Foraging Wild Violets for The Cottage Apothecary

Wild Violets are a widely available spring perennial that grows in sunny fields, patches of backyard woods, and along neighborhood sidewalks. These lovely and delicate flowers can be used in a variety of culinary and medicinal recipes and have been for many centuries. I love to spot them in the underbrush on a mountain hike or in a rustic lawn where dandelions and violets are peeking through the grass. Some people see them as weeds, but, like many other “weeds”, wild violets are beautiful wildflowers with many uses in the kitchen and cottage apothecary. 

Not so long ago, most lawns and yards were useful, cultivated spaces that provided food for families, native habitats for animals, and shade. Before the era of manicured lawns sprayed with pesticides and edged to the millimeter, properties were worked and farmed. Backyards were filled with chicken coops, edible landscaping, garden beds, fire pits for cooking, and more. Now beautiful, wild, native plants are labeled as weeds and destroyed in favor of homogenous lawns.

It is time to reclaim our yards, laws, parks, and other outdoor spaces. Living in harmony with nature means no longer seeing plants as a problem to solve but as tools to live a better more beautiful life. If you like learning about foraging and herbal remedies, check out my other blogs on the topic.

How to identify wild violets 

Wild violet leaves do have poisonous look-alikes, so you will want to be 100% confident about your foraging before consuming. As always, it is best practice to have three forms of identification before foraging anything new. I like to use a book, a trusted internet source, and a mentor experienced in foraging when confirming a species that is new to me. 

Wild violets are short plants that prefer growing in shaded areas. They grow in clumps, with (usually) violet flowers emerging from the leafless stalk. The leaves are heart shaped, basal, and toothed but rounded.

Additional tips:

• Harvest from areas that have not been sprayed with pesticides in at least 7 years 
• Avoid violet root as it is toxic in excess
• Only harvest plants with confirmed violet flowers in order to confidently choose the right plant 

I will share an infographic below to help you in your violet identification, but I would also recommend you visit some of the foraging resources below to further familiarize yourself with wild violets

Harvesting

As soon as you start to see the flowers freshly opening, wild violets can be harvested. This will happen between March and June in North America. I like to gather blooms and leaves in the morning with they are most fresh and not yet dried out from heat and sun. REMEMBER: African violets are not the same as wild violets and cannon be foraged.

Foraging Resources:

Foraging and Feasting: A Field Guide and Wild Food Cookbook

The Complete Guide to Edible Wild Plants

Forager’s Pocket Guide

Seek App

Properties and benefits of wild violets

Parts used: aboveground parts in flower; flowers and leaves

Edible use: flower and leaves are both edible. Younger leaves and flowers are more tender for fresh eating, but older leaves can be eaten after being cooked down a little bit.

Types of medicinal preparations: Infusion, syrup, honey, vinegar, poultice, compress, salve, and infused oil

Herbal benefits

DISCLAIMER:

I am not a medical professional and this information is for entertainment purposes only. None of my statements have been evaluated by the FDA. Please do your own research and due diligence when foraging and practicing herbal medicine. I am not legally responsible for the health of my readers.

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More blogs from the cottage apothecary:

Why You Should Brew Loose Leaf Tea

Whipped Tallow Balm with Honey and Shea

What is an Adrenal Cocktail? Recipes to Hydrate and Replenish

Tallow Lotion Bars with Beeswax and Calendula