Ingredients

Meadowsweet: Filipendula ulmaria

Parts Used: Aerial Parts

Active Compounds (24 in number)

• Volatile oil
  salicylaldehyde, ethylsalicylate, methylsalicylate, meth-oxybenzaldehyde
• Phenolic glycodides
  spiraein, monotropitin, gaultherin, isosalicin (glucoside of salicyl alcohol)
• Polyphenolic tannins mainly hydrolysable rugosin
• Flavonoids
  spiraeoside (quercitin-4'-glucoside), rutin, hyperoside, avicularin
• Miscellaneous
  mucilage, phenylcarboxylic acids, coumarin,
  Vitamin C

History

Meadowsweet was one of the three most sacred plants used by Celtic Druids. The analgesic substance salicin was first isolated from Meadowsweet in 1827. Salicylic acid was first synthesized in 1859 and provided the basis for the commercial synthesis of acetyl salicylic acid, commonly known as aspirin. The word aspirin owes its origin to the original genus name of Meadowsweet, Spiraea, having been coined from "a" (for acetyl, a chemical group) and "spirin" (from Spiraea).

Meadowsweet is one of the best digestive remedies available, it protects and soothes the mucous membranes of the digestive tract, reduces excess acidity, and eases nausea. It is used in the treatment of heartburn, hyperacidity, gastritis and peptic ulceration, and is useful in treating diarrhea in children.

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