Parts Used---Leaves and flowers.

Description---The Dog Violet differs principally from the Sweet Violet in its long straggling stems and paler blue flowers. It possesses the same properties, being powerfully cathartic and emetic. At one time a medicine made from it had some reputation in curing skin diseases. It may be found on dry hedge-banks and in the woods, flowering from April to August, a longer flowering period than the Sweet Violet. It is a very variable plant in size of leaf and blossom, form of leaf and other parts, but there seem to be no permanent and reliable differences to justify the division into distinct subspecies. The root-stock of the Dog Violet is short and from it rises a tuft of leaves. The flowering stems are at first short, but as time goes on they elongate considerably until sometimes they may be found nearly a foot long. The leaves are heart-shaped and with serrated edges, but vary much in their proportions. They are ordinarily, like the stems, quite smooth, while in the Sweet Violet we often get them more or less covered with soft hairs. The flowers are scentless, generally larger than those of the Sweet Violet, not only paler in colour, but like most purple flowers, occasionally varying to white.  

The popular name of this plant is a reproach for its want of perfume.  

I have allowed lots of these to grow in my garden because I find them pleasing to the eye if not the nose.  I also have several clumps of the white flowered ones which have been much coveted by passerbys. I've dug clumps for people who have spotted them and asked.  I now have one lady waiting for my shrub rose pink ballerina to flower so she can have some cuttings.  That part of my front garden is covered by thousands of the pretty single flowers from now onwards.  

North American Indian Legend

The Bear tribe, chief among the animals, called a meeting of all the animals. They decided that something just had to be done about the destructive tribe of Mankind. The Bears suggested that they shoot back when the humans shot at them, but the bow and arrow required too great a sacrifice, for one bear would have to give up his life so that his sinew could be used for the bowstring. The bear's claws were too long for shooting a bow anyway, and would become entangled on the string.

The Deer tribe offered another method of dealing with the problem. One of its members said. 'We will bring disease into the world. Each of us will be responsible for a different illness. When humans live out of balance with Nature, when they forget to give thanks for their food, they will get sick.' And in fact the Deer did invoke rheumatism and arthritis, each animal then decided to invoke a different disease.

The Plant tribe was more sympathetic and felt that was too harsh a punishment, so the plants volunteered their help. They said that for every disease a human suffered, a plant would be present to cure it. That way, if humans used their intelligence, they would be able to cure their ailments and regain their balance.

All of Nature agreed to this strategy. One plant, in particular, spoke out. This was Tobacco, the chief of the plants. He said, 'I will be the sacred herb; I will not cure any specific disease, but I will help people return to the sacred way of life, provided I am smoked or offered with prayers and ceremony. But if I am misused and merely smoked for pleasure, I will cause cancer, the worst disease of all.'

The close friends of the Plant tribe, the Rock tribe and the Mineral tribe, agreed to help. Each mineral would have a spiritual power, a subtle vibration that could be used to regain perfect health. The Ruby, worn as an amulet, would heal the heart; the Emerald would heal the liver and so on.

The Chief of the mineral tribe, Quartz Crystal, was clear, like the light of creation itself. Quartz put his arms around his brother Tobacco and said, 'I will be the sacred mineral: I will heal the mind and help human beings see the origin of disease. I will help to bring wisdom and clarity in dreams. And I will record their spiritual history, including our meeting today, so that in the future, if humans gaze into me, they may see their origin and the way of harmony, ' And so it is today.

This legend is part of the heritage of the Cherokee tribe, yet is has been told, and retold, time and time again, by every Native American Indian tribe.

The Native American Indians were also great believers in the healing power of crystal and gemstones. Personal stones would be given to a baby boy at birth and throughout his adulthood, until death, the Red Indian would carry these crystals and gemstones around with him in a specially designed pouch attached to his waist. Native American Indians have always possessed tremendous insight and knowledge, often intuitive, about the natural laws of mother earth. They speak about crystals with a perception that comes from deep in their hearts and minds.