F as in Filipendula

Family: Rosaceae

Genus: Filipendula

Species: Filipendula ulmaria

Common names: meadow-sweet, mead wort Swedish name: älggräs, älgört

The Filipendula genus includes 12 species of perennial herbaceous flowering plants native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Filipendula ulmaria is a well-known herbal and medicinal plant. The flowers were commonly used in mead, wine, cordial and herbal remedies. They can be added to stewed fruit and jams, giving them a subtle almond flavor. It has many medicinal properties. Dried, the flowers are used in potpourri. The whole herb possesses a pleasant taste and flavour, the green parts having a similar aromatic character to the flowers. In history it was used as a strewing herb in festive times. The herb was then strewn on the floors to give the rooms a pleasant aroma. The content of salicylates (formally acetylsalicylic acid) and tannins made it a valuable medicinal herb. Treating a wide variety of health conditions and illnesses. The name aspirin is derived from the old name of Filipendula ulmaria – Spiraea ulmaria – which gave rise to the class of drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A common group of painkillers.

Filipendula ulmaria. Photo: John Johnston ©

Description: Filipendula ulmaria is a tall, grand plant with  delicate, graceful, creamy-white flowers clustered close together at the top. It is having a very strong, sweet scent reminding of honey and almond. A more common species used in gardens are Filipendula rubra (Queen-of-the-prairie).

How to grow: Filipendula ulmaria likes moist and may be suitable near a pond or a shady marshy area of the garden. A woodland edge may also work. Native it thrives in ditches along fields and in forest meadows. Seeds can be purchased from well sorted seed companies often specialized on herbal and medicinal plants.

Recipe:

• Meadow-sweet cordial make your own summer drink (non alcoholic), the recipe is like the one of elderflower cordial
• Herbal tea (infusion) a cup of well-doing tea when you caught a cold or have a headache¹

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¹ Disclaimer: Be careful when using herbal remedies since the effects may be uncertain. Since meadow-sweet contains salicylates it can affect the stomach negatively especially in high concentrations. I don´t recommend herbal medicine as a substitute for modern medicine in any way. Always consult the professional health care.

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