What pain-killer came from a strewing herb?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
December 10, 2001
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The meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maximowicz) was regarded as sacred by the Druids, but the fragrant herb was probably used since the first humans settled in Europe. It is native to open wet ground and stream banks.
In The Herbal (1633) Gerard writes of meadowsweet, "...that the flowers boiled in wine and drunk, do take away the fits of quartaine ague (chills, fever, and shivering caused by malaria), and makes the heart merry. The leaves and flowers far excel all other strewing herbs, for to deck up houses, to strew in chambers, halls,...the smell thereof...delights the senses..."
Meadowsweet leaves release an almond-like fragrance when crushed. The distilled water of the flowers was recommended to relieve burning and itching eyes. Poultices of the leaves were applied to ease pain in joints and muscles and increase circulation.
In 1839, European chemists isolated salicylic acid from meadowsweet. Its herbal uses were not far from scientific fact. Salicylic acid was an active disinfectant, hence its use as a strewing herb not only made rooms smell better, but helped kill bacteria. It was an effective analgesic (pain-killer), antipyretic (reduces fevers), and anti-inflammatory (reduces swelling). But salicylic acid was irritating to the stomach and never became very popular.
In 1853, Carl von Gerhardt, synthesized the acid with an acetyl group making acetylsalicylic acid. This acetyl group "gentled" the chemical making it less upsetting to the stomach. But von Gerhardt's discovery went unnoticed for 40 years.
In 1893, Felix Hoffman rediscovered von Gerhardt's work. Hoffman found an easier way to synthesize acetylsalicylic acid. He tested it on his severely arthritic father. It was an immediate success. Acetylsalicylic acid was the first medicine to be mass produced and sold in tablet form. Friedrich Bayer and Company named it aspirin, a- for acetyl, and -spirin for Spirea, the original botanical name of meadowsweet.
Belles Fleurs de France has an excellent photograph of meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria).
Click here to view the photograph. 
Series: | 1 | | 2 | | 3 | | 4 |
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~6~~7~~8~~9~~10~~
Suggested Reading:
What pain-killer came from a strewing herb? Herbal Folklore - December 10, 2001
How does a willow protect its leaves? Renfield's Garden - July 18, 2001
A Bitter Plant becomes a Bitter Butterfly Renfield's Garden - July 25, 2001
How were willows used for fevers? Herbal Folklore - March 17, 2003
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