Meadowsweet
Other plantsBlodeuwedd, the Woman Born of Flowers
In Welsh mythology, a curse prevented the young hero Lleu Llaw Gyffes from marrying a human woman. To overcome this fate, the magicians Math and Gwydion decided to create a wife for him from flowers.
They gathered flowers of oak, broom and meadowsweet, then brought them to life through magic. Thus Blodeuwedd was born, a woman of extraordinary beauty whose name means ‘flower face’.
But Blodeuwedd fell in love with another man and plotted against her husband. For her betrayal, Gwydion transformed her into an owl, condemned to live in darkness and be rejected by other birds.
Medicinal properties
Flowers and flowering tops
Anti-inflammatory and analgesic: traditionally used to relieve joint and muscle pain, particularly pain associated with rheumatism. Its salicylate derivatives and flavonoids are being studied for their anti-inflammatory activity.
Flowers
Digestive protective herb: traditionally used to soothe gastric irritation, heartburn and digestive discomfort. Its tannins and other polyphenols are being studied for their protective effects on the stomach lining.
Flowers and flowering tops
Fever reducer: traditionally used during feverish illnesses and colds. Its salicylate derivatives are associated with its reputation as a fever-reducing herb.
Recipe
Meadowsweet Flower Cordial
- Plant part
- fresh flowers
- Duration
- 8 to 24 hours of steeping, followed by 5 minutes of boiling
Ingredients
- 100 g fresh meadowsweet flowers (about 30 to 40 flower heads)
- 2 organic oranges
- 2 litres water
- 750 g cane sugar
- One large saucepan with a lid
- Clean glass bottles suitable for hot filling
Preparation
- Harvest meadowsweet flowers in dry weather from a clean area, away from roads and chemically treated ground.
- Leave the flowers in a shaded place for about an hour so small insects can escape. Shake them gently to remove debris.
- Strip the small flowers from their stems. Stems and leaves would give the preparation a more bitter flavour.
- Pour the 2 litres of water into a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the 750 g of sugar and stir until completely dissolved.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat, then add the fresh flowers and thinly sliced oranges.
- Stir gently, cover and steep for 8 to 24 hours in a cool place, ideally overnight.
- Carefully strain through cheesecloth or a fine sieve, pressing the flowers and oranges to recover the liquid.
- Boil the strained liquid for about 5 minutes, then pour it while still hot into clean, preheated glass bottles.
- Seal the bottles, allow to cool and refrigerate. The cordial can be diluted with still or sparkling water.
Sources and references
- Eryri National Park. Blodeuwedd. The legend and the flowers of oak, broom and meadowsweet.
- The Mabinogion. Math the Son of Mathonwy, fourth branch of the Mabinogi. English translation by Lady Charlotte Guest. Internet Sacred Text Archive.
- Christophe Bernard. Reine des prés (Filipendula ulmaria). Althea Provence. Traditional anti-inflammatory, digestive and fever-related uses.
- Herbal Reality. Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria): Benefits, Uses, Safety. Includes a flower cordial recipe.
- Homestead Herbs & Healing. Homemade Meadowsweet Syrup (Cordial). July 14, 2021. Fresh flowers, oranges and cane sugar.
