Meadowsweet, sometimes called queen of the meadow , a majestic plant with the regal name, hides much more than its vaporous beauty. Both a garden ornament and a medicinal treasure, it is a true ally for our health and well-being. In this article, we explore the many facets of this fascinating plant: its assets in the garden, its history linked to aspirin, its surprising medicinal properties and its varied uses.
Whether you’re a keen gardener, a fan of natural remedies or simply curious, meadowsweet has a lot to offer. Let’s delve into the world of this plant that richly deserves its crown.
Meadowsweet
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), along with willow in particular, is a good example of a plant-based aspirin. Although it was actually from willow that salicylin was extracted to eventually create acetylsalicylic acid, known under the trade name Aspirin, both plants are rich in salicylic compounds that carry febrifuge, analgesic and anti-inflammatory virtues and have been used for this purpose since Antiquity.
In fact, the name “aspirin” is an allusion to meadowsweet. It comes from a contraction of “A” for acetyl and “spir” for spirea, as botanists at the time placed meadowsweet in the Spirea genus.
More on this later, but I’d like to announce that meadowsweet used in its totum (the whole plant, as opposed to acetylsalicylic acid) does not cause heartburn like the latter. On the contrary, it is useful in the treatment of stomach ulcers (and indeed, all ulcers).
Finally, I’d like to mention Dr. Éric Lorrain’s humorous comment that meadowsweet survived the French Revolution, but that we still have to “deadhead” it (harvest the flowering tops) to enjoy it.
Botanical Description
Its botanical name, Filipendula ulmaria, can be confusing. Filipendula comes from the Latin filum, thread, and pendulus, hanging. Yet there’s nothing pendant about its aerial parts. Rather, it refers to the tubers that hang from the roots. Ulmaria, for its part, describes the pseudo resemblance of the meadowsweet leaf to that of the elm. And frankly, you’ll need some imagination, because apart from the toothed edge and the asymmetry of the leaflets, I don’t see much resemblance.
In fact, meadowsweet closely resembles spirea in both size and bloom. Of course, it’s an herbaceous plant, so its branches aren’t woody. Both have clusters of tiny, 5-petaled white flowers, with pistil and stamen prominent in relation to the size of the flower.
In the Garden
Landscape Uses
If you’re looking for a shrubby-looking perennial to brighten up a cool, half-shaded corner, meadowsweet could well be the plant of choice. Although it’s an introduced species, it’s much visited by bees. And you can’t blame them: with its feathery, wispy flowering stems and seductive aroma, who could resist? And yet, deer aren’t usually very interested!
Once established, meadowsweet usually takes care of itself. It will even outcompete weeds and keep the flowerbed clean. At home, all I do is harvest it. It’s a pleasant harvest because of its fragrance, but a necessary one because it’s a plant that’s much appreciated as an infusion in many situations, which means that at flowering time, my reserves are always empty.
Generally, very adaptable and hardy plants are deemed invasive, but this one is quite slow-growing, so yes, after a decade or so you’ll have to cut back on its size, but it doesn’t require active monitoring and tends to stay where it was planted. It is considered a restricted invasive in the state of Wisconsin.
In the garden, although it’s an herbaceous plant, it really has a shrubby appearance. By June, it will reach a height of 1.20 m (4 feet) and spread over 50 to 60 cm (2 feet). Because of its height, but especially its creamy-white, feathery flowering spike, I like to use it as a background plant to brighten up my somewhat dark flower beds. It can also be used in the same way as a spirea (whose genus it once shared), to add height.
Meadowsweet prefers semi-shade, but will tolerate more shade (which will reduce flowering) and full sun. Ideally, it thrives in drained but moist soil. That said, it loves water and will tolerate soggy or poorly drained soil. Also, once established, it shows good drought tolerance, but will still appreciate the freshness of mulch. Hardy up to zone 3, it is equally happy in warmer regions such as here in Montreal.
I only know and have gardened the original Filipendula ulmaria species, but there are many ornamental cultivars, including F. ulmaria ‘Aurea’, F. ulmaria ‘Flore-Pleno’ and F. ulmaria ‘Variegata’. However, I have no information about the properties and uses of these species and cultivars. Please let me know in the comments if you have any additional sources or personal experience with these, it would be super interesting.
Multiplication
If you wish to sow, you can directly in the ground at a depth of 2 mm (1/16″) in autumn and leave Mother Nature to stratify the plants. Otherwise, the cold treatment should last between 8 and 12 weeks. After that, you can expect 4 to 12 weeks for germination, which is why it can be more difficult to succeed.
On the other hand, if you have an acquaintance with well-established plants, then the easiest thing to do will be to divide the existing plants, even though their root system may be tough and require strength to divide.
Harvest
The flowering top (i.e. the inflorescence) is harvested when the plant is in bloom. Normally, harvesting takes place in late June or early July. To find out when the best time is, observe the bees: when they visit your plant lovingly, that’s the ideal time! Meadowsweet often produces a 2nd bloom in late summer, which can also be harvested.
A few stem leaves can be added to the harvest of flowering tops, although these are less valued medicinally.
Transformation
This is one of the easiest plants to dry. I remove the prominent stems, which take longer to dry, but keep the bunches.
Drying, at room temperature or in a dryer (maximum temperature 45°C or 113?), will take between 1 and 2 days, depending on air humidity. Unlike many plants, it will not become brittle as it dries, and will retain a certain suppleness.
You can also make a tincture with mild alcohol (40%) or a vinegar (using vinegar with at least 8% acidity) by cutting the plant finely and leaving it to macerate for 3 weeks.
On the Plate
Exclusively used sparingly as a condiment (where a fruity, vanilla fragrance would be interesting). For example, to flavor fruit salad or dairy mixes for ice cream. Meadowsweet also flavors wine and beer. It’s important to remember that many people allergic to aspirin may not be able to tolerate these dishes and beverages. Fortunately, since aspirin is well known, it is rare for an allergic person to be unaware of his or her allergy.
Medicinal Uses
The plant is used to combat fever, aches and pains and flu headaches, and as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic (painkiller).
More surprisingly, meadowsweet is happily used in many cases of digestive discomfort. From ulcers to hyperacidity, meadowsweet balances and heals mucous membranes. So much so that David Hoffmann, author of Medical Herbalism[1], describes it as one of the best digestive remedies. This is surprising, considering that aspirin has a rather bad reputation in this area, but let’s not forget that aspirin is a salicylic acid, the acid of which is missing from the plant. Note also the presence of tannins (notably ellagitanins), which tighten mucous membranes, influence the microbiota and have an anti-inflammatory effect.
It is mainly consumed as an herbal tea:
2 teaspoons dried flowering tops per cup. Steep for 10-15 minutes, preferably with honey (or blackcurrant juice, rosemary or mint) to reduce bitterness. Take 1 cup every hour, up to 4 times a day.
As for tinctures and vinegars, here are some recommended dosages:
Depending on your constitution, the ideal dose for fever and pain is between 5 and 30 drops, and you can take more every hour, up to around 90 drops a day. As always, start with a smaller dose and increase until you achieve the desired results.
Externally: a strong infusion (6 teaspoons per cup of water) can be used in analgesic creams. Meadowsweet is not really interesting in oily maceration (its components being highly polar), but in a cream, the aqueous phase is mixed with an oily phase (which helps absorption). For this use, meadowsweet offers an excellent synergy with wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens).
The Medicinal Properties of Meadowsweet
When we think of plant aspirin, we naturally think of its febrifuge (fever-reducing), analgesic and anticoagulant properties. But because meadowsweet, with all its active compounds, is much more than that, we add anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and anti-acid qualities as the plant’s main properties.
| Properties | Issues | Meadowsweet | Aspirin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Febrifuge | Fever | 3[1], [2], [3] | 4 |
| Anti-inflammatory | Inflammation, aches and pains | 3[1], [2], [4] | 2 |
| Analgesic | Pain, flu headaches | 3[2], [4] | 4 |
| Antiulcer and antacid | Ulcers, hyperacidity | 2[1], [2] | 4 |
| Anticoagulant* | Risks of bleeding during surgery | 2[2], [4] | 4 |
Possible Interactions
It may interact with other anticoagulants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and heparin.
Conclusion
As we’ve seen, meadowsweet is much more than just an ornamental plant. It is the perfect embodiment of the synergy between beauty and benefits, between garden and natural pharmacy. From its elegant white flowers to its anti-inflammatory properties and melliferous qualities, this plant reminds us of the often unsuspected richness of the plant world around us. Let yourself be seduced by this queen of plants.
Warning
In the case of serious disorders or chronic illnesses, consult a doctor.
Self-diagnosis and self-medication are dangerous.
Unless explicitly indicated, the uses described are for plants and do not apply to essential oils.
Before consuming a plant: be sure to identify it properly and always read the “Precautions” leaflet.
Dosages are given for information only, and are suitable for adults unless otherwise specified. We cannot be held responsible for any consequences or misinterpretation, as no article can replace medical advice.
Sources
[1] Hoffmann, D. FNIMH, AHG (2003). Medical Herbalism, The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester : Healing art Press. 666 p.
[2] Lorrain, E. (2019). Grand Manuel de phytothérapie. Malakoff: Dunod. 1290 p.
[3] Valnet, J. (2019). La phytothérapie, se soigner par les plantes. Paris: Vigot
[4] Fleurentin, J. (2018). Du bon usage des plantes qui soignent. 2. Rennes : Éditions Ouest-France. 372 p.
[5] Class A: “Herbs for which no clinically relevant interaction are expected” Class 1 “Herbs that can safely be consumed when used appropriately.”
[6] Upton, R., Bear, S., Winston, D., Gagnon, D., Romm, A.j., Low Dog, T., Hardy, M., Craker, L. (2013). Botanical Safety Handbook. 2. London: CRC Press. 1035 p.
0 comments on “Meadowsweet: A Queen of the Meadow That Does Humans Good”