The juice or gel of aloe vera has several healing properties. Frozen and stored in the freezer these are quickly grabbed and available when you urgently need them. Fresh from the leaves or gel in tubes works well for external use. When consuming I prefer juice that is preservative free.
The gel or ice cubes can be used externally to soothe and reduce pain, itching, or redness. Use these violet infused cubes on burns, rashes, bug bites, hemorrhoids, sunburn, blisters, acne or “heat” related skin conditions. Aloe has been used internally to reduce inflammation ,clear heat, and heal tissues as it relates to ulcers, sore throat, heartburn, hot flashes, indigestion, and conditions related to the stomach and intestines.
Avoid using aloe internally during pregnancy and nursing. Large dosages can aggravate the digestive system.
Violets make the perfect addition to this recipe with their own similar “cooling” properties.
Other flowers that work well include chamomile, calendula and rose.
Ingredients
1/2 cup of aloe gel or juice
1/2 cup of fresh picked spring violet flowers. The more you use the more intense will be the purple color.
Instructions
- Place the violet flowers and aloe vera gel/juice into the contianer of a small food processor or blender. Blend them together thoroughly until the flowers become tiny bits. You mixture will be frothy.
- After blending, strain the purple liquid through a fine mesh sieve. Use your fingers to press and squeeze it through (the juice works better for this). You can add extra water to help out if need be. Let your liquid settle for 10 minutes. Use a spoon to scoop out any foam.
- Store the finished product in a glass jar in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze in ice cube trays and store individual cubes in freezer bags for 3 to 6 months.
Garden violets can be found in lawns, woods, meadows, and roadsides that have light shade. This small (3-6 inches) perennial sends out runners/a creeping rootstock which takes hold and allows it to slowly spread. Vivid green heart shaped leaves are basal, petioled, and cordate. Nodding sterile purple flowers with 5 irregular petals appear on long peduncles in the early spring. The true seed producing flower are tiny and very hard to see. This plant prefers rich soil and a wet environment.
Family:Viola/Violet
Parts used:leaver, flowers, and roots
Violets are a lot more that French perfume and pastilles. As medicine they have a history of being used as an expectorant for colds, bronchitis, asthma and childhood illnesses. Clears heat, pain, infection, swelling and inflammation. Has been used to treat arthritis, rheumatism, cancer, tumors headaches, fever, and ulcers. Considered by some to be a blood purifier. High in mucilage which soothes irritations of the bladder, urinary tract, stomach, intestines, throat, and gums. This plant may help with constipation, insomnia, anxiety, eczema, cracked nipples, mastitis, acne, cradle cap, psoriasis, sore feet, skin growths/cysts, swollen glands/lymph nodes, varicose veins, conjunctivitis, hemorrhoids and bad breath. Violet can be used to ease heartbreak and grief.
Violet has become my go to for relieving flu like symptoms fast.
Violets make a lovely floral addition to syrups, sugars, salads, desserts, jellies, and other dishes. Infused into wine, vinegar, oil, glycerin and honey.
Energetics/Taste:Cool, moist, pungent, bitter, sweet.
Element:Water
Contraindications: The seeds and roots may cause vomiting. Health issues that are “cold” in nature
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