Synonym and areas of application
Meadow goatee (Latin Filipendula ulmari or Herba Filipendulae) belongs to the rose family and is also known as forest beard, meadow queen, spier shrub or meadowsweet. The latter name comes from the fact that the plant was often used as an additive in the brewing of mead (sweet honey wine). So in this case it has nothing to do with “Mädel” in the sense of girl.
The application of mead can be found in the area of chronic pain, fever as well as inflammatory to rheumatic diseases – very similar to drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-rheumatic drugs (NSAIDs), e.g. Aspirin, Diclofenac (Voltaren) or Ibuprofen. Beyond that meadow goatee works also a sweat and diuretic effect awarded. It is also said to have a cleansing effect, as some toxins can be excreted through sweating and urine. Wiesengeißbart can thus be used for example for rheumatism, febrile infections (best with lady’s mantle) and as a painkiller. It should not be used (contraindications) if you have a known allergy to aspirin or if you suffer from stomach ulcers.
Medicinal effect
The effect of the meadow goatee can be characterized as analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory. These effects are based on the compound acetylsalicylic acid contained in the plant. Acetylsalicylic acid (often abbreviated as ASA) is also the active ingredient of the better known drugs Aspirin and Diclofenac (trade name Voltaren and others), which act in the same way in the body.
Specifically, ASA inhibits an enzyme (cyclooxygenase), which in turn produces the so-called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins have different tasks in the body. Important at this point are the triggering of inflammatory processes as well as the enhancement of blood clotting and pain perception.
An inhibition of production, as it is caused by ASA, also dampens inflammation, blood clotting and pain perception. This explains the field of application of the goatee, and also that of aspirin, namely as an anti-inflammatory, “blood thinner” (anticoagulant) and painkiller. As with ASA, it should be noted that excessive use of goatee – regardless of the dosage form – can lead to stomach problems.
This is because some of the prostaglandins described above also stimulate the production of the mucus layer that protects the stomach and simultaneously reduce the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Both are protective mechanisms of the stomach against the caustic hydrochloric acid. If these mechanisms are switched off (also by excessive consumption of goatee), there is a risk of damage to the stomach wall and, as a consequence, so-called “ulcers”, i.e. chronic ulcerous mucous membrane defects in the stomach. In addition, gastric bleeding and even perforation of the stomach can occur. The symptoms are then stomach pain and heartburn.
