiety by supporting the nervous system through stressful periods.  

Those beautiful white flowers are also great for skin care. They carry within their flowers diaphoretic properties. Although these particular properties in elderflowers are most commonly used for  fevers by aiding the body in sweating the toxins out, the flowers can also be used as a warm facial wash. In doing so this is said to aide in opening the pores thus allowing the skin to "purge" toxins. I make a small warm tea and apply with a cotton ball all over my face. I love it! It smells amazing.

I make an infused oil with the fresh flowers and carrier oil such as raw coconut oil or grapeseed oil. That is then used to make body butters and herbal salves. The salves are used for sunburns and skin rashes, the body butter is used in place of skin lotion. 
  
You can also make a flower essence from the fresh blossoms. Many have found that elderflower calls to them in the way of aiding in the opening of their crown chakra.  
Located at the top of the head, the crown chakra gives us access to higher states of consciousness. However, that is not to say with elderflower essence that is the only path in which she assists. 

Over the years I have come to learn that one particular flower may heal and or assist another person in a completely different way, and given the opportunity, the flower can and will seek one out for a particular healing. That is why in my teachings on flower essences I promote learning how to tap into your intuition, so you are able to hear for yourself the call from a particular flower in regards to a healing. 💓    

To learn more about flower essences, click here 
To learn about making elderflower infused oil, click here
To learn about making tinctures and other herbal preparations with elderberry and elderflower, click here.

    

Monarda fistulosa - Bee balm

I'm fortunate to have several chemical free areas close to where I live to harvest wild flowers. This plant here, Bee Balm, she is one of the most beautiful plants to see growing in the wild. It grows quite abundantly in my area, in large tall clumps. ( up to 5 feet ) Bees, butterflies and humming birds are attracted to this beauty, making it somewhat of a challenge to harvest, but sooo worth the time and patience. 



Medicinal Properties

Antibacterial - healing topical wounds and infections. I have found that applying a healing salve or a cloth soaked in a strong bee balm tea clears up wounds and topical infections quite well. A tincture or tea can be used as a mouth wash to treat mouth ulcers and gingivitis. Also makes a good mouth wash to freshen the breath.  😁

Anti-inflammatory - applied topically, a healing salve or tea soak helps with the swelling and pain associated with wounds and infections. A tincture or drinking a cup of bee balm tea helps with the burning and inflammation that comes with a yeast infection and the inflammation associated with digestive issues.  

Anti-fungal - yeast infections, ringworm, athletes feet. A healing salve, oil or tea soaked cloth can be applied topically for athletes feet. Although treating from the inside out does seem to be more effective. In that case a tincture can be taken in addition to the tea soak. If caught in the early stages, a tincture or tea can be taken for a yeast infection. I have found, for me, that the tincture works better. However, that doesn't mean the tea won't work better for someone else. Everyone's body is different.     


Bee balm is also good for cold and flu season. An herbal and or sipping on a warm cup of tea made with the leaves and flowers or honey infused bee balm can be taken on the onset of a cold, flu or sore throat. Also helps with digestive issues such as gas, bloating, cramps, colic, nausea and vomiting.     
There is so much more medicinal information out there on bee balm. You really should do some more research and see what else it has to offer.  








     

Elderberry Glycerite - Tea

At the time I wrote this post I had a doozy of a head cold and a sore throat from all that sinus drainage. This tea.. the sweetness from the berries, flowers and vegetable glycerin, really make this a delicious and soothing tea for colds and sore throats.💓
   

I made this particular glycerite with fresh elderberries, fresh blackberries and fresh elder flowers. If you don't have access to fresh berries and flowers, you can use dried or frozen berries or dried elder flowers. 

Okay, let's talk about the herbs I used for this delicious glycerite. I chose the elderberries, blackberries and elder flowers for their antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. 

Antiviral properties inhibit the development of a virus. Gives your immune system a boost which helps your body to fight off and shorten the duration of a virus and also reduces the severity of symptoms.  

Anti-inflammatory properties help with a sore inflamed throat and the sinus inflammation that comes with a head cold. Also reduces inflammation in the bronchial tubes, which leads to less coughing. 

Antioxidants work by protecting and repairing the cells from cellular damage - Damage caused from a poor diet, chemicals in our food, water, bath and beauty products. Air pollution, pesticides, smoking, mental stress, emotional stress, lack of sleep. All these factors contribute to the weakening of our inner cellular structure - resulting in illness and at times, disease. 

Elder flowers

Because this herbal preparation is concentrated, I only added 10 drops to a cup of hot water and sipped three times a day.    

 If you don't have your herbal glycerite prepared, you can still get the same medicinal benefits by making a tea with fresh or frozen berries and fresh or dried elder flowers.   😊

Bee balm Honey

Fill a glass jar with fresh bee balm flowers, slowly add raw honey. Be sure to use raw honey as raw is unprocessed unlike pure or natural honey. Keep poking and gently stirring with a knife until the flowers are submerged in honey. Cover with a lid and let infuse in a cool dark place for 2-4 weeks. The longer it infuses the stronger the honey will taste of the bee balm. 


You may have to keep turning the jar on it's side during the process as the flowers do have a tendency to float to the top of the jar. After infusing you can leave the flowers in the honey and use as is or strain the honey through a sieve. If you choose to strain the flowers out it makes it easier to warm the honey first. Keeping in mind to "gently" warm the honey. Too much heat will kill the medicinal properties in the honey. The used flowers added to a warm cup of water alone or with a little honey makes a delicious tea. 

Besides tasting amazing, honey is loaded with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which makes it great for minor burns, wounds and pressure / bed sores. When used for wound care, the medicinal properties promote healing and new tissue growth. It also creates a protective barrier which helps to prevent infections while the skin is healing. You can either place the honey directly on the skin, or apply the honey to a bandage and place that over the area. If using on burns, be sure to cool the area off first before applying honey. You can do this by running cool water, not cold, over the area for 10-15 minutes, then apply the honey.

Bee balm also has those anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties as well as pain relieving properties which can help soothe sore throats and coughs. So when infused with the honey you're getting even more healing benefits. I've found that taking a teaspoon of the honey 3 times a day really does speed up the healing of my sore throats. Also taste good in a cup of warm tea.