The health benefits and uses of violet flowers. Also known as viola.
1. There are around 600 different species of viola. Many of these flowers are edible and can be used for cooking, as a natural medicine and in cosmetics.
2. They contain healthy antioxidants called anthocyanins which are extremely healthy for the body.
3. They also contain cylotides making violets a great remedy for treating HIV symptoms, colds and viruses.
4. The most common use of violets is to make a cough medicine for children. Please see the recipe later in the video to make this yourself at home.
5. The flowers can be freshly picked from the plant and added to delicious fruit salads. This is a way of adding a little excitement to your plate.
6. They give off a lovely aroma, and therefore are used to make incense sticks, perfumes and essential oils.
7. The best violets to use are known as sweet violets or English violets. (viola odorata) These are native to Europe and Asia but are now grown all over the world.
8. Do not use African Violets as these are not part of the same species, although they have a similar name.
9. You can also use the leaves from violets to make a healthy tea. This works to relieve headaches and eyestrain.
10. Violet syrup is often used in France to make delicious scones and marshmallows.
11. When made into an oil, it is absolutely wonderful to burn in the home for relaxation. Personally this is one of my favorite smells in the world. The aroma makes the home smell wonderful, without a rich pollen smell which you often find in flower oils.
12. They can be used to thicken soups and add an unusual flavor which works well with most vegetables, especially potatoes.
13. You can also separate the flower petals and add to a jar of extra virgin olive oil. Allow this to infuse for a week. This is beautiful to use in cooking.
14. A violet vinegar can also be made using the same method. This also preserves the violet leaves for much longer.
15. To make violet syrup or cough medicine, take four handfuls of sweet violet leaves, and wash them thoroughly. Then add these to a jar with 200ml of water and allow to infuse overnight in the fridge. The follow day, add the violets and water to a pan and boil with 350g of sugar. Do this until the sugar is dissolved. Then strain this mixture to remove any particles and store in an airtight jar or bottle for up to one year.
16. Take a tablespoon of this to help deal with an itchy cough.
17. This syrup can be used for an endless amount of recipes. It works well with pancakes, in puddings and cocktails.
18. Please see our flowers playlist for other, healthy and edible flowers.
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