Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) loves to grow in damp places, beside ditches, canals and rivers. It is a member of the rose family and produces pretty, foamy white flowers held high on red stems and corrugated dark green leaves. It contains salycylic acid and is a precursor to our modern day aspirin. Unlike aspirin though it can be used to effectively treat heartburn and other digestive problems such as diarrhoea, and it has the ability to regulate acid production in the stomach, thus protecting the lining of the stomach and intestines. Meadowsweet can be used for its pain relieving properties and anti inflammatory action and may be beneficial for easing joint pain in conditions such as arthritis and gout as well as reducing fever symptoms and headaches.
You can make a tea from the flowering plant or try making this delicious cordial:
6 or 8 heads meadowsweet flowers
12 Tbsp water
12 Tbsp sugar
2 lemons – grated and juiced
Bring all the ingredients to a boil and simmer for 8-10 minutes, then strain into a bottle, cool and cork. (Taken from Herbalpedia)
Generally it is advised to avoid taking meadowsweet internally if you are allergic to aspirin or currently taking aspirin, pregnant or under the age of sixteen.