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blowin · Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 12:16 am Post subject: Meadowsweet ( the plant )

I understand that Meadowsweet was once used as animal bedding , particularly when people had to sleep above their cattle . Was this only because of its fairly strong smell or does it also have insecticidal or medicinal properties ?
It grows everywhere around here and since I like the smell I thought I might dry some to put in with the chicken and pig houses .

Camile · Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 10:05 am Post subject:

I've never heard of that and wouldn't even know the plant ..

but would it not be because it's growing everywhere wild ? so they could save the straw for thatching and all ? like you could use rushes for bedding too ..

Just a thought ..

Camile

ron · Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 9:13 pm Post subject:

Hi blowin
For medicinal and other uses try:

http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/meadow28.html

Ron

David · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 180 Location: Co. Clare

Apparently meadowsweet was once used to make hospitals smell nice. Loads of it growing here too. It apparently makes a nice flower wine, which I keep meaning to have a crack at, as the flower smells so good.

MrsL · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:44 pm Post subject:

I have tracked down a recipe for a cordial to try; it's ready for harvesting now, so hope to get to it this week somewhen. Also want to try the wine. Hadn't heard about the bedding, that's interesting. Lots in the ditches around here at the moment.
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Graney · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 81 Location: East Clare

We've got loads of it too. It's a very good indicator of the wetter bits of the land.

When I'm strimming and hit a plant it releases an overwhelming smell of Germolene!

MrsL · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 2:23 pm Post subject:

Blerk - might give the wine a miss then..........

My book said scented like honey!! Confused

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admin · Site Admin Joined: 13 Dec 2006 Posts: 227

Funny honey ! Quite pleasant IMHO but definitely "medicinal" .
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MrsL · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:01 am Post subject:

I made the cordial, and it's very nice, quite honey-like after all. Some in the freezer too.

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