Herbs & Herbal Remedies @ Green Papaya

Meadowsweet gave us aspirin, but don’t expect the herb to do everything aspirin does.

Pain Relief - Meadowsweet does not pack aspirin’s painrelieving, fever-reducing, and anti-inflammatory punch. The herb is low in salicylate, and even strong infusions may not reduce fever or relieve pain. Tinctures provide more salicylate and greater pain relief.

On the other hand, meadowsweet is less likely to cause aspirin’s major side effect, stomach upset. In fact, recent European studies show the herb actually protects experimental animals from aspirin-induced stomach ulcers, a finding that supports the Eclectic observation that meadowsweet is gentle to the stomach.

If you’d rather take an herbal preparation than a pill, try meadowsweet for headache, arthritis, menstrual cramps, low-grade fever, and other pains and inflammations, especially if aspirin upsets your stomach. It might help.

Diarrhea - A European study showed meadowsweet effective against one of the bacteria that cause diarrhea (Shigella dysenteriae), lending some credence to its traditional use for this condition.

Intriguing Possibilities - Aspirin helps prevent the internal blood clots that trigger heart attack. Meadowsweet’s effect on heart disease, if any, has not been researched, but it seems re2sonable to presume the herb may have a similar effect.

One study showed salicin reduces blood sugar (glucose) levels, suggesting possible value in the management of diabetes.

Rx for Meadowsweet

For a pleasantly astringent infusion, use 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried herb per cup of boiling water. Steep 10 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups a day.

In a tincture, take ‘h to 1 teaspoon up to three times a day. Meadowsweet should not be given to children under age 2 or children under 16 suffering fevers from colds, flu, or chicken pox. For other children and people over 65, start with low-strength preparations and increase strength if necessary.