Chinese Violet

This large genus of some 500 species of mostly annuals, biennials, and perennials is found throughout temperate regions. Sweet violets (V. odorata) were grown commercially in Greece as early as 400BCE for sale in the market in Athens. They were extolled by Muslims in the saying "the excellence of the violet isa s the excellence of Islam above all other religions". The Romans drank violet-flavored wine and were criticized by Horace (65-8BCE) for spending more time growing violets than olives. Violets were the favorite flowers of Napoleon, who was nicknamed Caporal Violette and died wearing a locket of violets taken from Josephine's grave. During the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901), violets reached cult status as were grown on a vast scale for cut flowers and perfumery. Ionene, the main aromatic element in V. odorata, was synthesized in 1893, leading to the decline in the cultivation of violets for perfumery. The downward trend continued as a result of World Wars I and II, and by the mid-20th century cultivars were very scarce or extinct. Violets of various kinds are regarded as cleansing herbs and have been used in the background for treatment of cancer. Viola canina (dog violet) has similar medicinal properties to V. odorata, but has unscented flowers. Viola yezoensis has featured in trials for treating childhood eczema at the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital in London. Viola striata is also used medicinally and has anti-tumor effects. Chinese herbals feature a number of other species, including V. diffusa, V. inconspicua and V. patrinii. High doses of violets cause nausea and vomiting because of the irritant effect of the saponins on the digestive system.

Perennial with slender rhizomes and ovate heart-shaped, toothed leaves, to 6cm (2½in) long. White, purple-striped flowers about 3cm (1¼in) long are produced in spring followed by 3-lobed capsules.

Common Name:	Chinese Violet
Botanical Name:	Viola yezoensis
Genus:	Viola
Family:	Violaceae
Location:	Japan
Cultivation:	Well-drained, moist, rich soil in sun or partial shade. Remove dead flowers promptly in order to prolong flowering. Plants may be damaged by slugs, snails, and viral and fungal diseases. Viola tricolor self sows freely.
Propagation:	By seed sown when ripe or in spring; by stem tip cuttings in spring or late summer; by division in autumn or spring.
Harvest:	Whole plants, leaves, and flowers are collected during the flowering season, and dried for use in decoctions (V. yezoensis), infusions, and liquid extracts. Roots are collected in autumn and dried for decoctions. Leaves of V. odorata are often used fresh, and flowers may also be picked in spring for extraction of essential oil. V. tricolor is often powdered when dried and used in skin creams.
Height:	20cm (8in)
Width:	20cm (8in)
Hardiness:	Z6-9
Parts Used:	Whole plant (zi hua di ding)
Properties:	A bitter, pungent, cooling herb that clears toxins, reduces inflammation, and is anti-bacterial.
Medicinal Uses:	Internally for boils, carbuncles, snakebite, skin disorders (especially erysipelas), mumps, and "hot" disorders with inflammtion of the eyes, throat, or ears.
Bibliography:	Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright ©: 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pg.405