Meadowsweet
All About Meadowsweet
Meadowsweet has been used as a folk remedy to help reduce pain and inflammation. Its salicylic acid constituent has been synthesized to make aspirin.
Fun Fact
Meadowsweet was Queen Elizabeth I's favorite smelling herb.
Meadowsweet Blog Articles
Meadowsweet Herb
Latin Name: Filipendula ulmaria
Family: Rosaceae
Other Names
- Meadow wort, bridewort, dolloff, lady of the meadow, meadow queen,
- Other Latin names: Spireae herba, Spireaeae flos
- Similar Species: F. occidentalis, F. rubra, F. vulgaris
- Not to be confused with dropwart (Oenanthe crocata) of the Umbeliferae family
Plant Description
Meadowsweet is a tall flowering perennial growing up to six feet with delicate light yellow clustered flowers with a very strong aroma. There are a few large, three lobed, serrated leaves on the stem.
Herb Description
Leaves and flower tops can be prepared fresh or dried.
Adult dosage:
- 1 tsp of dried or 2 tsp of fresh herb in a tea or infusion (5 ounces of water) for ten minutes (Petersen, 2016).
- As a tincture of 1:5 in 45% alcohol: 3 mL up to 3 times a day (Natural Medicine, 2015).
- For topically use, infuse into an oil as an analgesic.
Key Constituents
Meadowsweet contains phenol glycosides including: monotropitin and spiraein, salicylic acid, ascorbic acid, chalcones, coumarins, flavonoids, tannins, and essential oils.
