Meadowsweet

Scientific Name(s): Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. Family: Rosaceae

Common Name(s): Meadowsweet , queen of the meadow , dropwort , bridewort , lady of the meadow

Clinical Overview

Uses of Meadowsweet

Meadowsweet has been used for colds, respiratory problems, acid indigestion, peptic ulcers, joint problems, skin diseases, and diarrhea.

Meadowsweet Dosing

Doses of 2.5 to 3.5 g/day of flower and 4 to 5 g of herb are considered conventional; however, no clinical trials support the safety or efficacy of these dosages. 1

Contraindications

Patients with salicylate or sulfite sensitivity. 2 , 3 Use with caution in patients with asthma.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Documented adverse effects. 4 Uteroactivity from meadowsweet has been observed in vitro; avoid administration during pregnancy and lactation. 2

Meadowsweet Interactions

None well documented.

Meadowsweet Adverse Reactions

The Complete German Commission E Monographs lists no known side effects. 5

Toxicology

Few toxic events have been reported.

Botany

Meadowsweet (synonym Spiraea ulmaria ) is a herbaceous, perennial shrub growing up to 2 m tall. The plant is native to Europe but also grows in North America, preferring damp, moist soil. The erect stem is red-marbled and hollow. The toothed leaves are dark green in color. Meadowsweet's aromatic, ornamental flowers are creamy, yellow-white, and contain 5 petals. The flowers are 5 mm in length and have an aroma reminiscent of wintergreen oil. The drug product consists of flower petals and some unopened buds. 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10

History

In 1597, botanist John Gerard mentioned how the smell of meadowsweet “delighteth the senses.” In 1652, English physician Nicholas Culpeper wrote about the plant's therapeutic effects on the stomach. 7 In 1682, meadowsweet was mentioned in a Dutch herbal. In Holland, the plant was called Filipendula , while in the rest of Europe, it was known as Spiraea . Queen Elizabeth Ι adorned her apartments with meadowsweet. The flowers were used to flavor alcoholic beverages in England and Scandinavian countries. 10 In the Middle Ages, meadowsweet was known as meadwort because it was used to flavor mead, an alcoholic drink made by fermenting honey and fruit juices. 7

In 1838, salicylic acid was isolated from the plant, and in the 1890s, it was first synthesized to make aspirin. 7 The word aspirin is derived from spirin, based on meadowsweet's scientific name Spiraea . 10

The plant was used in folk medicine for cancer, tumors, and rheumatism, and as a diuretic. 3 , 9 Today, it is used as a digestive remedy, as supportive therapy for colds, for analgesia, and for other indications.

Chemistry

Flavonoids in meadowsweet include the flavonol glycosides rutin, hyperin, and spiraeoside. 6 Spiraeoside has been evaluated in the plant's flowers. 11 Glycoside spiraein (quercitin glycoside and salicylaldehyde primveroside) is present, as are phenol glycosides including gaultherin. 5 , 10 A phenolic glycoside from meadowsweet flowers has been reported. 12 Quercetin and kaempferol derivatives have also been found in the plant, and hyperoside is present primarily in the leaves and stalks. 6 A report is available on 7 flavonoids isolated from meadowsweet flowers, fruits, leaves, and stalks. 13

Constituents in meadowsweet include hexahydroxydiphenic acid esters of glucose and tannins, 10% to 20%. 6 , 7 , 9 , 10 One report finds tannin content to be high compared with other Rosaceae species. 14

The essential oil contains primarily salicylaldehyde (75%), as well as phenylethyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, anisaldehyde, methyl salicylate, salicin, gaultherin, spiraein, spiraeoside, heliotropin, phenyl acetate, and vanillin. 2 , 3 , 6

Salicylates in the plant include salicylic aldehyde, salicylic acid, salicin, methyl salicylate, and others. 2 , 3 , 6 , 9 High-performance liquid chromatography and thin-layer chromatography screenings for meadowsweet salicylates have been performed. 15

Meadowsweet flowers contain heparin, which binds to the plant's proteins, forming a complex. 16 Heparin isolated from meadowsweet shows some similarity to heparin of animal origin. 17

Other constituents in meadowsweet include mucilage, carbohydrates, ascorbic acid, sugars, and minerals. 2 , 10

Phytochemical study of meadowsweet is available. 18

Meadowsweet Uses and Pharmacology

Meadowsweet is used for supportive therapy in colds, probably because of its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic actions. 5 , 6 , 8 , 10 The roots have been used to treat respiratory problems such as hoarseness, cough, and wheezing. 3

The plant is also used as a digestive remedy for acid indigestion or peptic ulcers. It protects the inner lining of the stomach while providing the anti-inflammatory benefits of salicylates. 7 A reduction in ulcerogenic action has been documented in rats, promoting the healing of induced chronic ulcers and preventing acetylsalicylic acid-induced lesions in the stomach. 19 However, meadowsweet has been reported to potentiate ulcerogenic properties in animals. 2

Because joint problems may be related to increased acid, the ability of meadowsweet to reduce acidity is beneficial in treating joint problems. 7 Meadowsweet may also improve the condition of connective joint tissue. 10 In folk medicine, meadowsweet was used as a treatment for rheumatism of muscles and joints, and for arthritis. 6

A heparin-plant protein complex was found to have anticoagulant and fibrinolytic properties. 17 Meadowsweet flowers and seeds demonstrated an increased level of anticoagulant activity in vitro and in vivo in another report. 20 In vitro complement inhibition from the plant's flowers has been studied. 21

Bacteriostatic activity from meadowsweet flower extracts include actions against Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus epidermidis , Escherichia coli , Proteus vulgaris , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . 2 The salicylic acid in the plant is a known disinfectant used to treat ailments such as skin diseases. 3 Meadowsweet is also a urinary antiseptic, the mechanism of action being its close relation to phenol. 10

The tannins in the plant possess astringent properties. Root preparations have been used in the treatment of diarrhea. 2 , 3

Local administration of a meadowsweet decoction resulted in a 39% decrease in the frequency of induced squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix and vagina in mice; 67% of patients had a positive response. 22

Meadowsweet has been used as a sedative and to soothe nerves. 3 Reduction of motor activity and potentiation of narcotic action has been observed in animals given the herb. 2

Meadowsweet had no effect on glycemic control when studied in mice for treatment of diabetes. 23

Dosage

Doses of 2.5 to 3.5 g/day of flower and 4 to 5 g of herb are considered conventional; however, no clinical trials support the safety or efficacy of these dosages. 1

Pregnancy/Lactation

Documented adverse effects. 4 Uteroactivity from meadowsweet has been observed in vitro; avoid administration during pregnancy and lactation. 2

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

The Complete German Commission E Monographs lists no known side effects. 5

Toxicology

The Complete German Commission E Monographs lists no known contraindications (except in those with salicylate sensitivity), or drug interactions with use of meadowsweet. 5 The FDA has classified the plant as an “herb of undefined safety.” 3

Use caution because of the toxicity profile of salicylates. Methyl salicylate can be absorbed through the skin, resulting in fatalities, especially in children. 2 , 3

Bronchospasm has been documented with use of the plant; therefore, use caution in patients with asthma.

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