Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
Meadowsweet vs Breckland Thyme
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 Breckland Thyme: they share 8 indicated uses (acid reflux, arthritis / joint pain, cancer (anticancer research), …); 5 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Meadowsweet | Breckland Thyme | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acid reflux | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Arthritis / joint pain | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Indigestion | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Infection (general) | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Wounds | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
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 volatile oil, dominated by thymol and carvacrol, gives most of the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity.
Contribute additional antioxidant activity.
Minor constituents studied for anti-inflammatory activity.
Pharmacological Actions
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 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 anti-inflammatory action
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 safe at culinary doses. Essential oil is highly concentrated and must be diluted before topical use; undiluted application can cause skin sensitisation. Not recommended internally during pregnancy (uterine stimulant effects possible). Phenol-rich thyme preparations should be avoided long-term in high doses. May potentiate anticoagulant medications.
Duke (2002) rates Thymus vulgaris (garden thyme, closely related to breckland thyme) as +++ with clinical evidence (score 2) for antibacterial, bronchospasmolytic, and antispasmodic activities, consistent with Commission E and WHO approvals for bronchitis and upper respiratory catarrh. The primary active constituent is thymol, with carvacrol as a secondary compound. Dose: 1–2 g dried herb as tea three times daily. The plant demonstrates COX-2 inhibitory activity and calcium antagonism, which may explain its antispasmodic effects (Duke, 2002).
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]
Low, mat-forming, aromatic perennial subshrub with tiny, oval, strongly aromatic leaves on trailing, wiry, hairy stems that root as they spread. Small, pinkish-purple, two-lipped flowers are borne in dense whorled clusters at the stem tips.
Habitat
Grows in damp meadows, marshes, riverbanks, ditches and wet woodland margins; native to Europe and temperate Asia, favouring moist, nutrient-rich ground.[1]
Grows on dry, sunny heath, grassland, rocky ground and sandy soils; native to Europe and widely distributed across the northern temperate zone.
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]
The flowering aerial parts (flower and leaf) are cut at the start of flowering in summer and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place.
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]
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.
Dried flowering herb infused in hot water as a traditional respiratory and digestive tea.
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.
Not documented
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
- Jalil, B., Pischel, I., Feistel, B., Suarez, C. and others (2024) 'Wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.): a review of the current evidence of nutritional and preventive health benefits', Frontiers in Nutrition, 11, pp. 1380962. doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1380962 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1380962 - Sonmezdag, A.S., Kelebek, H. and Selli, S (2016) 'Characterization of aroma-active and phenolic profiles of wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum) by GC-MS-Olfactometry and LC-ESI-MS/MS', Journal of Food Science and Technology, 53(4), pp. 1957-1965. doi:10.1007/s13197-015-2144-1 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-015-2144-1 - Pavlic, B., Mrkonjic, Z., Teslic, N., Kljakic, A.C. and others (2022) 'Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent (NADES) Extraction Improves Polyphenol Yield and Antioxidant Activity of Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) Extracts', Molecules, 27(5), pp. 1508. doi:10.3390/molecules27051508 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27051508 - Mrkonjic, Z., Kaplan, M., Milosevic, S., Bozovic, D. and others (2024) 'Green Extraction Approach for Isolation of Bioactive Compounds in Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) Herbal Dust-Chemical Profile, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity and Comparison with Conventional Techniques', Plants, 13(6), pp. 897. doi:10.3390/plants13060897 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13060897 - Sokolic-Mihalak, D., Frece, J., Slavica, A., Delas, F. and others (2012) 'The effects of wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) essential oil components against ochratoxin-producing Aspergilli', Arhiv za Higijenu Rada i Toksikologiju, 63(4), pp. 457-462. doi:10.2478/10004-1254-63-2012-2309 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2478/10004-1254-63-2012-2309 - Jaric, S., Mitrovic, M. and Pavlovic, P (2015) 'Review of Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical, and Pharmacological Study of Thymus serpyllum L', Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015, pp. 101978. doi:10.1155/2015/101978 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/101978 - Loziene, K., Vaiciuniene, J. and Venskutonis, P.R (1998) 'Chemical composition of the essential oil of creeping thyme (Thymus serpyllum s.l.) growing wild in Lithuania', Planta Medica, 64(8), pp. 772-773. doi:10.1055/s-2006-957582 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-957582 - Raal, A., Paaver, U., Arak, E. and Orav, A (2004) 'Content and composition of the essential oil of Thymus serpyllum L. growing wild in Estonia', Medicina (Kaunas), 40(8), pp. 795-800. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Content%20and%20composition%20of%20the%20essential%20oil%20of%20Thymus%20serpyllum%20L.%20growing%20wild%20in%20Estonia - Bozkurt, E., Atmaca, H., Kisim, A., Uzunoglu, S. and others (2012) 'Effects of Thymus serpyllum extract on cell proliferation, apoptosis and epigenetic events in human breast cancer cells', Nutrition and Cancer, 64(8), pp. 1245-1250. doi:10.1080/01635581.2012.719658 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2012.719658 - Jovanovic, A.A., Levic, S.M., Pavlovic, V.B., Markovic, S.B. and others (2021) 'Freeze vs. Spray Drying for Dry Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum L.) Extract Formulations: The Impact of Gelatin as a Coating Material', Molecules, 26(13), pp. 3933. doi:10.3390/molecules26133933 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26133933 - European Medicines Agency (2010) 'Assessment report on Thymus vulgaris L., herba and Thymus zygis L., herba'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Assessment%20report%20on%20Thymus%20vulgaris%20L.%2C%20herba%20and%20Thymus%20zygis%20L.%2C%20herba - Kempe, K., Doerfler, G., Bader, D. and Wicht, M (2011) 'Activity of Thymus serpyllum against oral pathogens', 9(1), pp. 23--28. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Activity%20of%20Thymus%20serpyllum%20against%20oral%20pathogens - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - 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
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.