Meadowsweet.

Date: Wed, 31 May 1995 20:09:23 -0100
Sender: Medicinal and Aromatic Plants discussion list <HERB.TREARN.BITNET>
From: Henriette Kress <HeK.HETTA.PP.FI>
Subject: Re: those latin names - Filipendula ulmaria

>Anyone know how the following plants might work pharmacologically:
>Spireae ulmaria
>Filipendula ulmeria

Oh yes. Above are both the same plant, Filipendula ulmaria is the name used nowadays. In English it's Meadowsweet, and Aspirin got its name from the older name long ago. So, flowerbuds as tea for headaches and fever, be careful on the dose and steeping time - it tastes REALLY awful if you take too much or let it steep too long, you won't want to see it for about 5 years - I've tried... :^) the dose I take is ½ - 1 teaspoon to 2 dl of boiling water - steep no longer than 5 minutes - this is mild enouth for my tastebuds but still gives some relief. Flowers aren't quite as strong as the buds, and leaves bring up the rear. So you can take more of the flowers (not much, though) and still more of the leaves.

This is one of my favorites, because you get lots and lots and lots in half an hour - enough for a lifetime! which you only do the first year you pick them, next year you'll know you only will need 5 flowerstalks for the whole year... I guess we've all been there... :^)

As a poultice the warm leaves will relieve muscle ache - not over 30 minutes, not over 1 large poultice / 3 small poultices per day if I remember correctly. The poultice is accomplished by almost boiling a lot of leaves in hot water - you use the warm leaves. It's messy, and we only did it once...

Having fun
HeK
(made dandelion syrup and nettle stew this weekend - same again next weekend); )