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Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph

Meadowsweet

Filipendula ulmaria

Family RosaceaeParts used Flower, Leaf, StemAlso known as queen of the meadow, mead wort

This monograph compiles 7 pharmacological actions, 15 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 15 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.

Pharmacological Actions

Analgesic (pain relief)[5, 13, 14, 15]
Anti-inflammatory[1, 3, 4, 5, 13, 14, 15]
Antimicrobial[13, 14, 15]
Antioxidant[1, 6, 7, 13, 14, 15]
Antispasmodic[13, 14, 15]

Antispasmodic (cramp easing)

Diuretic[9, 11, 13, 14, 15]
Gastroprotective[1, 13, 14, 15]

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Acid reflux[13, 14, 15]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from gastroprotective action

more plants for acid reflux →detailed sources →
Arthritis / joint pain[13, 14, 15]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →
Back pain[13, 14, 15]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from analgesic action

more plants for back pain →detailed sources →
Headache[13, 14, 15]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from analgesic action

more plants for headache →detailed sources →
Indigestion[13, 14, 15]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from gastroprotective action

more plants for indigestion →detailed sources →
Infection (general)[13, 14, 15]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →
Inflammation (general)[13, 14, 15]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →
Menstrual cramps[13, 14, 15]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

more plants for menstrual cramps →detailed sources →
Muscle spasm[13, 14, 15]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antispasmodic action

more plants for muscle spasm →detailed sources →
Pain (general)[13, 14, 15]Traditional · 1/10
more plants for pain (general) →detailed sources →
Skin irritation[13, 14, 15]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →
Swelling / fluid retention[13, 14, 15]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from diuretic action

more plants for swelling / fluid retention →detailed sources →
Urinary support[13, 14, 15]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from diuretic action

more plants for urinary support →detailed sources →
Urinary tract infection (UTI)[13, 14, 15]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from diuretic action

more plants for urinary tract infection (uti) →detailed sources →
Wounds[13, 14, 15]Traditional · 1/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

more plants for wounds →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[13, 14, 15]Caution

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.

Safety note[13, 14, 15]Caution

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).

References

REF-0815, REF-0816, REF-0817, REF-2030, REF-2031, REF-2032, REF-2033, REF-2034, REF-2035, REF-2036, REF-2037, REF-2038

References & Sources

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. Bridge, J (2008) 'The Herbal Remedy Handbook'. Traditional / reference
    Find this source
  14. 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
    Find this source
  15. Grieve, M (1931) 'A Modern Herbal'. Traditional / reference
    Find this source

Record last updated 2026-06-20 · Provenance: book+pubmed · Status: verified

This fact sheet is generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and reflects its latest synced data. It is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.

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