Filipendula, Meadowsweet

Dropwort, Red Saxifrage, Oenantha

New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563

Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

Two varieties of Meadowsweet
Parkinson, Theatrum Botanicum, 1640

Botanical name:

Filipendula ulmaria (syn. Spiraea filipendula)

Parts used:

Herb, Root

Temperature & Taste:

Cool, dry. Sweet, Bitter
attenuates, binds, discusses

Uses:

1. Clears Stomach Heat:
-Indigestion, Colic
-Hyperacidity, Heartburn, Peptic Ulcer
-Diarrhea in children

2. Clears Wind-Heat:
-Fever, Cold, Flu
-preservative against Epilepsy and Vertigo

3. Clears Damp-Heat, Opens Obstructions:
-Pain and obstruction of the Bladder and Kidneys; Acute cystitis; Edema
-helps expels Stone (Root)
-clears thick Phlegm and ‘tartarous mucilage’ of the Lungs, Reins and Bladder
-Arthritis, Rheumatism, Gout
-Leukorrhea
-adjunct for Tumors and Cancer

4. Kills Worms:
-has been used for Tapeworm

5. Externally:
-Externally for Hemorrhoids
-eye drops for burning and itching eyes

Dose:

Infusion: 1 teaspoonful (4–6 grams), 3 times daily
Tincture (1:5 in 45%): 2–4mls

Main Combinations:

1. Cystitis:
i. Filipendula with Barley, Couch grass
ii. Filipendula with Violet
2. Gastrointestinal Ulcers:
i. Filipendula with Licorice
ii. Filipendula, Calendula, Yarrow, Licorice
3. Stones, Filipendula, Acorus root, Saxifrage with roots (The Practise of the New and old Phisicke, Gesner, 1599)
4. Gout, Filipendula with Burdock root
5. Phthisis, Filipendula with Gentian (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)
6. Scrofula and Tumors:
i. Filipendula with Figwort, Cinquefoil, Agrimony, Pilosella (as in Electuary of Figwort of Avicenna)
ii. Filipendula with Guaiacum, Walnut rind, Dock root, Hound’s Tongue, Raisins (Ale Against Scrofula, Fullers)
7. Tumors:
i. Filipendula with Elecampane
ii. Filipedula, Hyssop, Agrimony, Figwort
8. Cancer:
i. Filipendula with Angelica, Burdock, Elecampane, Gentian, Herb Robert, Sage (as in Cancer Ale 1, Fullers)
ii. Filipendula with Guaiacum, Sarsaparilla, Walnut bark, Herb Robert (as in Cancer Ale 2, Fullers)
9. Ulcerated Cancer, Filipendula with Black Nightshade, Sorrel, Figwort, Agrimony with Alum and Camphor topically (as in Drying Water)

Cautions:

Avoid overdose