Wild Violet

Scientific name: Viola Sororia

Identification: Heart shaped leaves with saw-toothed edges. Flowers one per stem range from deep blue to violet purple.

Benefits: Strengthens immune system, reduces inflammation and is great for common coughs, colds or even as a respiratory soother.

Wild Violets are one of my favorite things to watch come up in the spring, alongside dandelions and purple dead nettle, that array of color is the first sign of warm days to come. I just love foraging for wild violets, and trust me when I say it is a love of passion to forage for some of these wild edibles, and violets being as small as they are takes patience and dedication, but I promise you the time spent is well worth it.

I utilize all the free space I can, and I’ll even go to my parents houses to harvest things in their yard, always trust your source, if you think it’s a place that’s being sprayed with chemicals or there’s chemicals being sprayed nearby, avoid harvesting things there, even wild natives, they have a chance of being affected through pollinators or air. So try your best to harvest from somewhere clean and trustworthy.

You can use wild violets for a number of things, the leaves and flowers are commonly used the most although the whole plant is edible. You can eat them fresh in a salad, or use for decorative culinary purposes, I’ve seen them used in a fruit display, and also on cupcakes, so feel free to get creative! You can dry them and use for tea, juice them, or even make jelly or use that flavor in kombucha or other ferments. Everything on your homestead is to preference, that is one of the best things about living this lifestyle. Once you get the process down, you’ll be using your own personal recipes.

As always be sure to read and study from as many sources as you can. Educate yourself as much as possible as you grow familiar with harvesting from your yard, take your time with each plant and never stop learning!