Queen of the meadow (filipendula ulmaria)

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Other names for this ingredient

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Synopsis of queen of the meadow

“Queen of the Meadow” commonly refers to Filipendula ulmaria, also known as meadowsweet, a flowering herb in the Rosaceae (rose) family native to Europe and parts of Asia. It grows in damp meadows and is recognized by its tall stems and creamy-white, sweet-smelling blossoms. Meadowsweet is best known for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, astringent, and diuretic properties and has long been used to support pain relief, digestive comfort, and urinary tract health.

One of its most significant contributions to modern medicine is its content of salicylates—natural precursors to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). These compounds, along with flavonoids, tannins, and volatile oils, give meadowsweet its ability to reduce pain, fever, and inflammation, while being gentler on the stomach lining than synthetic aspirin.

Meadowsweet is often used in herbal medicine to:

  • Alleviate headaches, joint pain, and mild fevers
  • Soothe heartburn, gastritis, and acid reflux
  • Relieve nausea, indigestion, and stomach cramping
  • Support urinary tract function and mild fluid retention

It is typically prepared as a tea, tincture, or included in digestive and pain-relief blends.

Historical Use:
Meadowsweet has been used medicinally since ancient Celtic and Anglo-Saxon times. The Druids regarded it as one of their most sacred herbs, and it was commonly used in ceremonial and healing practices. By the Middle Ages, meadowsweet was widely employed for its aromatic and medicinal qualities—strewn on floors to freshen the air and brewed into teas for fevers and stomach troubles.

In 16th-century England, herbalist John Gerard praised it for its ability to ease internal heat, ulcers, and “wounds of the stomach.” By the 19th century, meadowsweet was commonly prescribed for gastric irritation, rheumatism, and urinary tract inflammation.

Its importance in modern pharmacology was solidified when salicylic acid was first isolated from meadowsweet and willow bark, leading to the synthesis of aspirin by Bayer in 1897. Despite aspirin's rise, herbalists continue to prefer meadowsweet for its gentle, synergistic effects, thanks to the buffering compounds in the plant that protect the stomach.

Queen of the meadow is used for these health conditions

Abdominal Pain (Traditional)
Afterbirth Pain (Traditional)
Backache (Traditional)
Bleeding (external) (Traditional)
Bruises (healing) (Traditional)
Burns and Scalds (Traditional)
Cramps (menstrual) (Traditional)
Cuts (Traditional)
Digestion (poor) (Traditional)
Edema (Traditional)
Fever (Traditional)
Gas and Bloating (Traditional)
Gastritis (Traditional)
Indigestion (Traditional)
Inflammation (Traditional)
Menstrual Irregularity (Traditional)
Pain (general remedies for) (Traditional)
Skin (infections) (Traditional)
Ulcers (Traditional)
Wounds and Sores (Traditional)

queen of the meadow is used to support these body systems

Bladder (Traditional)
Digestive System (Traditional)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Traditional)
Joints (Traditional)
Kidneys (Traditional)
Skin (Traditional)
Urinary System (Traditional)