… Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria (formerly Spirea ulmaria) Rosaceae family. AKA ‘Queen of the meadow’

This is another of the ancient sacred druid herbs. Meadowsweet can still easily be found freely populating damp meadows as well as alongside the banks of streams, rivers and canals.

It is a perennial member of the rose family, returning each year via it’s fibrous root crown. It displays typical family characteristics through the leaf veins as well as serrated leaf edges, This alongside the typical composition of a rose flower which commonly have five petals.

The leaves are almost fern-like upon initial springtime arousal from winter slumber, being easily identified as compound, in this instance comprising a number of opposite leaflets which are generally 2-3 inches in length, rising up the usually dark brown/red leaf ‘mid-rib’ or central stem. These end in a terminal leaflet usually made of three/five co-joined leaflets. The foliage is not unlike the leaves of a raspberry of blackberry, both in colour as well as in a similar, if modified form.

Flowering spikes will appear from late spring onwards. These can reach over 1.5 metres in height although around a metre or so is more common. The flowers themselves are individually unremarkable, but collectively appear as a frothy mass of creamy -white flowering sprays, which emit a very sweet scent when in prime condition. Apparently, the virgin queen Elizabeth was so fond of this herb that she insisted on it being strewn around the floors of her palace apartments. The plant is another with a history of being added to beer for flavour.

Parts used

Stems,leaves and flowers

Harvest. spring, summer. (Some authorities say the flowers have the largest concentrations of active constituents, whereas others make no mention of any disparity between the aerial parts.)

Active constituents

Bitter, Tannins, Flavonoids, essential oil largely made up of salicylates, phenolic glycosides, quercetin.

Actions

Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic, astringent,

Indications

Atonic and acid dyspepsia, gastritis, peptic ulceration

Dose

1:1 liquid extract in 25%alcohol…. 2-6ml per day

Dried herb……………………………2-6 gram per day

As with any dose of ground dried herb, the medicinal concentration is higher than for fresh leaves. Bearing this in mind, I usually stick by a rule of thumb that says maximum of two t-spoons of each dried herb within each remedy as a guidance on volume.

Meadowsweet is famed for the large concentrations of salicylates contained within its aerial parts. As you may be aware, this class of molecules were first extracted from willow bark and meadowsweet in the 19^th century. At this time, Meadowsweet had its old latin name of Spirea ulmaria from which the pharmaceutical drug Aspirin got its name.

Unlike the chemical drug, Meadowsweet does not display anti-platelet activity

(prevention of blood clotting) and furthermore actively repairs the cells and membranes of the stomach lining whereas aspirin will irritate eventually leading to ulceration with even short term regular use. It is for this reason that Meadowsweet is prized for it acts on the Gastro Intestinal Tract (GIT) in a much more holistic fashion. The tannins and their general astringency reduces excess acid production in the stomach and the anti-inflammatory action of the salicylates reduces pain by reducing inflammation.

It cannot be over-stressed how much more beneficial this plant is compared to the range of aspirin derivative drugs now on the market, both prescription and over the counter remedies. The popularity of the range of non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAID) which include ibuprofen et al does not detract from the damage they will inflict on our bodies whilst purporting to be effective remedies. In short, the advice from this author would be to give them up unless it is absolutely necessary to embrace the final, nuclear war style solution.

It is worth crushing the leaves of this plant in early to mid spring when still relatively fresh and young to experience the smell that emanates from the plant. It can only be described as a smell similar to that of deep heat. This may well be the salicylates.

The author can testify to the remarkable healing powers of this plant, especially its abilities to heal and repair the stomach wall membranes. The over production of stomach acid is one of the ways our body will try and repair itself due to a) excessive consumption of harmful foods and beverages such as curries, alcohol and caffeine and b) stress. Many typically experience acid reflux as a ‘heart burn’ sensation and the unpleasant passage of stomach acid back up the oesophagus. This is one of the first signs of ulceration and needs immediate treatment in order to prevent the condition becoming more serious. It is necessary as with any course of herbal remedies to desist from taking the harmful food!

Meadowsweet is also utilised in the treatment of both rheumatic and arthritic pain. The combination of diuretic and anti-inflammatory actions seem can assist the joints where it is common for fluid build up to aggravate already painful bones. It must be pointed out however, that another plant containing the salicylate family of compounds, ‘Wintergreen’ is recommended more highly as an ointment. This said, the queen of the meadow is a more widespread plant in the Uk.

As with all plants containing the salicylates, Meadowsweet acts

on the physiology through its abilities to gently suppress the C.N.S as well as having a febrifuge action

(combats fevers). The salicylates increase peripheral blood flow whilst similarly increasing sweating (diaphoretic) through its direct action on the thermogenic section of the hypothalamus gland in the brain.

Traditonally the plant has been used as a diuretic and for conditions of the urinary tract.- often being recommended for overweight people and those suffering from bloating due to water retention. The plant is also recommended as a treatment for gout and headaches.