Meadowsweet 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Meadowsweet 100 g ($13.99), 50 g ($8.99), 25 g ($5.99)

Nutrients and Compounds
Meadowsweet herb has been shown in some studies to possess the ability to fight oxidative stress, pain and inflammation due to its high concentration of compounds like tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, essential oils and salicylates (the same types of compounds found in aspirin that have pain-relieving effects). Specific compounds found within meadowsweet herb that give it medicinal properties include:

Tannins, such as ellagitannins, rutoside, spiraeoside, isoquercitrin and rugosins
Flavonoids, such as kaempferol and quercetin
Salicin, a pain-reducing compound that was first taken from the meadowsweet plant in the late 1800s and altered to become acetylsalicylic acid, which was later renamed aspirin

These can help to decrease swelling, accumulation of phlegm and other markers of inflammation that contribute to discomfort. Another use of its healing compounds is that it acts as a diuretic, meaning it helps reduce fluid accumulation in the body that makes swelling worse.

Joint Pain  Because it has anti-inflammatory effects, meadowsweet herb products are recommended for people with arthritis, degenerative joint disorders and gout. In fact, within this herb there’s a small amount of salicylic acid, which is the same active component found in aspirin that is taken to lower inflammation. Supposedly native Americans living in North America even fought painful conditions by making a concoction of meadowsweet mixed with yarrow.

Some research suggests that antioxidants present within Filipendula ulmaria, including flavonoids, may help support healthy immune responses and fight cell and tissue damage caused by free radicals. Meadowsweet also seems capable of decreasing inflammatory blood markers that may contribute to pain — plus it has natural cooling effects and promotes circulation.

Other mechanisms of action for decreasing swelling and pain include preventing buildup of uric acid in the blood, which can crystallize around sensitive joints, and inhibiting the enzyme xanthine oxidase, which causes increased production of uric acid.

Respiratory Infections  A traditional use of meadowsweet herb is taking it in tea form to potentially protect against infections and viruses contributing to respiratory problems, such as colds and bronchitis. However, more research is needed to show how effective it is.

Based on available research it may help support respiratory health due to its antimicrobial effects and by decreasing phlegm production and protecting against inflammation of the nasal passageways.

Stomach  Some people find that taking meadowsweet extract or tea can help decrease an upset stomach, nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, stomach bloating and symptoms caused by peptic ulcers. It’s speculated that it helps soothe the lining of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract and has antimicrobial effects that can support gut health. Some herbalists recommend that meadowsweet be combined with other herbal products for most digestive benefits, such as marshmallow root and chamomile for chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Skin Inflammation  In addition to being taken orally, meadowsweet is sometimes used as a topical treatment for skin inflammation. It seems capable of decreasing skin problems such as acne breakouts and redness, although few studies have actually examined this use.

It’s thought that its skin-protective effects are likely due to the presence of salicylic acid and tannins, which are known to have natural astringent (cleansing) properties that can help keep pores from being clogged and infected. Antioxidants within meadowsweet may also help skin against signs of aging.

Urinary/Bladder  With its high potency of antioxidants and essential oils that possess antimicrobial properties, meadowsweet may be able to help kill pathogens that can wind up causing urinary, kidney and bladder infections.

Botanical Name Filipendula ulmaria
English: Meadowsweet
Also, known as: Made suss, Ulmaire, Ulmaria, Dropwort, Filipendula, Mead wort
Origin: Poland
Harvested: Wild
Parts Used: Leaves & Stems

General Information:
Filipendula ulmaria, commonly known as meadowsweet or mead wort is a perennial herb in the family Rosaceae that grows in damp meadows. Erect stems are 2-4 feet tall. Fern-like leaves are downy underneath and dark green on top. 1 to 4 inches long. Meadowsweet has delicate, graceful, creamy-white flowers clustered close together in irregularly branched cymes, having a very strong, sweet smell. Meadowsweet’s display of yellowish-white flowers is an essential part of the Finnish summer. It doesn’t flower until it’s nine or ten years old, but it compensates with its fine display. On warm summer days the inflorescence’s cloyingly sweet, slightly vanilla-like fragrance attracts clouds of pollinating insects. The flowers have no nectar, but pollinators are rewarded with pollen, which they spread from flower to flower and which also spreads on the wind. It is native throughout most of Europe and Western Asia. It has been introduced and naturalized in North America, found in woodland gardens with dappled shade, bog gardens, moist banks, and meadows across North America

It was also known as bridewort, because it was strewn in churches for festivals and weddings, and often made into bridal garlands. Meadowsweet’s aromatic flowers have been used to flavour wine and beer. The fragrance of cut flowers in a vase fills the entire room. In the Roman days, meadowsweet flowers were sprinkled on the floor before feasts: where the flowers were getting crushed underfoot, their fragrance would float up. In Europe, it took its name “queen of the meadow for the way it can dominate a low-lying, damp meadow. The name ulmaria means “elm-like”, possibly in reference to its individual leaves which resemble those of the elm (Ulmus). Like slippery elm bark. However, the genus name comes from the Latin words filum meaning a thread and pendulus meaning hanging for the root tubers in some species that hang together with threads.

 

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. So you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

How Much To Use
It is common that 10g of a fresh herb = 1g when dehydrated.
Recommended daily amount: 2 tsp meadowsweet herb (4-5 g)/use up to 3 times/day. This can be added to food or to make tea.