Dropwort
StarFilipendula vulgaris
Synonyms: Spiraea gigantea, Spiraea filipendula var. minor, Filipendula vulgaris f. hevesiensis, Spiraea filipendula var. pubescens, Filipendula hexapetala f. pubescens, Filipendula hexapetala var. pleniflora, Ulmaria filipendula var. floreplena, Filipendula filipendula, Ulmaria filipendula, Spiraea filipendula f. apetala, Spiraea filipendulina, Spiraea filipendula, Spiraea vulgaris, Filipendula hexapetala, Filipendula hexapetala f. hevesiensis, Filipendula hexapetala f. glabra, Spiraea filipendula var. vulgaris, Spiraea filipendula glabra, Spiraea vulgaris var. plena, Ulmaria angustifolia, Spiraea tuberosa, Spiraea dasyantha var. pubescens, Filipendula pubescens, Spiraea noeana
Western Herbalism Properties
Gallery
Botanical Description
Filipendula vulgaris (dropwort) is a perennial herbaceous plant of the rose family (Rosaceae), growing from short tuberous rhizomes bearing characteristic spindle-shaped root tubers that resemble small pendulous beads. The plant produces a basal rosette of finely cut, fern-like pinnate leaves with many pairs of deeply toothed leaflets that emit a faint wintergreen scent when bruised, owing to methyl salicylate content. From the rosette arises a sparsely leafed, erect flowering stem 20–50 cm tall (overall plant height to about 100 cm) that terminates in a loose corymbose inflorescence of numerous small, creamy-white, six-petalled flowers, often flushed pink in bud, appearing from late spring to midsummer. The fruit is a cluster of dry, hairy achenes. Native to Europe, western Siberia, Asia Minor, the Caucasus, and North Africa, dropwort favours dry pastures and rough grassland on chalk, limestone, and other base-rich soils, and tolerates drier conditions better than most other members of its genus.
Active Constituents
Gaultherin / methyl salicylate (salicylate derivatives)
Phenolic glycoside / salicylateConcentration: Notable in roots and leaves (source of oil of wintergreen)
Gaultherin releases salicylate on hydrolysis, giving mild anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activity and underpinning the plant's traditional use for rheumatic and febrile complaints.
Flavonoid glycosides (spiraeoside, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, rutin)
FlavonoidsConcentration: Major phenolics of the aerial parts
Provide strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity; spiraeoside (quercetin-4'-O-glucoside) is characteristic of the genus Filipendula.
Free flavonoid aglycones (quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, luteolin)
FlavonoidsConcentration: Present in aerial parts
Contribute additional radical-scavenging and enzyme-modulating activity.
Ellagitannins (rugosins, tellimagrandins) and gallotannins
Hydrolysable tanninsConcentration: Major constituents of upper plant parts
Astringent, antioxidant and gastroprotective polyphenols that contribute to anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects and to the traditional anti-ulcer use.
Catechins and proanthocyanidins (catechin, epicatechin, procyanidins B1/B2/C1)
Flavan-3-ols / condensed tanninsConcentration: Dominant phenolics in some extracts
Add antioxidant and vascular-protective activity to the polyphenol profile.
Phenolic acids
Hydroxybenzoic / hydroxycinnamic acidsConcentration: Minor to moderate
Support the overall antioxidant capacity of the extracts.
⚠ Drug Interactions
Aspirin, other salicylates and anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs
Because the roots and leaves contain salicylate-yielding compounds (gaultherin/methyl salicylate), concentrated preparations could theoretically add to the effects of aspirin or anticoagulants and should be avoided in salicylate-sensitive individuals.
Clinical note: Avoid medicinal doses in people allergic or sensitive to aspirin and use caution alongside anticoagulant therapy; no clinical interaction reports are documented.
Preparation Methods
Root decoction
Parts: roots, tubers
The spindle-shaped root tubers are simmered in water and the strained decoction taken traditionally for kidney and bladder complaints, painful urination and as an astringent; the salicylate-bearing roots were also used for rheumatic pain.
Aerial-part / flower infusion (tea)
Parts: flowers, leaves
Dried flowering tops and leaves are steeped in hot water for about 10 minutes and taken as an anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic and mild analgesic tea, in the manner of the related meadowsweet.
Hydroethanolic extract
Parts: roots, aerial parts
Alcohol-water extraction concentrates the flavonoids, tannins and salicylates studied for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity; used in tincture form. Salicylate-sensitive individuals and children with viral fevers should avoid it.
Clinical Studies
Phytochemical analysis and anti-inflammatory effects of Filipendula vulgaris Moench extracts
Root and aerial-part extracts, rich in salicylates and flavonoids, inhibited COX-1/COX-2 activity, neutralised nitric-oxide radicals and reduced experimentally induced paw oedema, giving experimental support for the folk use of dropwort as an anti-inflammatory.
Historical Texts
John Gerard, The Herball or Generall Historie of Plantes
1597 (Elizabethan England)Nicholas Culpeper, The English Physician / Complete Herbal
1653References
- Katanić J, Boroja T, Mihailović V, et al.. Phytochemical analysis and anti-inflammatory effects of Filipendula vulgaris Moench extracts . Food and Chemical Toxicology (2018) [DOI]
- Katanić J, Mihailović V, Stanković N, et al.. Dropwort (Filipendula hexapetala Gilib.): potential role as antioxidant and antimicrobial agent . EXCLI Journal (2015) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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