Meadowsweet is something of an old-fashioned herb in that it used to be quite commonly used in herbalism but now is rather unknown. John Gerard, an English Renaissance botanist and herbalist said, “The leaves and floures of Meadowsweet farre excelle all other strowing herbs for to decke up houses, to strawe in chambers, halls and banqueting-houses in the summer-time, for the smell thereof makes the heart merrie and joyful and delighteth the senses.”
The flowers have a lovely honey/vanilla-like scent and the flavor is lightly sweet, as you might imagine from the name. It also has a plethora of medicinal properties, including having anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effects due to its salicylic acid content. Salicylic acid is one of the main active compounds in white willow bark and the substance that aspirin (the original non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, or NSAID, pharmaceutical) was originally synthesized from.
In addition to these properties, it makes a delightful tea and can be infused in wine, if you’re so inclined, as well as being used to make baked goods. Imagine meadowsweet shortbread cookies! It’s also one of the ingredients in our Riding the Retrogrades tea and is available in bulk in-store (we’re happy to ship it to you too, just give us a call).
References:
Meadowsweet Herb, A Natural Painkiller
10 Proven Health Benefits of Meadowsweet
A Modern Herbal by Mrs. M. Grieve: Meadowsweet
Eldrum Herbs: Meadowsweet
Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. (Meadowsweet): a Review of Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology
by Jenny
