Meadowsweet - Filipendula ulmaria

We were in a class last week, where our teacher was discussing the zodiac man, astrology and herbs.  It was really fascinating.  I really don’t know a lot about astrology other than I’m a Virgo and my husband is a Gemini and we are both ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication and if Mercury goes retrograde, communication seems to break down. Well, I had to know more and there is so much information!   Basically, herbal medicine was linked to astrology by early herbalists.  Anyone who has read the farmers almanac remembers the man where different zodiac signs like Virgo ruled the intestines and Gemini the lungs.  Each planetary sign was linked to a part of the body, and what I learned  was that each planetary sign also has different herbs associated with it.   So we looked to see what planetary sign we were in and it’s Gemini and then we looked at the plants and there it was Meadowsweet.  My friend Cheryl, and I have been  discussing the duality of Meadowsweet.  Filipendula ulmaria and Spiraea.  Which works better on acid reflux?    Some herbalists say that the Filipendula is better and they have seen no results with Spiraea,  Really?  I thought that I was seeing results so I had to find out.  Maybe my clients weren’t telling me.  But then I realized that I tinctured all of the Spiraea and had dried the Filipendula.  I called clients to see if the tincture was working and was informed that it is, not only for acid reflux but some had discovered that it was good for headaches as well.  Well, yes, it does have those aspirin-like chemicals.   The Filipendula was put into my teas for an after meal beverage and I called these clients.  It’s a miracle they tell me.  So here we have two plants, both bearing the same common name doing the same job.  But I wonder how the Spiraea would work as a tea? When I suggested changing the tea or the tincture to my clients, they did not want any part of the experimentation.  What they have works so leave it alone.  I can understand this so respect their wishes, so we will just leave it alone.  I would experiment on me or Tom, as I always do but we do not suffer from GERD.  I guess I just have to wait for that one client who will be willing to try. 

  We actually have three meadowsweets here at Greenwood. 

 ,                     

Filipendula Ulmaria                  Spiraea Ulmaria                   Filipendula Vulgaris (dropwort). 

And yes, for those of you who care…  it is on the test!   

 

 

Meadowsweet is one of the best digestive remedies of herbal medicines in my opinion.  It is an excellent example of a digestive tonic.  First, let’s explain what a tonic actually is.  Tonics are substances provided by nature for the repair and maintenance of a normal human body.  They restore balance to the body systems that are under stress.  They do not stress the body, but by  themselves are suitable for long-term use in small doses.  Tonics differ from most medicinal substances in being bi-directional in action.  They correct illness-promoting imbalances, independent of the particular nature of the cause.  They contain a wide variety of active principles, which may possess opposing actions on a particular body system.  Yet, rather than cancel each other out, these actions are brought into play only where and when they are needed, actually responding to the changing state of the organism. This is what Meadowsweet will do with excess acid or excess alkaline.  Balancing the levels.  We have found that Meadowsweet works best for GERD, Acid Reflux.  It balances the acidic and the alkaline levels in the digestive system.  A lot of people who are suffering from what they think is excess acid is actually excess alkaline.  They do not know the symptoms or the signs to tell the difference.  The worst thing they can do is eat antacids to suppress the acid that they are not producing.  Meadowsweet soothes the mucous membrane of the digestive tract and eases nausea.   The aspirin-like chemicals (salicylates) explains why it works on headaches, helping to reduce fever and relieving the pain of rheumatism in muscles and joints.    If you are sensitive to aspirin, you should avoid taking meadowsweet.  That means asthmatics who are sensitive to aspirin—be aware. 

Other Uses:  The whole plant, but especially the leaves was used as a strewing herb, emitting an almond-like fragrance. 

 

Classes/Events:  . 

Makeup class for the apprenticeship is scheduled for June 7th.  If there are those who missed the first class and would still like to join the apprenticeship program, this is your last chance.  Class begins at 10 AM.

All Day Plant Id Walk is scheduled on June 24th for Apprentices.  See Debbie for details. 

Proposed class on making your own Hydrosols.  Date and time to be announced sometime in June.  

REMINERALIZING SOUP - for one generous serving

One medium potato

One small to medium onion

Three stalks of asparagus

A double handful of nettle tops

About seven tops of apple mint

Celtic sea salt or herb salt to taste

Scrub the potato and peel the onion. Cut the potato into smallish wedges and slice the onion and cook in a cup or so of water. When cooked [ but nit soft and mushy] tip in the nettles and mint. Stir till wilted then tip the whole works into a strong blender, and whiz into a thick, fragrant soup. Add salt to taste.

If blender is not strong, chop the nettles and mint first.

 Submitted by:  Jane Kuntz

 

 

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