Botanical Name: Viola odorata Plant Family of Violaceae
 
Aromatic Description: Violet Leaf Essential Oil (botanical name Viola odorata) is renowned for its rich, green, and earthy aroma with delicate floral undertones. Its scent profile evokes the sensation of crushed leaves and damp forest soil, offering a grounding yet elegant olfactory experience. Unlike the sweet scent of violet flowers, the leaf oil is more herbaceous and verdant, making it highly valued in perfumery and emotional healing work.
 
Symbolically, Violet Leaf is associated with humility, emotional vulnerability, introspection, and subtle strength. It embodies the quiet power of resilience and the grace of hidden beauty. In spiritual aromatherapy, it is often linked with the heart chakra, supporting emotional balance, compassion, and the release of grief or suppressed feelings. The essential oil is typically derived from the leaves of the violet plant, Viola odorata, and extracted through solvent extraction rather than steam distillation due to the delicate nature of the plant material. The result is usually concrete or absolute, though some rare forms may be CO₂ extracted. The oil is dark green and thick in consistency.
 
Chemically, Violet Leaf Absolute is rich in ionones (alpha and beta-ionone), which contribute to its unique scent and calming properties. It also contains viola ketone, phytol, hexyl alcohol, and nonadienal, each contributing to its soothing and skin-beneficial profile.
 
Therapeutically, Violet Leaf oil is prized for its anti-inflammatory, diuretic, expectorant, and calming effects. It is particularly useful for treating respiratory issues such as asthma, bronchitis, and sinus congestion, often through inhalation or diffusion. On a psychological level, it helps ease nervous tension, anxiety, and insomnia, encouraging a sense of emotional safety and quietude.
 
In terms of uses, it is often added in small quantities to natural perfumes, facial serums, calming massage oils, and emotional healing blends. Due to its potent aroma, it’s usually diluted heavily in carrier oil or blended with other essential oils to soften its strength. Violet Leaf blends beautifully with oils such as Jasmine, Sandalwood, Lavender, Neroli, Rose, and Benzoin, complementing its green-floral depth and enhancing its calming or heart-opening effects. 
Recommends it for "timidity of the spirit" and describes it as helping "to encourage security, courage, confidence, centring gentleness, and upliftment. 
 
Extraction Method: Solvent Extracted, Plant Part Typically Used Leaves