No. 1 Botanicals – Meadowsweet, Queen of the Meadow (Filipendula ulmaria (L) Maxim Rosaceae)

A tall upright darkish-green perennial with clusters of creamy-white flowers, which are initially sweet scented but have a medicinal, almost aspirin-like, note beneath. Both flowers and leaves have been employed in ancient herbal medicine, and Meadowsweet is one of the sacred herbs of the Druids.

Though Meadowsweet’s preferred habitat is moist ground and meadows, it gained its name from the tradition of adding the flowering tops to flavour mead and wine – Meadsweet not Meadowsweet in other words. “One French source observes that the addition of the flowers to vin ordinaire gives it the bouquet of a finer wine” notes Barker, somewhat wryly¹.

Meadowsweet – as suggested by its common name – has a sweet and refreshing taste. The scientific name was once Spiraea and is where bitter aspirin gets its name. Aspirin was developed from salicylic acid; isolated from meadowsweet and white willow. Ancient wisdom suggests relief from headache simply by inhaling the aroma of the flowers², and the addition of Meadowsweet to mead or wine might well reduce the chances of a subsequent hangover!

The sweet, cloud-like flowers are used to flavour cordials and jellies. Drink No1 Meadowsweet Water at the gym, when travelling, or whenever you’re feeling hot and bothered. It’s a perfect partner for fish, dessert, and fruit dishes

REFERENCES

1. The Medicinal Flora of Britain and Northwestern Europe. Barker J. (2001) Winter Press. W. Wickham, UK.
2. Healing Threads: Traditional Medicines of the Highlands and Islands. Beith M. (1995) Polygon. Edinburgh.

Disclaimer

The information referring to the “No1 Rosemary Water extended family” found on our sites in connection with No1 Rosemary Water’s botanical waters range (“the Botanical Range”) is third party information relating to certain ingredients used in the Botanical Range. It is provided for the purposes of providing useful or interesting third party information on such ingredients but is not in any way intended to give the impression that the Botanical Range has any particular medicinal or health benefits or that it should be used to treat any illness. Nor should it be read as implying that No1 Rosemary Water or the Botanical Range has been authorised or granted any licence to promote or sell medicinal products.