SC - tents (Was:Book on Mongol Foods, Islamic Medicine

[Elaine Koogler]

Etain1263 at aol.com wrote:

> I was wondering the same thing:  are violas edible? (referred to around here
> as "johnny jump-ups")

Another name for "johnny jump-ups" is heartsease, my medicinal herbal book gives
the following detail:
quote from Bartholomaeus Anglicus in reference to violas "The lytylnes ... in
substance be nobly rewarded in greatnesse of sauour and of vertue (c1250)

Sweet violet & heartsease (v. odorata & v.tricolour) have been used medicinally
since ancient times.  Homer relates how the Athenians used violets to "moderate
anger", while Pliny recommends wearing garlands of violets to prevents headaches
& dizzyness.  Heartsease was once used in love potions, hence the name.

Heartsease can be used for a wide range of skin disorders, from nappy rash to
varicose ulcers.  A good cough expectorant because of high saponin content
(however high doses should be avoided because saponin can lead to nausea &
vomiting).  The areial parts also tonify & strengthen the blood vessels.
Harvest while flowering.  Use as an infusion for chronic skin disorders & as a
gentle circultory & imune system stimulent.  Use as a tincture for lung &
digestive disorders, capilliary fragility & urinary problems.

In summary:
V. Odorata (sweet violet) acts as an anti-inflammatory, stimulating expectorant,
diuretic & anti-tumour remedy.
V.tricolour (heartsease) acts as an expectorant, anti-inflammatory, diueretic,
antiheumatic, laxative & stabilises capillary mebranes.

Ie:  yes it is edible ;-)

YIS, Lorix

PS:  presumably since it has an anti-inflamatory effect, it also has a 'virtual'
use as a flame pacifier, thus it could have been used to great effect in such
threads like the Trimaris saga!