When infused & applied externally in oil, violet makes an exceptional massage medium that supports lymph circulation, dissolves hardening in the tissues & gently stimulates the immune system.

Violet Infused Oil

Ingredients

• 1 cup lightly packed fresh violet leaves, stems & flowers (also effective made with the leaves alone, if harvested after the plant’s flowering stage.)
• ¾ cup Topical oil of your choice, favorites include olive oil, jojoba,sesame, almond, apricot kernel, castor & grapeseed (or any combination of these.)
• 1 8oz mason jar

Directions

Gently wash then dry plant matter & spread it out on a clean dish towel, allowing to fully dry & slightly wilt for about 6-8 hrs. It's important that there’s no moisture on the plant material because it can encourage mold to form. Roughly chop & fill a clean dry mason jar with the wilted plant material. Cover to the brim with oil. You want the oil to almost overflow (or actually overflow slightly) when you close the lid (again, placing it on a washcloth or saucer helps here.) The less air that’s in the container when it's closed, the lower the chance of oxidation that might cause spoilage.

Infused oils are often made with dry herbs to reduce the chances that moisture in the plant creates a breeding ground for bacteria or mold, however some herbal oils are just much more effective when infused fresh & in my opinion violet is amongst them.

To add another layer of safety this oil will only infuse for a week to 10 days. After that time gently strain out the plant matter without squeezing. The resulting oil should have a shelf life of 6 months to a year. It’s lovely for massage on its own or as a base for salves or scrubs. One of my favorite uses is to apply to swollen lymph nodes that feel hot or inflamed.