Where Meadowsweet grows, on a warm sunny day you can’t fail to smell those medicinal constituents on the reeze, which some compare to almonds, and others Germolene!
Meadowsweet has been found in Prehistoric graves all over Europe, and has been used medicinally for as long; primarily for relieving pain, fever, diarrhoea, and in the treatment of peptic ulcers. Its anti-inflammatory effects can be accounted for by the presence of several salicylate compounds, including salicylic acid.

In 1897, when Felix Hoffmann produced acetylsalicylic acid whilst working at Bayer, he used salicin produced from meadowsweet plants. This led to the development of the brand name Aspirin, derived from the botanical name for meadowsweet at the time; Spiraea ulmaria. Because Aspirin lacks the protective compounds found in Meadowsweet, such as tannins – Aspirin breaks the gastric mucosal barrier and can cause ulcers, leading to confusion in non-herbal medical professions for Meadowsweet’s role as a whole herb in healing the gastrointestinal system.

A personal favourite of mine and the plant that led me to ultimately becoming a Medical Herbalist – it’s no wonder I feel the common name Queen of the Meadow is well deserved!

Another name of Mead-wort is derived from past use in flavouring mead (handy to pre-emptively deal with the headache and gastrointestinal distress of over-imbibing!). It was also known as Bridewort, due to its use as a strewing herb for floors at weddings (Queen Elizabeth I also favoured it for this purpose in her chambers) and in welsh mythology, was used alongside Oak and Broom by magicians Math and Gwydion to create a woman named Blodeuwedd (flower face).

Note: When taking herbs, we recommend seeking the advice of a qualified medical herbalist.

Written by Jenny Carden-Porret, MNIMH.