Last Updated on September 2, 2025 by Nico
Making violet tincture is a reliable way to preserve the medicinal benefits found in violet leaves and flowers. This recipe uses only two ingredients and is incredibly simple to make. This is a staple herbal medicine to have on hand to help with inflammation and to get a boost of vitamins.
Sweet violets (scientifically known as viola odorata) are wonderful little flowers with heart-shaped leaves. An edible species of violet, they can be found growing wild in places around the world including across North America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa. They grow their best in moist, shaded areas such as woodlands, meadows, and along stream banks.
Violets attract pollinators like bees and butterflies and grow fibrous roots which help to stablise soil and reduce erosion. The flowers and leaves are edible and contain powerful medicinal properties. In particular, sweet violets are good sources of compounds that can reduce inflammation in the body.
Other good DIY tinctures for inflammation are rosemary tincture and chaga tincture.
Medicinal uses of violet tincture
Anti-inflammatory properties – Violets contain compounds like rutin and salicylic acid, which have anti-inflammatory properties. Other medicinal plants and foods that are good sources of rutin are elderberries, cherries, rosehips, and apples.
High in vitamins – Violets are a good source of vitamins A and C, both of which are antioxidants that can boost the immune system and protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Promote skin health – Violets are sometimes used in skincare products for their soothing and moisturising properties. They may help calm irritated skin and alleviate conditions like eczema and acne when consumed internally or topically.
Promote respiratory health – Violet tea or syrup has traditionally been used to relieve coughs and respiratory congestion due to its expectorant properties. Consuming violet tincture can also help to loosen phlegm and make coughs more productive.
Lymphatic support – Violets have been said to offer support to the lymphatic system. They may help to move lymph fluid through the body more efficiently which helps the body detoxify more effectively.
Support digestion – Violet leaf is believed to have mild laxative properties and may help soothe bloating.
How to make sweet violet tincture
You can use either fresh or dried violets to make this tincture. I use dried flowers and leaves in the winter months and try to find fresh plants in the summer months.
If you are foraging wild violets for this tincture, I’d recommend harvesting the flowers and leaves in the morning before direct sunlight reaches the plant. This is because, like many medicinal herbs, when the flowers get direct sunlight, the amount of essential oil in the plant decreases. If you harvest the flowers before it gets too hot, your tincture will have a more potent concentration of the violet’s volatile oils and medicinal benefits.
It’s also important to forage away from public walkways or highways to ensure your flowers and leaves have not been sprayed with herbicides or pesticides. Tincturing sprayed herbs will result in a tincture contaminated with these toxins so forage flowers in an unsprayed area.
Tools
Clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid (like a mason jar)
Small amber glass dropper bottles for storing the tincture – I use these ones.
A fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, coffee filter
A small funnel
A knife – to chop up the flowers and leaves
Supplies
Fresh or dried violet flowers and leaves – Here’s a non-organic source for dried flowers.
80-proof vodka (or 40% alcohol) – If you are using fresh plant material, you can consider using a high-proof alcohol but it’s not necessary. You can swap out alcohol for raw apple cider vinegar or food-grade glycerin. I use this raw, bulk apple cider vinegar.
For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.
Instructions
Fully sanitise your glass jar, lid, and amber glass dropper bottle.
If you’re using fresh violets, rinse the flowers and leaves to remove visible dirt. Pat them dry with a tea towel or paper towel. You don’t want to have a lot of water in your tincture, so if you can’t get them dry with a towel, let them air dry before using them in the tincture.
Use your knife to chop up the flowers and leaves. This is to maximise the surface volume of the plant that will be exposed to the alcohol.
If you’re using fresh violets, fill a glass jar ¾ of the way full. If you’re using dried flowers, fill the glass jar ½ of the way full to leave room for the flowers to absorb the alcohol.
Pour alcohol over the leaves and flowers until everything is completely submerged.
Add a lid to your container and shake the jar to ensure everything is covered in alcohol. Add a date and label to your jar so that you remember when you made the tincture and what it is.
Set the jar in a dark, cool place away from direct sunlight for 6-8 weeks. Letting the tincture sit longer will result in a more concentrated final product – I let some of my tinctures sit for 6 months!
Aim to shake the jar 3-4 times per week to ensure everything remains submerged in the alcohol.
After 6-8 weeks, use cheesecloth, a fine mesh strainer, or a coffee filter to strain off the tincture. If you used fresh leaves and flowers, I’d recommend using a coffee filter to ensure that any residual dirt is removed from the final tincture.
Use a funnel to add the tincture into your glass dropper bottles. Date and label the tincture so you know what it is.
That’s it!
How much violet tincture to take?
I like to take 1 dropper full per day 2-3 times per day when I feel I need an extra boost or during cold or flu season. You can start by taking a small amount and work your way up.
How long does violet tincture last?
Like many homemade alcohol-based herbal tinctures, this tincture has a long shelf life if stored away from direct sunlight. I like to use the tincture within 1-2 years.
How to use violet tincture
Directly – The best way to consume violet tincture is to add the dosage directly under your tongue. Hold it there for 20 seconds and then swallow.
Diluted in water or juice – If you do not like the flavour, you could add the dosage to a cup of water or juice.
With honey – For colds and flus, you could add the dosage to a tablespoon of honey to assist with calming any throat irritation or a dry cough.
Into smoothies – You can add violet tincture to your favorite smoothie for added nutrition.
Mixed with food – You can also mix violet tincture into food, such as salad dressings, sauces, or soups. This method can be useful if you prefer not to consume the tincture directly.
Topically – While violet tincture is primarily intended for internal use, you can also dilute the tincture with a carrier oil (such as fractionated coconut oil) and apply it to irritated skin.
I’m not a medical professional and do not intend to offer medical advice in any content I create. I offer information for educational purposes and, as always, get the advice of your health care provider before trying a new herbal remedy and do your own research. There are always possible unintended consequences of trying a new herbal remedy such as an allergic reaction or unexpected side effects like interactions with other medication.
What to read next
How To Make Calendula Tincture
How To Make Chaga Tincture (3 Simple Medicinal Recipes)
Simple DIY Rosemary Tincture Recipe
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How To Make Violet Tincture Using Viola Leaf and Flowers
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Fully sanitise your glass jar, lid, and amber glass dropper bottle.
- If you’re using fresh violets, rinse the flowers and leaves to remove visible dirt. Pat them dry with a tea towel or paper towel. You don’t want to have a lot of water in your tincture, so if you can’t get them dry with a towel, let them air dry before using them in the tincture.
- Use your knife to chop up the flowers and leaves. This is to maximise the surface volume of the plant that will be exposed to the alcohol.
- If you’re using fresh violets, fill a glass jar ¾ of the way full. If you’re using dried flowers, fill the glass jar ½ of the way full to leave room for the flowers to absorb the alcohol.
- Pour alcohol over the leaves and flowers until everything is completely submerged.
- Add a lid to your container and shake the jar to ensure everything is covered in alcohol. Add a date and label to your jar so that you remember when you made the tincture and what it is.
- Set the jar in a dark, cool place away from direct sunlight for 6-8 weeks. Letting the tincture sit longer will result in a more concentrated final product – I let some of my tinctures sit for 6 months!
- Aim to shake the jar 3-4 times per week to ensure everything remains submerged in the alcohol.
- After 6-8 weeks, use cheesecloth, a fine mesh strainer, or a coffee filter to strain off the tincture. If you used fresh leaves and flowers, I’d recommend using a coffee filter to ensure that any residual dirt is removed from the final tincture.
- Use a funnel to add the tincture into your glass dropper bottles. Date and label the tincture so you know what it is.
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