Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Queen of the Meadow (Filipendula ulmaria), also known as meadowsweet, has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Europe. Historically, it has been applied externally to treat skin infections, wounds, and ulcers. The use is based largely on traditional knowledge, where the aerial parts of the plant are prepared as poultices, washes, or infusions to help soothe inflamed or infected skin. The rationale behind these applications is that queen of the meadow contains salicylates (related to aspirin), tannins, and flavonoids, all of which have mild anti-inflammatory, astringent, and antimicrobial properties. These constituents may help reduce redness, swelling, and the microbial load in minor skin infections, although the mode of action was not scientifically understood in the past.

However, scientific validation for the topical use of queen of the meadow against skin infections is limited. While some in vitro studies have demonstrated mild antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity of its extracts, robust clinical data in humans is lacking. Therefore, the use of queen of the meadow for skin infections remains primarily justified by traditional practice rather than strong modern evidence. It is still used in folk medicine for minor wounds and skin irritations, but should not be relied upon for serious or deep infections where evidence-based medical treatment is indicated.

More about queen of the meadow
More about Skin (infections)

Other ingredients used for Skin (infections)

Other health conditions supported by queen of the meadow

Products containing queen of the meadow