Meadowsweet: the natural aspirin

Regina dei prati, or “queen of the meadows,” is one of the many common names by which Meadowsweet is known, also recognized as Filipendula ulmaria.

Its habitat is Europe and Asia; in Italy, it is found in the humid meadows of the Alps and the Apennines

(0-1600 meters above sea level).

The genus name comes from the Latin “filium” = thread and “pédulus” = pendulum, referring to the nodular formations that develop at the base of the root, while the species name, “ulmaria,” refers to the resemblance of the leaves to those of the Elm. The synonym of the genus comes from the Greek “speira” due to the fruit’s spiral shape.

It is a perennial herb with a short rhizome, an erect stem reaching up to 100 cm in height, reddish in color, simple, or slightly branched. The leaves can reach a length of 40 cm, are pinnate with 3-5 pairs of large oval or lanceolate segments, doubly serrated, with large teeth themselves serrated; the stipules are just over 1 cm and are semicircular and pointed upwards. The upper surface of the stipules is smooth, while the lower surface is generally tomentose and white. The flowers, which bloom at the beginning of summer, are arranged in dense terminal corymbs and have a diameter of about 5 mm, cream-colored, and intensely fragrant; the calyx has 5 sepals that reflex after flowering, the corolla is white and has numerous stamens with long filaments (length exceeding the size of the petal), the approximately 6 carpels produce follicles, small in size, all twisted together in a spiral.

The drug of Meadowsweet consists of roots, leaves, and flowering tops.

The roots contain gaultherin or spirin, a glucoside formed by sugars (glucose, xylose), and methyl salicylate. This constituent is an excellent diuretic, also possessing anti-inflammatory, tonic, and astringent properties, useful for assisting in the disposal of rheumatic and gouty abscesses.

The leaves contain phenolic glycosides (monotropin and spiraein), essential oil containing salicylic aldehyde, methyl salicylate, flavonoids, and ellagitannins. The properties are diuretic, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, and astringent.

The flowering tops contain methyl salicylate ether, piperonal, vanillin (aromatic aldehydes), salicylic acid, which have anticatarrhal, diaphoretic, diuretic, antiuric, and antirheumatic properties.

Meadowsweet exerts its aspirin-like action (actions: anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-aggregating) due to the presence of the salicylic group, and unlike the drug, it does not possess its side effects, which are ulcerogenic action with consequent erosive phenomena; indeed, it has a protective action in favor of the stomach. Its diuretic action can also be very helpful in cases of cellulite, and in cosmetics, it is widely used in the treatment of the scalp prone to dandruff and oily skin.

The use of Meadowsweet is not recommended in individuals allergic to the rose family, those sensitive to salicylates, and those already undergoing treatments with antiplatelets. Furthermore, its intake is not recommended concurrently with alcohol, sedatives, NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), antidiabetics, and in pregnant and breastfeeding women.

The forms in which it is generally recommended to take it are mother tincture, infusion of leaves/flowering tops, decoction of roots, and also syrup, while for external use, ointment is mainly used. In the Middle Ages, Meadowsweet flowers were often introduced into wine or beer and were one of the ingredients used to flavor mead, probably the oldest fermented beverage in the world.

The pleasant scent of leaves and flowers has been widely exploited; in fact, the flowers were scattered on floors to mask unpleasant odors and scent churches during religious ceremonies and weddings.

Meadowsweet was fundamental for the development of the famous “aspirin,” whose name was created by Bayer using the botanical name of the plant; in 1838, the chemist and Italian Raffaele Piria was the first to extract salicylic acid (the base of anti-inflammatories) from Meadowsweet buds and from the bark of the Willow (Salix alba).

ANJA LATINI

 Registered Herbalist at RNEP No. GLT0018S