Meadowsweet

thelostherbs.com/meadowsweet/

by Susan Elizabeth January 4, 2021

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria, previously called Spiraea ulmaria) is a perennial

plant and a member of the rose family. It prefers damp environments in which to grow.
While it can be easy to overlook for much of the year when it is in bloom the flowers and
their strong scent make it is impossible to miss.

Its oldest names are Medwort or Mead wort. Other names for this fragrant plant are
Queen of the Meadows, Mead sweet, Pride of the Meadow, and Bridewort. As is usually
the case, these names are derived from the uses and significance of this plant.

Table of Contents
1 The History of Meadowsweet
2 Where This Plant is Found
3 How to Identify Meadowsweet
4 How to Grow Meadowsweet
5 How to Harvest This Plant
6 What Meadowsweet is Good For and The Natural Remedies Made From It
7 What Parts of The Plant are Used in Remedies?
8 Dosage
9 How to Preserve This Plant
10 What Plants Resemble Meadowsweet?
11 Warning and Caution

The History of Meadowsweet

This fragrant plant has been used for centuries in a variety of ways. Evidence of the plant
has been found at Bronze Age burial sites in various parts of the UK.

1/10
It is thought that Druids considered
Meadowsweet to be a sacred herb
and used it in rituals and herbal
remedies for gastric and respiratory
problems, inflammatory conditions
such as arthritis, and skin ailments.

The early name, ‘meodu-swete’,

means “mead sweetener” as the
plant was used to flavor mead, beer,
and wine. There are written records
of its use dating to 1387 and 1597. It
is said England’s Queen Elizabeth I
also favored the herb thanks to its
aroma. It was thrown onto floors to
sweeten the air and repel fleas and
lice. In addition, it was placed on the
ground in front of brides to indicate
the desired sweetness of the married
state.

Modern herbalists, naturopaths, and

foragers continue to benefit from
Meadowsweet’s properties. As a
bonus, there are culinary uses too.
Today, this plant is also associated
with the identification of salicylic
acid from which aspirin is derived.

Where This Plant is Found

These plants are native to the whole of Europe and the UK and Western Asia. They have
now also been introduced and naturalized in the United States.

The name Meadowsweet is a little misleading with regards to habitat. These plants don’t
necessarily grow in meadows but rather in any damp environments such as ditches, fens,
swamps, marshes, next to rivers, canals, and lakes. They are also found both inland and
on the coast.

How to Identify Meadowsweet

Meadowsweet is a tall plant that can reach up to 6 ½ feet or 2 meters. Apart from the
sprays of flowers, the distinctive characteristic is the strong, sweet fragrance and the
slightly antiseptic smell when the flowers are crushed.

Stem: Young stems are green and turn red and develop grooves as they mature.
This applies both to plant stems and leaf stalks. The leaves are spaced far apart.

2/10
 Leaf: New leaves are pale
green, but they turn dark
green. The underside appears
whiteish or silvery due to the
downy hair on the surface.
Leaves appear in pairs: large,
toothed leaves with tiny,
toothed leaves in between. The
large leaves on the ends of
stalks have three to five lobes.

Flower: Flowering season is

from early summer through to
early fall. The buds look like a
small cauliflower.

As the delicate flowers in each

densely packed cluster open, they
form irregularly shaped, feathery,
‘frothy’ sprays of creamy-white
flowers.

Each flower has 5 petals and up to

20 stamens. The sweet scent is
powerful and changes when the
flowers are bruised or crushed.

Fruit: The tiny fruits form at

the center of each flower.

The curl in a way that makes them

look like clenched fists.

The green fruit turn brown and these

fruit/capsules contain the seeds.

Root: The root is pinkish and

even more pungent than other
parts of the plant.

3/10
How to Grow Meadowsweet
Meadowsweet is the ideal choice if you have an area in your garden that is damp. This
plant will thrive if planted in full sun – although it will also be happy in partial shade – in
rich, moist soil. The soil can be loamy or clay with either neutral or alkaline pH.

There are options when it comes to growing Filipendula ulmaria. You can purchase plant
plugs, propagate from seeds, or divide mature plants.

Seeds should be sown in late summer as soon as the seeds are fully ripe.
Alternatively, you can refrigerate them for three months and start propagation
indoors in spring. It’s best to use seed-starting compost rather than potting soil.
Place the seeds on the surface of the soil, press down lightly, and then cover with a
thin layer of medium-size perlite. Keep the perlite and top layer of soil moist. The
containers must have light to germinate.
The division should take place every few years in late winter or early spring. It is a
good idea to divide plants when the clumps become too crowded or plants don’t
appear as healthy. Dig up the roots are carefully separate the rhizomes. Each new
clump of root matter should have at least one strong, healthy rhizome. These can
then be replanted 1 – 2 feet / 30 – 60 centimeters apart.

4/10
Planting

When the plants are established enough, or if you purchase plugs, you can plant them out
into your garden or larger pots. Place a little compost into each hole before planting and
place mulch over the soil afterward to help retain moisture. Remember to leave space
between plants as they will bush out in addition to increasing in height.

Related: 10 Plants That Should Never be Planted Together (Video)

Care

It is essential to provide deep and regular watering for young plants and potted ones,
especially during the summer months. If leaves start to go brown on young or mature
plants, it usually indicates a lack of water.

Cut Meadowsweet back in late winter or early spring so there is room for the new growth
to come through. If you prefer, you can prune the plant(s) in the fall or even after
flowering.

How to Harvest This Plant

Harvesting time is anywhere from
May to September depending on
climate and weather. All you need to
do is cut off the section of the plant
you want to use.

If you are foraging in the wild,

remember to harvest in a location
where the plants are not likely to
have absorbed chemicals or other
potentially harmful materials from
the soil or air.

What Meadowsweet is Good For and The Natural Remedies Made From It
Perhaps many think of Meadowsweet as the forerunner to aspirin. Although that is a
significant claim to fame, this plant has so much else to offer medicinally. It has been used
to treat, ease, or aid:

Mild to moderate pain, especially headache

Gastric ailments such as indigestion, reflux, bloating, ulcers, too much or too little
gastric acid, and diarrhea in children
Urological conditions including bladder and kidney stones and cystitis and as a
diuretic
Inflammatory conditions such as rheumatism and arthritis
Liver congestion.

5/10
If you want to purchase your
own Meadowsweet seeds, click
HERE

Some also use Meadowsweet in

drinks and food such as cordials,
soups, sauces, stews, and casseroles,
or stewed fruit.

What Parts of The Plant are Used in Remedies?

The flowers and leaves are used in various preparations and a combination of dried leaves
and flowers is possibly the most frequently used. However, the roots are also sometimes
used medicinally.

A DIY Meadowsweet Recipe

There are several recipes available for those who want a DIY remedy made from this
plant. One is ideal all year round and the second is only an option during summer months
when you can pick fresh flowers.

You can purchase dried Meadowsweet from a range of retailers at any time of year. A
further advantage is that Meadowsweet Tea is easy to make!

Ingredients

½ teaspoon dried
Meadowsweet (leaves and
flowers)
1 cup of boiling water

Method

Place the dried plant material

into a cup
Pour in the freshly boiled
water

Cover and leave the mixture to draw or steep for 5 – 10 minutes

Strain the mixture.

The longer you leave it steep, the stronger and more bitter the tea will be.

How to use

You can drink this tea or decoction up to three times daily. If you want to alter the aroma

6/10
or taste you can experiment with blending it with other teas or adding a sweetening agent
such as honey. Don’t add milk.

And a bonus recipe…

A second and summer option for a homemade remedy is Meadowsweet Elixir which is
believed to have analgesic effects. For this recipe you will require:

Fresh Meadowsweet flowers (enough to fill a good size glass jar)

100 milliliters / ½ cup vegetable glycerin
400 milliliters / 1 ¾ cup vodka (80% proof or higher).

The mixture should be left for 4 – 6 weeks. Check on the jar and push the flower down so
that the plant material remains covered. Strain the liquid and place it in a labelled
dropper bottle.

7/10
Dosage
As indicated, the tea can be consumed up to three times a day. Tincture doses vary
depending on age and weight. However, a standard dose is thought to be 30 – 60 drops in
water, taken when necessary.

If you purchase a readymade product, follow the directions on the packaging or the advice
of your healthcare provider.

How to Preserve This Plant

If you are foraging, cut the flowers from the plant and place them into a paper bag. This
allows the flowers to breathe. Once you are home, you have a few options for processing
and keeping the plant material:

Refrigerate: Place flowers into a plastic bag and include a damp cloth so moisture
is retained. Put the bag into the refrigerator. They will be usable for up to 7 days
using this method if you open the bag daily to allow fresh air in.
Dry:
Whole stalks: You can hang small bunches of stalks with leaves and flower
heads in a warm, well-ventilated area until they become dry and crumbly to
the touch.
Flowers and/or leaves: Spread out the flowers and/or leaves on fabric or a
drying screen and place them in a warm, well-ventilated area. Move the plant
material around every few days to ensure it all dries thoroughly. Once dry,
store it in a labeled, airtight jar in a cool, dark place.

Meadowsweet will stay usable for up to 12 months if it was 100% dry and stored in
airtight containers.

Related: How To Properly Dry Plants for Medicine

8/10
What Plants Resemble Meadowsweet?
There are a couple of plants that may cause confusion when it comes to identifying
Meadowsweet in the wild. This is far less likely to happen, though, when it is in bloom.
The plants in question are described in the table below:

Feature Meadowsweet Agrimony Silverweed Nettle/Bramble

Stems Red, grooved, Hairy from Red, Dark red/brown

hairless midway up, smooth
reddish

Leaf shape Toothed, pairs Toothed, pairs Toothed, Toothed, pairs

with 2 large & 2 with 2 large & 2 pairs with 2 with 2 large & 2
tiny leaves tiny leaves large & 2 tiny leaves
tiny leaves

Thorns/stings None None None None

Leaf color Dark green on Dark green on Silver- Light to darker

the upper side, the upper side, white, silky green, covered
whitish and hairy whitish and hairy in texture in hairs /
underneath underneath on both stinging hairs
sides

Smell/flower Sweet, antiseptic Sweet scent Not Pungent,

aroma when crushed when crushed distinctive citronella-like

Images from left to right: Meadowsweet, Agrimony, Silverweed, and Nettle.

9/10
Warning and Caution

Meadowsweet is considered a safe plant for both ingestion and topical application.
However, as with any remedy – including plant-based ones – there are some cautions and
warnings for specific individuals. This plant should be avoided by:

People with a salicylate/aspirin allergy

Asthma patients
Children under 16 years of age
Pregnant and breastfeeding women
Individuals taking blood-thinning medications including aspirin
Patients scheduled for surgery.

Ingesting large amounts of this plant can lead to serious gastric issues and kidney
problems.

As with any remedy, natural or otherwise, check with your healthcare practitioner before
you start using Meadowsweet. This is particularly the case if you suffer from an existing
medical condition and/or are on medication.

You may also like:

How to Make Your Own

Natural First Aid Kit

Add This “Unusual Nutrient” to

Coffee or Tea, to
Effortlessly and Fully Empty
Your Bowels Every Single
Morning(Video)

A Medicinal Garden Kit for

Starting a Small Backyard
Pharmacy

Plant of The Week:

Marshmallow

How to Treat Gastrointestinal Disorders With Evening Primrose

10/10