Filipendula ulmaria
| Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria |
Meadowsweet - Filipendula ulmaria (in the Rosaceae or Rose family)
Part used: Flowers, upper aerial parts.
Taste/smell: Astringent, bitter, sweet.
Tendencies: Cooling, drying.
Dosage: Infusion: 1 tablespoon per cup of water; or 1:5 dry strength liquid extract: 10-60 drops 1-4 times per day.
Mental picture and specific indications: Burning and inflammation is a prevalent part of symptomology.
Use: (a) Diaphoretic, (b) Diuretic, (c) Astringent, (d) Anti-inflammatory, (e) Antibacterial with in vitro activity against Staph. aureus, Staph. hemolyticus, Strep pyogenes, Strep hemolyticus, E. coli, Shigella flexneri, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Bacillus subtilis.
Meadowsweet is used in colds, flu, chronic gastritis, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammation of the nerves, muscles and skin. Part of the anti-inflammatory activity appears to be due to its ability to inhibit complement activation and T-cell proliferation and interfere with reactive oxygen species (ROS) or ROS production by PMN confirmed by in vitro studies. Due to the small amounts of salicylates in the herb, it is unknown if they contribute to the anti-inflammatory activity.
It contains flavonoids like spiraeoside and other quercetin and kaempferol derivatives, essential oils composed of salicylaldehyde, methyl salicylate, anisaldehyde, benzyl alcohol and phenylethyl alcohol.
Contraindications: Meadowsweet may cause allergic hypersensitivity in persons sensitive to salicylates.