Spring has arrived, and it's one of my favorite seasons. 

My name is Michelle, and I am the creator of Me and a Tree, an artisan herbal skincare brand that infuses organic herbs, flowers, clays, and essential oils to create natural skincare for sensitive and normal skin care needs. I help support those who are seeking and committed to exploring the benefits of a natural and healthy lifestyle without harming animals, humans, or the planet. Join me today as I share a fun natural way to stay hydrated and engaged this spring!

 

Last week I created a recipe for my husband and I want to show the beautiful colors that natural plants and flowers can make without resorting to harmful unnatural  colorants or artificial dyes. This recipe elixir drink is a beautiful violet-purple herbal infused hydrating drink that's not only beneficial for your skin but also very easy to make and perfect for creative nature lovers or anyone who enjoys a little novelty in life. I'll walk you through how to make my herb-infused floral water and turn it into a refreshing drink called "Violetta Limone Viola Fresco" or "Fresh Violet Lemonade." This artisanal drink creation is not only beautiful but also healthy, as it's made by infusing the purple flower petals of the common blue violets into hot (or cold) water.

 

Violets are popular flowers due of their edibility & ability to emit a beautiful deep bluish-purple hue. I have heard that some violets can be yellow, but where I live in Tennessee, we have the common or sweet purple violet that is either light blue or dark purple.

 

After a long winter, the first flowers I recognize are those tiny little purple violet flowers that make their brief debut. I have to get outside and forage them pretty quickly in the season to gather them before they are all gone. They come and go so quickly in my area, and the dead nettle and early dandelions always notify me that it's time to collect violets!

 

Introduction to Herbal Infusions

 

Infusions are typically made by steeping flowers or herbs in a liquid. In this case, we will be using filtered water. Infusions can be warm or cold. When making hot herbal infusions, it's best to use very warm water instead of scalding hot water due to the delicate nature of the flowers. However, some people prefer cold water for especially delicate flowers. It's important to note that using cold water will take much longer for the water to extract the colorful compounds. Today I will be sharing the recipe for a medium hot water infusion.

 

Crafting a Wholesome Elixir

 

When I create something, I like to add a little unexpected element every time. In other words, once you learn the basics of creating your herb-infused violet water, you can personalize this recipe to your taste. I add pineapple sometimes. An additional benefit of making this drink is the fresh access to essential  nutrients it provides. One of the other joys of making this drink is its gorgeous violet purple color as well.The vivid violet-purple is quite impressive, provided you gather enough flowers to create a strong infusion.

 

1. Gathering Fresh Ingredients 

Another valuable reason to make this unique drink is that it provides you with fresh access to the outdoors and to fresh nutrients. This drink is not something you can buy in a store. It is unique, hydrating and healthy. It's appetizing violet pinkish purple color and tangy sweet taste (after squeezing the lemons) is a truly divine spring treat!

 

Step-by-Step Recipe for Violet Infused Floral Water Lemonade 
It is crucial to be careful when selecting violets for herbal floral infusion. It is important to research and accurately identify the flower and the type of violet that grows in one's area. Seeking advice from an expert in the field or an herbalist is always highly recommended before picking and consuming any flower or herb. The common sweet purple violets are abundant in most parts of the USA and worldwide. Avoid African Violets as they are inedible (not edible).

 

THE RECIPE

VIOLET TEA LEMONADE (served hot or cold).

First, you'll want to make sure you gather (minimally) about 1-2 cups of the flower head tops at the beginning of spring. 

Helpful Tips & Tools.

1. Container to place violets in (bag, bowl, or you can use a small cloth or even your pocket if it's loose enough).
2. Mason Jar. 1 pint-sized jar is perfect for 2 cups of violet lemonade (a quart is even better however, it will require 4 + cups of the flower heads).  
3. 2 Lemons (or as many as you desire). The more lemons you add the more violet pink it will turn or you may choose to add no lemon and leave the color as is (a bluish purple). 
4. Strainer (colander, tea strainer, cheesecloth).  
5. Small Pot for boiling water. 
6. Serve in pretty glass cups or tall pretty glass (so you'll be sure to catch the color).
   
7. Sweetener of choice (light colored honey or stevia is my jam). 

 

Instructions: To make your violet beverage, follow these steps carefully.

1. First, add about 2.5 cups of filtered water to a pot and bring it to a boil. Once the water starts boiling, turn off the stove and remove the pot from the burner. Allow the water to cool down for about 30 seconds. 

 

2. Next, place your purple violets tops in your mason jar. To make violet-infused water, rinse and drain the violets in cool water beforehand. Once violets are in your mason jar pour hot water into the same jar with the violets and let it sit for an hour. Add sweetener while the liquid is warm or before it cools. Light honey is recommended, as adding dark honey may change the final color a little bit. 

 

3. After the jar has cooled down a bit. When working with hot water in a jar, it's important to prioritize safety. Never shake the jar when it's too hot, as the heat causes the water to expand and the lid could pop off, leading to water spurting out and potentially causing burns. To avoid any accidents, it's always best to wait until the jar cools down a bit before shaking it. If you do shake it while it's still hot, be extremely careful and use a towel to protect your hands from burns. Remember, safety should always be the top priority when handling hot water.

 

4. Once the jar of violet lemonade is cooled- you may open the lid and add other ingredients, such as a piece of pineapple, honey, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Then, place the jar in the fridge until it is chilled. If you want to make the traditional violet lemonade drink, you can add more fresh-squeezed lemon juice later. The more lemon juice you add, the more pink the drink will become as in the picture I provided of me and my freshly made violet lemonade! The violet and lemon flavors complement each other perfectly, and it makes for a wonderful treat that's also visually appealing and beautiful. I even add them to my foods!

 

The art of presentation is important, especially when it comes to aesthetic appeal. Using glass cups that you can see through adds to the beauty of the drink. Adding lemon juice and a slice of lemon to the drink will make it look especially beautiful and turn a beautiful violet pink. The purple color in violet lemonade is due to the anthocyanins, which are natural pigments found in many flowers, fruits, and vegetables. Anthocyanins change color depending on the pH level of the solution they are in. In acidic conditions, such as those provided by citric acid in lemonade, anthocyanins appear red/pink, purple, or blue. The addition of more lemon will result in a beverage that leans towards a pinkish-purple hue and less of a blue tone. However, if you prefer the deep purple-blue color, you can simply omit the lemon (or add less) and enjoy the violet tea or water in its pure form

 

Enhancing Visual Experience with Glassware and Garnishes. Placing your final creation into a large mason jar is the easiest way to store it and present it for everyday use but if you want to prepare a nice table with glassware, you can fill it with a beautiful decanter that shows off the colors and place it in the center of your table.  You may place any kind of garnish you wish for each guest.  I will include a few day-to-day pics using my favorite vintage tea/punch bowl cups. 

 

2. Health Benefits of Violet Floral Water.

 

Floral water made with edible violets can be made with either the leaves and flowers or simply the flower tops alone. Violets contain vitamins A, C, and K along with Rutin. Violets have been used medicinally for centuries and thousands of years. Violets are recognized for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, traditionally used to support respiratory health. The leaves will have more nutrients than the flowers alone but the flowers will still have nutrients as well. 

 

Scientific literature suggests that violets help the body detoxify and strengthen the immune system. It has been shown in herbal communities to be a gentle blood cleanser for both the elderly and children. However, it's advisable to avoid consuming the roots and seeds of violets as they can cause stomach upset and vomiting in some. The leaves are mucilaginous, which is helpful for coughs and sore throats. They are beneficial for minor pain with scars and burns, are a mild laxative, help lower cholesterol, and are blood thinning. The leaves are highest in Rutin compared to the flowers (although both leaves and flowers have it) and violets are listed as helping with varicose veins as well.

IS YOUR BRAIN STARVING?

 This section is a segway into some additional considerations about health and nutrients our bodies need on a daily basis. 

Nutritional Value Needed for Health & Wellness

Micronutrients. Micronutrients are vitamins (A, B, C. D. E & K) along with minerals such as magnesium, zinc, calcium, etc. 

The daily value of micronutrients needed for the brain and body to run efficiently is severely lacking in a majority of Americans who mostly focus on macronutrients (carbs, fat, protein) according to recent studies. This is another great reason to make an herbal floral infusion and take advantage of those fresh micronutrients in a fun and in an easy-to-consume sort of way. Often our food lacks a lot of these things which is why it's also enjoyable and healing to make fresh drinks from the backyard (if you have violets).

 

STAYING HYDRATED 

Additionally, staying hydrated is crucial for maintaining wellness. It is recommended to drink water in proportion to one's own body weight, as dehydration can occur without noticeable symptoms. For example, if an individual weighs 100 pounds, they should consume 50 ounces of water daily to meet their hydration needs. Incorporating floral waters, such as the purple-violet floral water, can help with hydration and make drinking water more enjoyable. This practice can help to reduce the occurrence of headaches and other dehydration-related symptoms.

 

Incorporating nutritional foods and staying hydrated are essential components of a healthy lifestyle. These practices will ensure that the body receives the necessary micronutrients it requires to function correctly and protect you and prevent illness.

 

Over time, I've come to realize that mental health is just as important as physical health, and I'm constantly striving to integrate better practices that promote a healthier body, mind, and spirit into my life on a daily basis. Getting outdoors and slowing down to enjoy the colors, scents, and beauty is a lovely practice for centering your mind, body, and spirit. Wellness is a daily practice. It's the little things that we do daily that add up up in the long run. Remembering to protect your skin with a natural sun screen while outdoors picking violets is also a wise practice. Don't forget your hands too!

 

At Me and a Tree, we're passionate about providing safe and healthy alternatives to chemically laden skincare using food-grade natural and organic ingredients. We believe in using the best top-tier herbs and flowers, along with clays, oils, and other natural earth and skin-friendly ingredients to promote sustainability and inspire others to do the same. 

 

Encouraging conscious consumption is a top priority for us. We believe that what you put on your body is just as important as what you put in your body. As someone who uses every single product we create daily, we are always interested in the latest research and science regarding sustainability, especially when it comes to foraging natural wild-crafted ingredients like our violet flowers, herbs, and more.

 

3. Be Sustainable

We always make sure to leave other flowers for the forest critters, such as bees, birds, butterflies, squirrels, and other animals who rely on these flowers for their survival. We take pride in providing food-grade ingredients in our skincare offerings, and we take the natural creation of each one very serious. We always choose the most safe, most natural, and most effective ways of preserving all of our products, which are 100% organically derived. This means that you don't need to worry about estrogen mimickers on our preservatives like most companies, or  have to deal with any harmful chemicals and ingredients in your face and body care. We aim to provide the very best natural and safe ingredients we can find. 

 

Sharing the Joy of Flora Water with Loved Ones is Easy and Fun. 

Now that you know about all the wonderful health benefits of creating your very own homemade floral water, we hope that you will share it with your friends and family. It will bring them a little cup of joy and happiness - after all, who wouldn't appreciate that? Click the share button at the top of this blog and help pread sunshine and joy!

 

When life gets busy, it's always nice to take some time to share the little things. Taking a moment to share and appreciate the beauty of nature can be a refreshing break from our busy lives. Sharing something positive can promote calm and serenity as well as natural serotonin and leave others feeling calm and relaxed. So, take a deep breath and enjoy the vibrant colors and sweet fragrances of the natural world around you. Remember, we can all benefit by a reminder to meditate on the beauty of a simple wellness recipe or suggestion. 

 

Now that you know how to make and share this recipe. are you ready to experience the magic of creating your own violet-infused lemonade or floral tea? It's a fun activity that you can share with anyone! Send a smile. The memories you'll make while concocting these delightful drinks together or alone will be unforgettable. So, why not give it a try today?

 

Invitation to Explore More at Me and a Tree

If you found this blog beneficial, uplifting, or helpful, please share it with others! Many people benefit from trying ME AND A TREE'S all natural herbal face and body care products for the whole family. We hope you do too! Thanks for joining me today. Enjoy the spring weather and be encouraged to pick some beautiful common purple violet flowers before they all disappear! Be sure to check out our website for more. Au revoir!