Filipendula ulmaria (syn.
Spiraea ulmaria)
A perennial herb with a
short, pink rhizome and a tough, erect branched and leafy stem.
The stem leaves are alternate, odd-pinnate, doubly serrate, dark
green above and usually white-felted below; the stipules are
broadly cordate and conspicuous. The small, creamy-white,
fragrant flowers are arranged in a terminal corymb. The flowers
have reflexed hairy sepals and numerous long stamens. The fruit,
a one-seeded follicle, is spirally twisted. The scent of the
leaves is quite different from that of the flowers.
The flowers, and sometimes the young leaves and rhizomes, are
used medicinally. All parts contain the glycoside gaultherin and
spiraem, traces of an alkaloid (hehotropine), tannins, a yellow
pigment, vanillin and free salicylic acid, produced by the
splitting of gaultherin and citric acid. These substances give
the plant antipyretic, weak antispasmodic, astringent and
antirheumatic properties. The flowers are used in an infusion to
treat influenza, and to alleviate headache and rheumatic and
arthritic pain. Meadowsweet is gentler on the stomach than
aspirin and it is one of the most effective herbal remedies for
gastritis and peptic ulcers. Both the leaves and flowers are also
strongly diuretic and are used to treat certain bladder and
kidney disorders. The fresh root is used in homeopathic
preparations.
Meadowsweet is common in damp woods and meadows, in fens and by
riversides throughout Europe, including the British Isles. The
common name, Meadowsweet, is said to be derived from the
Anglo-Saxon word medu (= mead) because the plant was once used to
flavour the drink made from fermented honey. It has been used as
a medicinal plant since ancient times and it remains popular as a
herbal remedy. It was in the flowerheads that salicylic acid was
first discovered in 1839. It was from this substance that aspirin
(acetylsalicylic acid) was later synthesised.
Flowering time: June to September