Meadowsweet as an Herb

(Filipendula ulmaria)

The fragrant Meadowsweet is one of the best known wild flowers. Meadowsweet, water-mint, and vervain were three herbs held most sacred by the Druids.

One can consider Meadowsweet to be an herbal aspirin.

Meadowsweet is an herb that has been used for centuries and has been granted "approved" status by the German Commission E.

Medicinal Uses for Meadowsweet

Meadowsweet is used to treat headaches, fever, arthritis, rheumatism, menstrual cramps, and flu, as well as diarrhea in children. Use it in place of aspirin, or white willow.

Meadowsweet is also used to rebuild the digestive system during recovery from drug and alcohol abuse.

An infusion of 1 ounce of the dried herb to a pint of water is the usual mode of administration, taken in wineglassful doses. Sweetened with honey, this beverage is a very pleasant diet-drink.

Culinary

Meadowsweet is one of the fifty ingredients in a drink called 'Save,' mentioned in Chaucer's Knight's Tale, in the fourteenth century being called Medwort, or Meadwort, i.e. the mead or honey-wine herb. The flowers were often put into wine and beer. It is still incorporated in many herb beers.

Cautions

Few toxic events have been reported. Do not use in patients with salicylate or sulfite sensitivity, and use caution in asthmatics.

Toxicology: The German Commission E Monographs lists no known side effects, contraindications (except those with salicylate sensitivity), or drug interactions with use of meadowsweet. The FDA has classified the plant as an "herb of undefined safety."

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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Some plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals. Some plants used for illness in the past have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.