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Limited evidenceJoints & skin

Meadowsweet

The plant that gave aspirin its name, containing salicylate precursors. Despite the chemistry and centuries of use for aches and stomach complaints, there are no human trials at all.

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What the science says

  • Pain and inflammation Limited evidence

    A laboratory study of Filipendula ulmaria constituents and their gut metabolites found anti-inflammatory activity in cell-based assays. No randomized or controlled human trial of meadowsweet for pain, arthritis or inflammation is indexed in PubMed.

  • Stomach and digestive use Limited evidence

    An in vitro study of phytotherapeutics found activity against Helicobacter pylori among the extracts tested. Test-tube antibacterial activity says nothing about whether drinking the tea helps gastritis, and this has never been tested clinically.

  • Salicylate content Limited evidence

    Meadowsweet contains salicylaldehyde and methyl salicylate glycosides, which is the basis for the traditional analgesic reputation. The quantities in a normal tea or capsule dose are far below an analgesic dose of aspirin.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseNo studied dose. Traditional preparations use 2.5–3.5 g of dried flowering herb as a tea, up to three times a day; extract capsules typically supply 300–500 mg.
SafetyContains salicylates, so avoid it if you are allergic to aspirin, and do not give it to children or teenagers with a viral illness because of the theoretical Reye's syndrome risk. It may add to the effect of anticoagulants and NSAIDs. Avoid in asthma with aspirin sensitivity, and in pregnancy.

How to take it

TimingTaken when symptoms need it rather than on a schedule.
With food?Take it with food — salicylates irritate the stomach lining, which is the same reason aspirin is taken with food.
Worth knowingDo not give it to children or teenagers with a fever or viral illness, for the same Reye's syndrome reason aspirin is avoided in that group.

Interactions

With medications

  • warfarin and other anticoagulants

    Meadowsweet's salicylates add antiplatelet activity on top of anticoagulation and raise bleeding risk. do not combine without medical supervision

  • aspirin and NSAIDs

    Additive salicylate load and additive stomach irritation. do not combine, and avoid entirely if you are aspirin-sensitive

  • methotrexate

    Salicylates reduce methotrexate clearance and can raise it toward toxic levels. do not combine without medical supervision

With other supplements

  • willow bark, high-dose fish oil, garlic and ginkgo

    Additive antiplatelet effect and bleeding risk. do not stack, and stop before surgery

Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.

Frequently asked questions

Is meadowsweet a natural aspirin?

Meadowsweet contains salicylate precursors and gave aspirin its name, but the amounts in a normal tea or capsule are far below an analgesic dose of aspirin. No human trial has tested meadowsweet for pain, so any painkilling effect is unproven.

Does meadowsweet help stomach problems or gastritis?

The evidence is limited to a test-tube study showing activity against Helicobacter pylori. Whether meadowsweet tea helps gastritis in people has never been tested clinically.

Can I take meadowsweet with aspirin or blood thinners?

No: meadowsweet's salicylates add to the bleeding risk of warfarin and other anticoagulants and to the stomach irritation of aspirin and NSAIDs. It can also raise methotrexate levels, so do not combine meadowsweet with these drugs without medical supervision.

Who should not take meadowsweet?

Avoid meadowsweet if you are allergic or sensitive to aspirin, have aspirin-sensitive asthma, or are pregnant. Do not give meadowsweet to children or teenagers with a fever or viral illness because of the theoretical Reye's syndrome risk.

Scientific references

Related in Joints & skin

Herbal medicines: what the evidence says (335)