Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
Meadowsweet vs Mallow
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Meadowsweet and Mallow: they share 9 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, back pain, cancer (anticancer research), …); 5 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Meadowsweet | Mallow | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Back pain | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 2/10 | 7/10 | Stronger for Mallow |
| Headache | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Infection (general) | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Pain (general) | 1/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Mallow |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Wounds | 1/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Mallow |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
Historically the source of aspirin's chemical inspiration; provide the plant's analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity, buffered by co-occurring mucilage and tannins.
Antioxidant constituents contributing to the plant's anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective effects.
Contribute to astringency and the characteristic sweet almond-like fragrance.
The high mucilage content gives the demulcent, soothing action.
The blue-purple pigments and antioxidant constituents.
Phenolic constituents associated with antioxidant and reported antiproliferative (anticancer) activity in cell studies.
Pharmacological Actions
Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and wound-healing (preclinical)
Antibacterial / antimicrobial (methanolic leaf extracts; the naphthoquinone Malvone A)
Demulcent for irritation of the mouth or throat and associated dry cough (soothing mucilage); Mild laxative for occasional constipation (mucilage; traditional)
Mild laxative for occasional constipation (mucilage; traditional)
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from gastroprotective action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from gastroprotective action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from diuretic action
inferred from diuretic action
inferred from diuretic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anticancer action
Mild laxative for occasional constipation (mucilage; traditional)
Demulcent for irritation of the mouth or throat and associated dry cough (soothing mucilage)
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from analgesic action
Soothes irritated and inflamed skin and mucous membranes
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally safe in normal culinary and medicinal doses. Avoid in salicylate sensitivity or aspirin allergy. Not recommended for children with viral illnesses (Reye's syndrome risk, as with other salicylate-containing plants). Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Duke (2002) rates meadowsweet as ++ and notes analgesic, antiulcer, antirheumatic, astringent, and anti-aggregant activities at the experimental level (score 1). The plant is historically significant as a precursor to aspirin — salicylate compounds in meadowsweet were originally used to derive acetylsalicylic acid. Unlike aspirin, meadowsweet's salicylates are combined with protective mucilaginous compounds that may reduce gastric irritation. Duke notes that individuals with aspirin (salicylate) sensitivity should avoid meadowsweet; the plant also has anticoagulant properties that may interact with blood-thinning medications (Duke, 2002).
Generally very well tolerated. Irritation of the mouth/throat or a cough that persists beyond about a week, or is accompanied by fever or breathlessness, needs medical assessment.
Use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended in the absence of adequate data.
External Ids
Botanical Description
Tall, moisture-loving perennial herb with pinnately compound leaves, dark green above and whitish-downy beneath, the leaflets sharply toothed. Dense, fluffy, creamy-white flower clusters with a strong, sweet, almond-like fragrance are borne atop reddish, grooved stems.[1]
Biennial or short-lived perennial herb, 30-120 cm tall, with erect or sprawling, branched, often reddish stems. Leaves are alternate, long-stalked and palmately lobed with 5-7 shallow rounded lobes and toothed margins. Flowers are pink-purple with darker veining, with five notch-tipped petals borne in small axillary clusters. The fruit is a flattened, disc-shaped schizocarp ('cheese') that splits into a ring of small single-seeded nutlets.[2]
Habitat
Grows in damp meadows, marshes, riverbanks, ditches and wet woodland margins; native to Europe and temperate Asia, favouring moist, nutrient-rich ground.[1]
Common on roadsides, waste ground, hedgebanks and field margins across Europe, North Africa and temperate Asia, and widely naturalised elsewhere; tolerates a wide range of soils, favouring sunny, disturbed, nitrogen-rich sites.[2]
Harvesting
The flowering tops, leaf and stem are cut in summer as the flowers open, when the characteristic salicylate content is highest, and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place.[1]
Leaves and flowers are gathered during the flowering period (summer) and dried quickly out of direct sun to preserve their mucilage content; fresh material can also be used directly for infusions or poultices.[11]
Traditional Uses
Meadowsweet is historically significant as the plant from which salicylic acid derivatives (the chemical basis of aspirin) were first isolated, and has long been used in European folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic and gastroprotective remedy for feverish colds, rheumatic and joint pain, and digestive complaints such as acid reflux and indigestion - notably, its natural mucilage is thought to buffer the gastric irritation associated with isolated salicylates.[1, 4]
Mallow leaf and flower have a long ethnobotanical history across Europe as a demulcent for irritated mucous membranes - soothing coughs, sore throat and mouth irritation - and for occasional constipation and skin irritation, reflecting the mucilage-rich leaf and flower. Modern phytochemical and pharmacological work confirms antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and wound-healing activity of its extracts.[2, 11]
Preparations
Dried flower, leaf and stem infused in hot water as a traditional anti-inflammatory and digestive tea.
Tincture (1:5) of the dried aerial parts; single dose 2-4 ml, daily dose 6-12 ml per the EU herbal monograph. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Concentrated extract studied in vitro and in vivo for anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective activity.
Dosage
The EU herbal monograph gives a single dose of 1.5-6 g of the comminuted herb as an infusion, for a daily dose of 2-18 g, in adults and elderly; a powdered herbal substance at 250-500 mg per dose (250-1500 mg daily) and a 1:5 tincture at 2-4 mL per dose (6-12 mL daily) are also listed. Contraindicated in hypersensitivity to salicylates. For rheumatic-type complaints, not to be used for more than 4 weeks. Not recommended under 18 years. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
EMA herbal-monograph guidance suggests roughly 1.5-2 g of dried leaf or flower per cup, taken as an infusion up to 3 times daily. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Lookalikes Review
References & Sources
- Samardžić, S., Arsenijević, J., Božić, D., Milenković, M. et al (2017) 'Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective activity of Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. and Filipendula vulgaris Moench', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 213, pp. 132-137. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2017.11.013 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2017.11.013 - Andonova, T., Muhovski, Y., Apostolova, E., Naimov, S. et al (2024) 'DNA-Protective, Antioxidant and Anti-Carcinogenic Potential of Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) Dry Tincture', Antioxidants (Basel), 13(10), pp. 1200. doi:10.3390/antiox13101200 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13101200 - Van der Auwera, A., Peeters, L., Foubert, K., Piazza, S. et al (2023) 'In Vitro Biotransformation and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Constituents and Metabolites of Filipendula ulmaria', Pharmaceutics, 15(4), pp. 1291. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics15041291 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15041291 - Katanic, J., Boroja, T., Mihailovic, V., Nikles, S., Pan, S., Rosic, G., Selakovic, D., Joksimovic, J., Mitrovic, S. and Bauer, R (2016) 'In vitro and in vivo assessment of meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) as anti-inflammatory agent', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 193, pp. 627-636. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.10.015 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.10.015 - Samardzic, S., Tomic, M., Pecikoza, U., Stepanovic-Petrovic, R. and Maksimovic, Z (2016) 'Antihyperalgesic activity of Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. and Filipendula vulgaris Moench in a rat model of inflammation', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 193, pp. 652-656. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.10.024 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.10.024 - Katanic, J., Matic, S., Pferschy-Wenzig, E., Kretschmer, N., Boroja, T., Mihailovic, V., Stankovic, V., Stankovic, N., Mladenovic, M., Stanic, S., Mihailovic, M. and Bauer, R (2016) 'Filipendula ulmaria extracts attenuate cisplatin-induced liver and kidney oxidative stress in rats: In vivo investigation and LC-MS analysis', Food and Chemical Toxicology, 99, pp. 86-102. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2016.11.018 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2016.11.018 - Arsenijevic, N., Selakovic, D., Katanic Stankovic, J.S., Mihailovic, V., Mitrovic, S., Milenkovic, J., Milanovic, P., Vasovic, M., Nikezic, A., Milosevic-Djordjevic, O., Zivanovic, M., Filipovic, N., Jakovljevic, V., Jovicic, N. and Rosic, G (2021) 'Variable neuroprotective role of Filipendula ulmaria extract in rat hippocampus', Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, 20(4), pp. 871-883. doi:10.31083/j.jin2004089 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.31083/j.jin2004089 - Matic, S., Katanic, J., Stanic, S., Mladenovic, M., Stankovic, N., Mihailovic, V. and Boroja, T (2015) 'In vitro and in vivo assessment of the genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity of the Filipendula hexapetala and Filipendula ulmaria methanol extracts', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 174, pp. 287-292. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2015.08.025 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2015.08.025 - Pannakal, S.T., Eilstein, J., Hubert, J., Kotland, A., Prasad, A., Gueguiniat-Prevot, A., Juchaux, F., Beaumard, F., Seru, G., John, S. and Roy, D (2023) 'Rapid Chemical Profiling of Filipendula ulmaria Using CPC Fractionation, 2-D Mapping of 13C NMR Data, and High-Resolution LC-MS', Molecules, 28(17), pp. 6349. doi:10.3390/molecules28176349 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28176349 - Valle, M.G., Nano, G.M. and Tira, S (1988) 'The Essential Oil of Filipendula ulmaria', Planta Medica, 54(2), pp. 181-182. doi:10.1055/s-2006-962390 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-962390 - Popowski, D., Zentek, J., Piwowarski, J.P. and Granica, S (2021) 'Gut Microbiota of Pigs Metabolizes Extracts of Filipendula ulmaria and Orthosiphon aristatus - Herbal Remedies Used in Urinary Tract Disorders', Planta Medica, 88(3-04), pp. 254-261. doi:10.1055/a-1647-2866 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1647-2866 - Bespalov, V.G., Alexandrov, V.A., Semenov, A.L., Kovan'ko, E.G., Ivanov, S.D., Vysochina, G.I., Kostikova, V.A. and Baranenko, D.A (2016) 'The inhibitory effect of meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) on radiation-induced carcinogenesis in rats', International Journal of Radiation Biology, 93(4), pp. 394-401. doi:10.1080/09553002.2016.1257834 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/09553002.2016.1257834 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2011) 'Community herbal monograph on Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim., herba'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-filipendula-ulmaria-l-maxim-herba-first-version_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-filipendula-ulmaria-l-maxim-herba-first-version_en.pdf - Bridge, J (2008) 'The Herbal Remedy Handbook'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=The%20Herbal%20Remedy%20Handbook - Drummond, E.M., Harbourne, N., Marete, E., Jacquier, J.C., O'Riordan, D. and Gibney, E.R (2013) 'Inhibition of pro-inflammatory biomarkers in THP1 macrophages by polyphenols derived from chamomile, meadowsweet and willow bark', 27(4), pp. 588--594. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Inhibition%20of%20pro-inflammatory%20biomarkers%20in%20THP1%20macrophages%20by%20polyphenols%20derived%20from%20chamomile%2C%20meadowsweet%20and%20willow%20bark - Grieve, M (1931) 'A Modern Herbal'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=A%20Modern%20Herbal - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition
- Mousavi, S.M., Hashemi, S.A., Behbudi, G., Mazraedoost, S. and others (2021) 'A Review on Health Benefits of Malva sylvestris L. Nutritional Compounds for Metabolites, Antioxidants, and Anti-Inflammatory, Anticancer, and Antimicrobial Applications', Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2021, pp. 5548404. doi:10.1155/2021/5548404 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5548404 - Gasparetto, J.C., Martins, C.A., Hayashi, S.S., Otuky, M.F. and others (2012) 'Ethnobotanical and scientific aspects of Malva sylvestris L.: a millennial herbal medicine', Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 64(2), pp. 172-189. doi:10.1111/j.2042-7158.2011.01383.x Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-7158.2011.01383.x - Wu, Y., Qiu, A., Yang, Z., Wu, J. and others (2019) 'Malva sylvestris extract alleviates the astrogliosis and inflammatory stress in LPS-induced depression mice', Journal of Neuroimmunology, 336, pp. 577029. doi:10.1016/j.jneuroim.2019.577029 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneuroim.2019.577029 - Ben Saad, A., Rjeibi, I., Brahmi, D., Smida, A. and others (2016) 'Malva sylvestris extract protects upon lithium carbonate-induced kidney damages in male rat', Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 84, pp. 1099-1107. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2016.10.026 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2016.10.026 - Zuo, H., Li, Y., Cui, Y. and An, Y (2017) 'Cardioprotective effect of Malva sylvestris L. in myocardial ischemic/reperfused rats', Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 95, pp. 679-684. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2017.08.111 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2017.08.111 - Benso, B., Rosalen, P.L., Alencar, S.M. and Murata, R.M (2015) 'Malva sylvestris Inhibits Inflammatory Response in Oral Human Cells. An In Vitro Infection Model', PLoS One, 10(10), pp. e0140331. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0140331 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0140331 - Prudente, A.S., Sponchiado, G., Mendes, D.A.G.B., Soley, B.S. and others (2017) 'Pre-clinical efficacy assessment of Malva sylvestris on chronic skin inflammation', Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 93, pp. 852-860. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2017.06.083 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2017.06.083 - Mohaghegh, Z., Golfakhrabadi, F., Faal Siahkal, S., Dastoorpoor, M. and others (2022) 'The Effect of Malva sylvestris Cream on Episiotomy Pain and Healing: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial', International Journal of Community Based Nursing and Midwifery, 10(4), pp. 248-258. doi:10.30476/IJCBNM.2022.95772.2082 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.30476/IJCBNM.2022.95772.2082 - Areesanan, A., Nicolay, S., Keller, M., Zimmermann-Klemd, A.M. and others (2023) 'Potential benefits of Malva sylvestris in dry-eye disease pathology in vitro based on antioxidant, wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties', Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 168, pp. 115782. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115782 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115782 - Martins, C.A., Weffort-Santos, A.M., Gasparetto, J.C., Trindade, A.C. and others (2014) 'Malva sylvestris L. extract suppresses desferrioxamine-induced PGE2 and PGD2 release in differentiated U937 cells', Biomedical Chromatography, 28(7), pp. 986-993. doi:10.1002/bmc.3106 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/bmc.3106 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (n.d.) 'European Union herbal monograph on Malva sylvestris L., folium and flos (Malvae folium / Malvae sylvestris flos)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/malvae-folium Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/malvae-folium - Paul, Z.A. and Malla, A.T. and Dar, M.A. and Masoodi, M.H (2024) 'Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activity of Malva sylvestris L.: A Detailed Insight', Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening, 27(16), pp. 2309--2322. doi:10.2174/0113862073269336231009110313 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.2174/0113862073269336231009110313 - Batiha, G.E. and Tene, S.T. and Teibo, J.O. and Shaheen, H.M. and Oluwatoba, O.S. and Teibo, T.K.A. and Al-Kuraishy, H.M. and Al-Garbee, A.I. and Alexiou, A. and Papadakis, M (2022) 'The phytochemical profiling, pharmacological activities, and safety of Malva sylvestris: a review', Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology, 396(3), pp. 421--440. doi:10.1007/s00210-022-02329-w Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00210-022-02329-w
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.