Botanical atlas
White Meadowsweet
Spiraea alba
Long before it carried the tidy name white meadowsweet, this modest wetland shrub was gathered by the Iroquois, Chippewa, and other Native American communities along the marshes and stream edges of the Northeast, who simmered its leaves and roots into teas for fevers, heart complaints, and stomach troubles. Its frothy white flower plumes made it a familiar sight at the edges of wet meadows every summer, easy to spot and easy to reach, which likely made it one of the more commonly used shrubs in everyday household remedies. It belongs to the same rose family as its more famous European cousin, true meadowsweet, and carries something of that plant's soft, hay-like sweetness and gentle traditional reputation as a calming, settling herb.
In tradition.
Long before it carried the tidy name white meadowsweet, this modest wetland shrub was gathered by the Iroquois, Chippewa, and other Native American communities along the marshes and stream edges of the Northeast, who simmered its leaves and roots into teas for fevers, heart complaints, and stomach troubles. Its frothy white flower plumes made it a familiar sight at the edges of wet meadows every summer, easy to spot and easy to reach, which likely made it one of the more commonly used shrubs in everyday household remedies. It belongs to the same rose family as its more famous European cousin, true meadowsweet, and carries something of that plant's soft, hay-like sweetness and gentle traditional reputation as a calming, settling herb.
Traditional preparations.
A mild, old-fashioned infusion traditionally sipped warm for an unsettled stomach or as a comforting after-dinner cup.
Traditionally, a tea is made by steeping 1 teaspoon of the dried leaves and flowers in 250 ml of just-boiled water for 10 minutes, then straining before drinking.
A gentle, cooled infusion that was traditionally splashed or dabbed on the skin as a light, soothing rinse.
Steep 1 tablespoon of dried flowers in 500 ml of just-boiled water for 15 minutes, strain, and let cool completely before applying with a clean cloth.
Safety.
White meadowsweet contains salicylate compounds related to aspirin, so it should be avoided by anyone allergic to aspirin and should not be given to children or teens recovering from a viral illness like flu or chickenpox, due to the risk of Reye's syndrome. It should also be used cautiously with blood-thinning medication and avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Our sister app HerbLens identifies white meadowsweet from a photo and keeps its full botanical portrait: growing guide, harvest notes, and look-alike warnings.
View on HerbLensAsk HerbSense how white meadowsweet is traditionally used and what to know before trying anything at home.
Ask about White MeadowsweetHerbSense shares traditional herbal knowledge for education, not diagnosis or treatment. Herbs can interact with medicines and conditions. Speak with your doctor before acting on anything here, and seek care promptly for anything severe, sudden, or worsening.