> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://betonica-school-of-herbal-medicine.ghost.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Meadowsweet: a sweet remedy for a troubled stomach - URL: https://betonica-school-of-herbal-medicine.ghost.io/meadowsweet-a-sweet-remedy-for-a-troubled-stomach/ - Published: 2026-11-02T15:49:06.000Z - Updated: 2026-11-02T15:49:06.000Z - Author: Betonica Student 457038 ### A herbal approach to indigestion By 457038 --- If you traverse the low lanes of the Devon countryside during the height of the summer months, you'd be hard pressed not to pass by the delicately-scented, frothy, cream-blooms of Meadowsweet (*Filipendula ulmaria* (L.) Maxim.). ### History Queen-of-the-meadows, medesweet and meadow-wort are names by which meadowsweet has been known. Archaeological evidence suggests the herb has been used as far back as the Early Bronze Age in the British Isles (Murray & Shepherd, 2007). Elizabethan herbalist John Gerard notes, that for digestive issues among other uses, meadowsweet is recommended for diarrhoea and dysentery (Gerard, 1597). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/38/c73825ce-926e-4074-bdb7-340dec180829/content/images/2026/10/Screenshot-2026-10-26-at-11.22.56-1.png) ****Figure 2.** Botanical illustration and description of meadowsweet pg. 886 The Herball (Gerard, 1597) Gerard also describes the herb as cooling and drying with a 'binding quality' which ties directly into our modern understanding of meadowsweet as an astringent herb, rich in tannins. These astringent compounds help reduce excess mucus and secretions in the digestive tract, which may be particularly useful in cases of diarrhoea, or peptic ulcers (Hoffmann, 2003). ### Meadowsweet & indigestion Indigestion can cause upper abdominal discomfort, heartburn, bloating, nausea or burping, sometimes following rich food or drink. Symptoms are usually short-lived and occasional, however, recurring indigestion may indicate an underlying condition, such as GORD (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease), and warrants medical assessment (NHS, 2026). For indigestion we are particularly interested in how meadowsweet can soothe inflammation in the digestive tract and protect the stomach lining from stomach acid. This can be particularly useful where heartburn is present (Hoffmann, 2003). These anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective actions are primarily attributed to compounds in the herb called salicylates (notably salicylic acid, methyl salicylate and salicylaldehyde) and flavonoids, particularly polyphenol quercetin derivatives (Savina et al., 2023). However ellagitannins (a type of tannin in meadowsweet) may also contribute to these protective effects (Ganora, 2021). You may have come across the association of willow and aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), and whilst willow does also contain salicylates, the name aspirin actually comes from the former genus name for meadowsweet, *Spiraea* (Ganora, 2021). Whilst aspirin can irritate the stomach lining, the salicylates in meadowsweet occur alongside tannins and flavonoids, whose potentially synergistic (working together) actions may contribute to meadowsweet's gastroprotective properties. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/38/c73825ce-926e-4074-bdb7-340dec180829/content/images/2026/10/meadowsweet-1--1.png) ****Figure 3.** Meadowsweet tea (Steinbach, n.d.). ### Using meadowsweet safely For general indigestion, perhaps following a large, rich meal, flowering tops of meadowsweet taken as a tea, and sipped often, is a simple herbal remedy. However it is best avoided if you have any sensitivity to aspirin or are on blood-thinning medication or have been diagnosed with a bleeding disorder (EMA, 2011). If any of these apply, you can still work with a herbalist to find the best herbs for you and your health concerns. If your indigestion is persistent, it's important to consult a healthcare professional. A qualified herbalist can also help you explore suitable herbal treatments safely. You can find a herbalist through the [NIMH directory.](https://nimh.org.uk/seeaherbalist/?ref=betonica-school-of-herbal-medicine.ghost.io) Meadowsweet is a common wayside herb across the British Isles, and is on the BSBI least concern list. However, if gathering plants yourself, it is important to not take more than you can use, and leave enough for wildlife and others. You must also be certain of identification, therefore I recommend that you consult a reliable ID guide such as [wildfooduk.com.](https://www.wildfooduk.com/wild-plants/meadowsweet-2/?ref=betonica-school-of-herbal-medicine.ghost.io) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/38/c73825ce-926e-4074-bdb7-340dec180829/content/images/2026/10/Screenshot_20261025_204337_Gallery-2-1-1-1.jpg) ****Figure 4.** Meadowsweet **Filipendula ulmaria* by a damp hedgerow. Image Author's own. --- ## Post for Instagram & Facebook ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c7/38/c73825ce-926e-4074-bdb7-340dec180829/content/images/2026/10/Meadowsweet---Indigestion-1-.png) Indigestion is a common, usually short-lived, but nonetheless bothersome condition. Next time, before reaching for an anti-acid, discover how a common way-side herb can help soothe heartburn. And what does it have to do with aspirin? Find out in my latest blog. Link in bio. @betonicaschoolofherbalmedicine @betonica @herbal.reality @medherbalists --- ### References Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. (n.d.). Filipendula ulmaria. [https://bsbi.org/taxa/2cd4p9h.54r/filipendula-ulmaria](https://bsbi.org/taxa/2cd4p9h.54r/filipendula-ulmaria?ref=betonica-school-of-herbal-medicine.ghost.io) European Medicines Agency. (2011). Assessment report on Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim., herba and Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim., flos (EMA/HMPC/434892/2010). [https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/final-assessment-report-filipendula-ulmaria-l-maxim-herba-and-filipendula-ulmaria-l-maxim-flos-first-version\_en.pdf](https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/final-assessment-report-filipendula-ulmaria-l-maxim-herba-and-filipendula-ulmaria-l-maxim-flos-first-version%5Fen.pdf?ref=betonica-school-of-herbal-medicine.ghost.io) Gerard, J. (1597). The herball or generall historie of plantes. John Norton. Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical herbalism: The science and practice of herbal medicine. Healing Arts Press. Murray, H. K., & Shepherd, I. A. G. (2007). Excavation of a Beaker cist burial with meadowsweet at Home Farm, Udny Green, Aberdeenshire. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 137, 35–58. National Institute of Medical Herbalists. (n.d.). See a herbalist. [https://nimh.org.uk/seeaherbalist/](https://nimh.org.uk/seeaherbalist/?ref=betonica-school-of-herbal-medicine.ghost.io) NHS inform. (2026). Indigestion.[https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/indigestion#about-indigestion](https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/stomach-liver-and-gastrointestinal-tract/indigestion?ref=betonica-school-of-herbal-medicine.ghost.io#about-indigestion) Reiter, P. (2000). From Shakespeare to Defoe: Malaria in England in the Little Ice Age. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 6(1), 1–11\. [https://doi.org/10.3201/eid0601.000101](https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/6/1/00-0101%5Farticle?ref=betonica-school-of-herbal-medicine.ghost.io) Savina, T., Lisun, V., Feduraev, P., & Skrypnik, L. (2023). Variation in phenolic compounds, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of extracts from different plant organs of meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim.). Molecules, 28(8), Article 3512\. [https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28083512](https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/28/8/3512?ref=betonica-school-of-herbal-medicine.ghost.io) Wild Food UK. (n.d.). Meadowsweet. [https://www.wildfooduk.com/wild-plants/meadowsweet-2/](https://www.wildfooduk.com/wild-plants/meadowsweet-2/?ref=betonica-school-of-herbal-medicine.ghost.io) ### Figures Gerard, J. (1597). Meadowsweet (Mede-sweet, or Queene of the Medowes) \[Botanical illustration and text\]. In The herball or generall historie of plantes (p. 886). Internet Archive.[](https://archive.org/details/mobot31753000817749?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com) Steinbach, M. (N.d.). *Meadowsweet tea* \[Photograph\]. Canva.