Meadowsweet
At a glance
- Best for
- people wanting a traditional herbal remedy for mild dyspepsia or heartburn
- Typical dose
- 2.5–3.5 g dried herb as tea, or equivalent extract, up to a few times daily
- Time to effect
- Hours to days
- Main caution
- Contains salicylates; avoid if aspirin-sensitive or on anticoagulants
What is it
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) is a flowering herb whose aerial parts and flowers contain salicylates (precursors related to aspirin) and tannins. It is traditionally taken as a tea or extract for digestive complaints and minor aches. Modern human evidence is sparse, so most uses rest on tradition and preliminary laboratory data.
Is it worth it for you?
Worth considering if…
- You want a gentle traditional herb for occasional indigestion or heartburn
- You tolerate salicylates and use no blood thinners
Probably skip if…
- You are sensitive to aspirin or take anticoagulants
- You want a remedy backed by controlled human trials
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Evidence | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| mild dyspepsia and heartburn | Mixed Evidence | Unclear | adults with occasional indigestion or mild gastric discomfort | Hours to days |
| minor aches and inflammation | Mixed Evidence | Unclear | adults seeking a mild salicylate-containing herbal for minor discomfort | Hours |
Evidence for 2 uses
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
mild dyspepsia and heartburn
Mechanism onlyMeadowsweet is traditionally used for gastric complaints and contains tannins and salicylates with astringent and anti-inflammatory properties shown mainly in laboratory and animal models. Controlled human trials for dyspepsia or heartburn are essentially absent. Its reputation rests on long-standing folk use rather than clinical evidence.
Bottom line: A traditional digestive herb with plausible but clinically unproven benefit.
minor aches and inflammation
Mechanism onlyThe plant contains salicylate compounds that are mechanistically related to aspirin and may exert mild anti-inflammatory effects. Human analgesic or anti-inflammatory trials are lacking, so the salicylate content is suggestive rather than demonstrated to relieve symptoms. Effective doses and reliability are unknown.
Bottom line: Salicylate content gives a mechanistic rationale, but symptom relief is unproven in people.
How to take it
- Typical dose
- 2.5–3.5 g dried aerial parts steeped as tea, or label-directed extract
- Timing
- With or after meals for digestive use
- With food
- With food
- How long to try
- Short-term, occasional use
What to track
- Heartburn or dyspepsia frequency
- Any stomach upset
- Bleeding or bruising if on other salicylates
Safety
Common side effects
Mild stomach upset
Who should avoid it
- People allergic or sensitive to aspirin/salicylates
- People on anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs
- Asthmatics sensitive to salicylates
- Children and teens with viral illness (Reye's syndrome concern)
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to salicylate content and lack of safety data.
Interactions
Additive salicylate effect may increase bleeding risk
Choosing a product
Look for
- Identified species Filipendula ulmaria
- Specified aerial part or flower
- Standardized or stated extract ratio
Be skeptical of
- Cures ulcers or arthritis
- Natural aspirin replacement
- Detox claims
References by claim
Track Meadowsweet with Pilora
Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.
Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.