ROSES ARE RED VIOLETS ARE BLUE

 Welcome to rainbow Summer School and the color violet. Please thank Mrs. Matlock here. I thought of several different ways to showcase the color violet but I decided to go with an old favorite and then give you a brief history of "violet",

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Sugar is sweet
And so are you!

The words in this poem can be traced as far back as 1590. I have always loved a sweet poem and I always liked this one as a kid. Of course we made up naughty ryhmes as kids too:

Roses are red
Violets are blue
Your mother smells
And you do too!

That was about as wild as my friends and I got when we were growing up.

Now here is a bio about violet and I think you will enjoy this little history I found on the internet.

Other names

Violet
Violet Ordorato
Other names Common Violet, Ordinary Violet, Garden Violet, Sweet Violet

Habitat

Violets are European perennials. They are now naturalized thorughtout North America., and can be found growing in most any soil or situation.

Cultivation

Violets are easily cultivated through root cuttings or seeds. With over 900 species, plant identification to the exact is an expertise in itself.  However all have practically the same medicinal and edible herb values.

Description

The heart shaped leaves often with scalloped or slightly serrated edges are the dark green , smooth and sometimes downy underneath, and grow in a rosette at the base of the plant.  Roots are creeping and send out runners. Depending on soil and light the flowers may be from deep purple to or blue to pinkish  or even yellow whitish.  All have five petals, which may have a yellow (fur) or beard on the inside of two of the petals. blooming from March to June. Gather flowers in full bloom, leaves anytime, and rootstock in the fall. Dry root for later use.


Properties

Medicinal and edible, the flowers and leaves of viola are made into a syrup used in alternative medicine mainly for respiratory ailments associated with congestion, coughing, and sore throat. Flowers are also edible and used as food additives for instance in salad, made into jelly, and candied for decoration. Large does of the root contain an alkoloid called violine which is emetic (causing vomiting) . A decoction made from the root (dry herb) is used as a laxative. Tea made from the entire plant is used to treat digestive disorders and new research has detected the presence of a glycoside of salicylic acid (natural aspirin) which substantiates its use for centuries as a medicinal remedy for headache, body pains and as a sedative. The plants constituents are being studied and show these uses to be valid. Eugenol, Ferulic-acid, Kaempferol, Quercetin, Scopoletin, also show promise in the treatment of many kinds of cancer, arthritis, AIDS, gum disease and more. Used externally the fresh crushed leaves reduce swelling and soothe irritations. As a bath additive the fresh crushed flowers are soothing to the skin and the aroma is very relaxing.

Folklore

 The Ancient Greeks considered the Violet a symbol of fertility and love, they used it in love potions. Pliny recommends that a garland of them be worn around the head to ward off   headaches and dizzy spells.

Recipes

Syrup: Pour one pint of boiling water over 1 cup packed , of fresh flowers and leaves cover and let stand for 12 hours. Strain and squeeze through cloth, add 2 lb. sugar and boil for 1 hour until syrupy. Store in a glass jar. Give 1 tsp. for children 2-3 times a day.

Tea: Steep 1/ 4  dried or fresh herb in 1 cup water for 10 min. stain, flavor to taste. Take in 1/2 cup doses twice a day.

This article was found on the internet by Deb Jackson and Karen Bergeron .

I was a bit long today but I really enjoyed this little research I did! Enjoy!