Medicinal Monday - Meadowsweet - More than a Pretty Flower

Using plants to treat ailments was highly valued by Native Americans across the country.  Today, people continue to use herbs with medicinal chemicals daily, most of the time not realizing the important role plants have played throughout history in helping to make us feel better. One of these plants used by Native Americans in several interesting ways is Meadowsweet.

About Meadowsweet
Meadowsweet (Filipendula rubra) is native to the northeastern and central United States, and southeastern Canada and belongs to the genus Rosaceae. This plant can grow up to eight feet high and has flowers that vary from white to deep pink. This plant prefers full sun and moist soil but can tolerate drier soil and partial shade as well. The leaves are fernlike and pointy and the sweet-smelling flowers blossom above the leaves. The numerous stamens give the flowers a fuzzy appearance when in bloom during the summer months. This plant has creeping roots so it spreads in an aggressive manner. Interestingly this plant is known for its airborne pollination that is only effective when the pollen is transferred from a different plant.  Bees help with the pollination process.

Medicinal Uses

Native Americans use the root of this plant in traditional medicine for treating heart problems. The root has very high tannin content making it useful as an astringent and for treating dysentery and bleeding. The Meskwaki used the root of Meadowsweet to make a compound that was used as a Love Potion.

Did You Know...

This plant is often called Queen of the Prairie.

This plant was first recorded in Massachusetts in 1875.

Filipendula rubra is considered endangered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, and New Jersey.

The deep pink flower of this plant was given an Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticulture Society, London's leading garden charity in 1993. 

A European member of this plant species, Filipendula vulgaris was used to flavor mead.

Salicylic acid used to make aspirin was first derived from the flowerhead of Filipendula ulmaria.

Many gardeners prize this plant as an ornamental addition to their gardens.