Papaya - a world class meat tenderizer, natural digestive aid, prevents ulcers, and also a soft contact lense cleaner.Meadowsweet The Safety Factor
Recent European animal studies suggest meadowsweet may stimulate uterine contractions. The herb has no history of use as a menstruation promoter, but aspirin has been associated with an increased risk of birth defects, so pregnant women should not use it.
In children under 16 suffering fevers from colds, flu, or chicken pox, aspirin is associated with Reye’s syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal condition. Meadowsweet has never been associated with Reye’s syndrome, but because it’s related to aspirin, parents should not give it to children with fevers caused by those illnesses.
Other Cautions
The Food and Drug Administration lists meadowsweet as an herb of “undefined safety.” For otherwise healthy non-pregnant, non-nursing adults who do not have ulcers or gastritis and are not taking other medications containing aspirin or salicylates, meadowsweet is considered safe in amounts typically recommended.
If meadowsweet causes minor discomforts, such as stomach upset or ringing in the ears, use less or stop using it. Let your doctor know if you experience any unpleasant effects or if the symptoms for which the herb is being used do not improve significantly in two weeks.
Queen-of-the-Meadow
Meadowsweet is a perennial with stems that reach 2 to 6 feet. It has elm-like leaves and large drooping clusters of small coiled white or pink flowers, which bloom throughout summer and have a fragrant, sweet almond aroma. It stands taller and has more striking flowers than most other meadow plants, hence its name queen-of-the-meadow.
Meadowsweet grows wild from Newfoundland to Ohio in marshes, along stream-banks, and in moist forests and meadows. It is best propagated from cuttings of its creeping, perennial, underground stem (rhizome). Meadowsweet does best in rich, moist, well-drained soil under partial shade. Harvest the leaves and flower tops when the plant is in bloom.