Meadowsweet: Clinical Use. Dosage

Meadowsweet has not been significantly investigated under clinical trial conditions, so evidence is largely derived from traditional, in vitro and animal studies.

SUPPORTIVE THERAPY FOR COLDS

Commission E approval for this condition is based on historical use in well-established systems of medicine, in vitro tests and animal studies.

GASTROINTESTINAL CONDITIONS

Meadowsweet is often used to treat gastrointestinal conditions associated with hyperacidity, such as gastritis, acidic dyspepsia and peptic ulceration. In vivo testing has found a decoction made from flowers of meadowsweet reduced experimentally induced ulcers caused by acetylsalicylic acid. Additionally, it promoted healing of chronic stomach ulcers induced by ethanol. Currently there is no evidence available to confirm an antacid activity.

CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH MILD TO MODERATE PAIN

Based on its significant salicylate content, meadowsweet is also prescribed for conditions associated with mild to moderate pain. However, no clinical study is available to confirm efficacy. Positive clinical evidence does exist for the herb willowbark in these conditions, which similarly contains the important salicylate ingredient ‘salicin’ (see Willowbark).

Meadowsweet: Other Uses

Meadowsweet has traditionally been used as a treatment for diarrhea based on the herb’s appreciable tannin content. It has also been used for conditions associated with mild to moderate pain (most likely due to the herb’s significant salicylate content), fever and inflammation.

Meadowsweet: Dosage Range

As no clinical trials are available to determine effective doses, the following doses are a general guideline.

• Fresh flowers: 2.5-3.5 g/day.

• Fresh herb: 4-5 g/day.

• Infusion: steep 2-3 g in 1 50 mL boiled water for 10 minutes and drink as hot as tolerable.

• Fluid extract (1:1) (g/mL): 2-3 mL/day.