Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) - Herbal Monograph
At a Glance
| Latin name | Filipendula ulmaria (formerly Spiraea ulmaria) |
| Family | Rosaceae (rose family) |
| Parts used | Flowers and leaves (aerial parts) |
| Taste & scent | Honeyed almond flowers; leaves slightly astringent and wintergreen-like |
| Traditionally used as | A soothing digestive herb and a gentle remedy for aches and fevers |
| In the garden | Native perennial for moist soil, pond edges and damp meadows |
| Harvest | Flower heads just as they open, in midsummer (June–August) |
A plant at the root of a medical milestone: the name aspirin is taken from Spiraea, meadowsweet’s old name.
Grow your own meadowsweet
A native perennial for damp soil and pond edges, with honey-scented summer flowers the bees adore.
Shop MeadowsweetPhysic Garden Seed KitCommon Name(s):
- Meadowsweet
- Queen of the Meadow
- Bridewort
- Spirea
Botanical Family:
- Rosaceae
Botanical Description:
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) is a perennial herb that thrives in moist, temperate environments, such as meadows, damp woodlands, and along stream banks. The plant can grow up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall and features large, toothed, lance-shaped leaves that are aromatic when crushed. In summer, it produces large, fluffy clusters of small, creamy white to pale pink flowers, which emit a sweet, almond-like fragrance.
Active Constituents:
- Salicylic Acid & Salicylates: Precursors to aspirin; contribute to analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Flavonoids: Quercetin, kaempferol, and rutin — antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Tannins: Astringent properties for mild gastrointestinal issues.
- Essential Oils: Methyl salicylate — anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions.
- Phenolic Acids: Including gallic acid for antioxidant support.
Medicinal Part:
- Aerial Parts (flowers, leaves, stems) and Roots
Therapeutic Uses:
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Anti-inflammatory & Analgesic: Aspirin-like effects for mild to moderate pain, headaches, musculoskeletal pain, joint inflammation, rheumatism, and gout.
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Digestive Health: Tannins soothe mild digestive issues including diarrhoea, gastritis, acid reflux, indigestion, and heartburn.
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Fever & Cold Relief: Diaphoretic — promotes sweating to reduce fevers and support detoxification during colds and flu.
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Skin Conditions: Used topically for minor wounds, burns, and eczema due to astringent and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Urinary Health: Mild diuretic — promotes urine flow and supports kidney function.
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Cognitive Support: Traditional use suggests it may reduce mental fatigue and improve concentration.
Traditional and Historical Uses:
Traditionally used to treat fevers, colds, and rheumatic pain. A key component of European herbal remedies for digestive complaints, often combined with peppermint or chamomile. Also used as a mild sedative and painkiller for headaches and menstrual cramps.
Folklore & Legend
Meadowsweet’s name has nothing to do with meadows. It comes from mead, the honey wine its frothy flowers were used to flavour, and the plant was long known as meadwort. Remains of meadowsweet have been found with Bronze Age burials in Britain, possibly from mead or flowers laid with the dead.
It is often counted among the three herbs held most sacred by the Druids, alongside water mint and vervain. In the Welsh Mabinogion, the magicians Math and Gwydion conjure Blodeuwedd, a woman made of flowers, from the blossoms of oak, broom and meadowsweet.
In Tudor England it was a favourite strewing herb. The herbalist John Gerard wrote that its scent made the heart merry, and Queen Elizabeth I is said to have preferred it above all others for her chambers. Brides carried it in their posies and it was scattered in churches for weddings, giving it the country name bridewort.
In 1838 chemists first isolated salicylic acid from meadowsweet flower buds. Decades later, when Bayer named its new pain reliever, it took spir from Spiraea: a-spir-in.
Preparation and Dosage:
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Infusion (Tea): Steep 1–2 teaspoons of dried meadowsweet flowers in 1 cup of boiling water for 10–15 minutes. Drink 2–3 times daily.
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Tincture: 1–2 ml of a 1:5 tincture, 2–3 times daily.
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Capsules: 500 mg of meadowsweet extract, 1–2 times daily.
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Topical Application: Apply tincture or diluted tea topically, or use a poultice of leaves and flowers for wounds or inflammation..
In Our Garden: Growing Notes
- Position: Sun or light shade in soil that never dries out. It is ideal for a pond margin, a bog garden or a damp corner where little else thrives.
- Size: It can reach 1–1.5 m in flower, so give it room at the back of a border.
- Harvest: Cut the flower heads on a dry day as the first buds open, when the scent is sweetest. Dry them on paper in a warm, airy, shaded place.
- For wildlife: The flowers are a magnet for hoverflies, bees and other pollinators.
Herbal Recipes to Try
If you’ve only admired meadowsweet in the garden, you may be missing one of its most enchanting traditional uses. Discover how its naturally sweet, almond-like aroma combines with warming spices in this Meadowsweet Spiced Wine recipe—a seasonal creation you’ll want to try while the flowers are at their fragrant best.
Meadowsweet Cordial
A traditional summer cordial that captures the honey-almond scent of the flowers. Dilute it with still or sparkling water.
You will need
- About 20 fresh meadowsweet flower heads, shaken to remove insects
- 1 litre water
- 600 g granulated sugar
- 2 unwaxed lemons, zest and juice
- 1 teaspoon citric acid (optional, to help it keep)
Method
- Bring the water and sugar to the boil, stirring until dissolved, then remove from the heat.
- Add the flower heads, lemon zest and juice, and the citric acid. Cover and leave to infuse overnight.
- Strain through muslin into sterilised bottles. Keep in the fridge and use within 3–4 weeks.
Meadowsweet-Infused Cream for Summer Fruit
An old country trick: the flowers give cream a delicate almond flavour, which is lovely with strawberries, poached gooseberries or a simple panna cotta.
You will need
- 300 ml double cream
- 3–4 fresh meadowsweet flower heads
- 1 tablespoon caster sugar
Method
- Warm the cream and sugar gently until steaming, without letting it boil.
- Remove from the heat, add the flowers, cover and leave to infuse for 30 minutes.
- Strain, chill thoroughly, then whip lightly or use as a pouring cream.
Meadowsweet naturally contains salicylates, so avoid these recipes if you are sensitive to aspirin or salicylates, take blood-thinning medication, are pregnant, or are preparing food for children under 16. The recipes are for enjoyment and traditional interest, not to treat any condition.
Contraindications and Cautions:
- Allergy: May react in individuals allergic to Rosaceae family plants (strawberries, apples, roses).
- Salicylate Sensitivity: Avoid if sensitive to aspirin or salicylates.
- Pregnancy & Lactation: Caution advised — insufficient safety data.
- Medication Interactions: Avoid with blood thinners (e.g., warfarin) due to mild anticoagulant effects.
- Children: Not recommended for children under 16, in line with UK advice on aspirin and other salicylates.
References:
- Tyler, V. E. (2000). The Honest Herbal. Haworth Press.
- Duke, J. A. (2002). Handbook of Medicinal Herbs (2nd ed.). CRC Press.
- Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism. Healing Arts Press.
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