Articles Index-Essential Oils
 
VIOLET Viola Odorata
 
This is a perennial herb of the family Violaceae that is native to Britain and found in woods and on banks in the countryside. The generic name is the Latin word for various sweet scented flowers, derived from the same source as the Greek ION. The violet was the plant the Greeks named Ion, from Io, who was a daughter of Ianchus, beloved of Zeus, who had fed on violets after she had been transformed into a heifer by Jupiter. Other Greek legends say that the violet sprang from the blood of Ajax who was famous in the Trojan wars.
When Napoleon had been banished to Elba he told his friends that he would return with the violets. Corporal Violet, as he was then known, became a favourite toast among his followers.
 
Violet Perfume
Violet perfume is highly prized both in Europe and in the Far East for its delightful fragrance. In the South of France violets are cultivated for the extraction of their odoriferous constituents and the blossoms are collected between March and April.
 
Varieties of Violets
There are at least nine distinct varieties of Viola oderata, both single and double, and finely perfumed. Some of these varieties are:
1. Devon
2. Dark blue and very fragrant
3. Neopolitan
4. Lavender blue, large double flowers
5. The Czar
6. Large deep violet flowers, delightfully perfumed Victoria
7. Single deep blue flowers on a long stem
8. Victoria regina
9. Larger flowers of a rich violet-blue and most odoriferous
 
In the South of France - Grasse and Hyeres districts - Parma and Victoria violets are cultivated but mainly these days they use a variety called Luxonne for the perfumery trade.
 
Odour
It is doubtful if the perfume of any other flower is as popular as that of the Violet. The odour of cassie blossom bears a marked resemblance to it of course and orris and costus root when dried develop an aroma that again is similar.
The quantities of these flowers now being produced for perfumes has fallen, as Parma violets take four years to become commercially productive and after six to seven years the plants become exhausted and have to be replaced.
Plants that have odours belonging to the same class as Violet are Cassie, Orris root and mignonette.
 
Astrologically
The violet is under the domain of Venus and the sign of Aries. Blue violet is the birthday flower for March 11th. White violet is the birthday flower of March 14th. Yellow Violet is the birthday flower of April 28th
 
Violet Essence
This is used to uplift the emotions and to have a better insight into life, helping to bring focus.
 
© Colin Kingshott Silvercord Essences Tel/Fax 01769 580913
 
 
Back