Meadowsweet - beneficial properties and contraindications for use

Meadowsweet (Filipendula) is a flowering plant that grows primarily in fields. It is rightly called the "queen of the meadows" because it blooms with stunning, small white flowers. For a long time, the herb was used as a decorative element, but it soon became clear that the flowers also had a number of health benefits.

Numerous studies show that meadowsweet, thanks to its exceptionally rich composition, can be used to treat many internal diseases, primarily as an effective diuretic and anti-inflammatory agent. However, it should be noted that, in addition to its wide range of beneficial properties, meadowsweet also has significant contraindications. Specifically, its use is strictly prohibited for those with low blood pressure, allergies, and asthma.

Useful properties of meadowsweet

Meadowsweet contains a rich supply of vitamins and minerals that can help improve your health and combat various illnesses.

Chemical composition

Meadowsweet contains a high concentration of beneficial substances. These include:

1. Vitamin C. This element is important for the synthesis of corticosteroid (adrenal) hormones, the reduction of inflammation, and the regeneration and formation of connective tissue.
2. Tannins. They affect the mucous membranes of internal organs. Their impact is particularly pronounced on the bronchi, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract.
3. Phenolic elements. They possess numerous therapeutic properties: expectorant, hemostatic, sedative, etc.
4. Salicylic acid. This substance affects capillaries.

   

5. Flavonoids. These components help relieve inflammation, allergic reactions, and viral infections. They are also very beneficial for the female body, as they activate estrogen production.
6. Catechins. These substances neutralize the effects of free radicals on the body. This reduces the risk of cancer. Catechins also slow down the cellular aging process, helping to prolong the body's youthfulness.
7. Phenolcarboxylic acids. These elements influence gastrointestinal function. Their effects are beneficial for the liver and gallbladder. Phenolcarboxylic acids prevent bile stasis, which is an excellent preventative for gallstone disease.
8. Essential oils. They normalize cardiovascular function, help soothe dry, nagging coughs, and have a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract and skin.
9. Fatty acids. Maintaining normal energy levels, facilitating cell membrane formation, and stabilizing metabolism are the functions these elements perform in the human body.
10. Glycosides. They are essential for the heart, kidneys, and nervous system. These substances have a wide range of actions, including diuretic, antimicrobial, and sedative properties.

Medicinal properties

Meadowsweet's medicinal properties are as broad as its constituent components. Thus, it has the following effects:

• astringent;
• anti-inflammatory;
• hemostatic;
• immunostimulating;
• antioxidant;
• diuretic;
• cardioprotective;
• stimulating;
• antiseptic;
• antiviral;
• antimicrobial;
• adaptogenic;
• antispasmodic;
• choleretic;
• sedative;
• antiallergic;
• antiulcer.

It is these effects that have made this herb one of the most frequently used components in the production of pharmaceutical herbal preparations.

Contraindications and potential health risks of meadowsweet

Although meadowsweet is considered safe for most people, it should not be used to treat:

1. Children under 16 years of age. However, this contraindication only applies to patients with pronounced symptoms of chickenpox, influenza, or acute respiratory viral infections. Meadowsweet tea or decoction may trigger the development of Reye's syndrome in children.
2. Asthmatics. Meadowsweet increases bronchial secretions and also stimulates the smooth muscles lining the bronchial tubes. This increases the risk of asthmatic asphyxia caused by bronchospasm.
3. People with so-called "aspirin-induced" asthma. This is due to the presence of salicylic acid in meadowsweet. Ignoring this contraindication can lead to serious complications such as bleeding, bronchospasm, and anaphylactic reactions.

   

4. Hypotensives. Medications containing meadowsweet have the ability to lower blood pressure. People with chronic arterial hypotension can use such remedies in minimal doses, and only if there is no other treatment for the specific condition.
5. Individuals with an individual intolerance to the substances contained in meadowsweet. If using a decoction or infusion for the first time, a preliminary allergy test is essential. Otherwise, a hypersensitivity reaction may occur, accompanied by dermatitis, urticaria, and gastrointestinal upset.

Recipes and indications for the use of the plant

Meadowsweet treatment must be strictly followed. Each medication prescription specifies a specific dosage, which must be strictly followed.

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How to brew and drink tea

To prepare a medicinal drink, pour 1-1.5 teaspoons of dried meadowsweet flowers into a glass of water that has just begun to boil, but has not yet reached a full boil. Cover the cup with a glass lid and let it steep for 10 minutes.

The finished remedy should be taken all at once, but it should be taken in small sips and slowly. This medicine helps cope with colds and nervous disorders.

Tincture

Meadowsweet tincture is applied externally to slow-healing wounds, trophic ulcers, and infectious and inflammatory skin lesions. Oral administration is beneficial for nervous disorders accompanied by increased excitability and aggression.

To prepare the tincture, add dried meadowsweet flowers to vodka in a 1:5 ratio. Let the mixture steep for at least 5 days, then carefully filter it. Pour the resulting tincture into a dispenser bottle.

Infusion of flowers

Place 2 teaspoons of flowers in a cup or glass and fill to the brim with boiling water. Let the extract steep, covered, for 20 minutes. Then strain it and, if necessary, top up the volume with boiled water.

The resulting mixture is taken 30 ml at a time up to six times a day. It helps treat severe poisoning, including alcohol poisoning. It is also effective against snake bites. It is also used to treat numerous skin conditions, including dermatitis, allergic reactions, eczema, psoriasis, and others.

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Decoction

Meadowsweet roots are used to make a decoction. It is consumed to treat hypertension, indigestion, gout, and kidney problems.

Place the container with the mixture in a double boiler and simmer for half an hour. Then, cool and strain the mixture. Drink 15 ml of the decoction three times daily after meals.

To make a meadowsweet decoction for topical use, add 25 grams of the herb to 1 liter of water. Follow the instructions above. Use as a compress or douche.

Foot bath

Place fresh meadowsweet in a 1-liter saucepan and fill with water to the brim. You can also use dried herbs, but in this case, you'll need more water—up to 3 liters. Place the saucepan over the stove and bring the mixture to a boil. Simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes, then let it steep until it's half-cool. Strain the resulting infusion thoroughly, although this is optional.

Pour the liquid into the bath water. If you used dried herbs, the resulting volume of decoction will be sufficient; no dilution is necessary. Soak your feet in the liquid for 20 minutes, then pat dry thoroughly with a soft towel.

Ointment

This form of the preparation is used externally only. The ointment effectively relieves inflammation and pain associated with rheumatism and dermatological conditions. The remedy is prepared from the rhizomes. Take 20 grams of the rhizomes, grind them into a powder, and mix with 90 grams of high-quality butter. Vaseline or lanolin can also be used.

Mix all ingredients thoroughly. It's important to keep the powder prepared from meadowsweet rhizomes from clumping together. Rub the prepared ointment into the skin over the affected joint.

Oil

To make the oil, you need to take flowers and herbs. The preparation process:

1. Pour 50 g of chopped meadowsweet with olive or sunflower oil so that it covers the herb.
2. Close the container with a lid and place it in a cool, dark place.
3. Infuse for 2 weeks, shaking the jar periodically.
4. After the allotted time, the medicine should be strained well.

Before first use, meadowsweet oil can be warmed slightly in a water bath, but this is not necessary.

Water infusion

An infusion of meadowsweet is used both internally and topically. For example, it's used as a douche to treat vaginal candidiasis in women. Preparation: Brew 4 teaspoons of meadowsweet in 250 ml of boiling water. Place the container in a container of water and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Strain and drink 15 ml three times daily.

The infusion is effective against flu, colds, herpes virus infections, gout, and edema. It can also be used to treat shingles, pancreatitis, and viral hepatitis.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Meadowsweet is a true gift of nature, practically a universal remedy. Its list of therapeutic effects is so extensive that it justifies its popularity in alternative medicine. While the plant has very few contraindications, any restrictions and limitations that do exist must be taken into account and are strongly discouraged.