Phytotherapy

Meadowsweet

Filipendula ulmaria · Queen of the meadow · Mead wort

Mechanism

The flowers and herb of meadowsweet contain salicylate compounds that are metabolised to salicylic acid. Salicylic acid is a threshold substance under FEI rules with a defined limit. Traditionally meadowsweet is used to support the locomotor system and the gastric mucosa; anti-inflammatory modulating properties have been described in vitro and in animal models. Robust equine studies on clinical endpoints are largely lacking.

Cautions

· FEI: salicylic acid is a threshold substance — observe withdrawal time
· Salicylate-containing — use cautiously in gastric-sensitive horses
· Do not combine with other salicylate-containing plants (e.g. willow bark)

Sources

FEI EPSL 2024FEI Equine Prohibited Substances List — Salicylsäure (Threshold)

PMID:27721054Katanić et al. 2016 (J Ethnopharmacol) — Filipendula ulmaria antiinflammatorisch in vitro/in vivo

PMID:27725238Samardžić et al. 2016 (J Ethnopharmacol) — Antihyperalgesie Filipendula im Entzündungsmodell

Equiterna Score

51/100

limited

Science4.5/10

Practical experience6/10

Safety5/10

Overall score scale

high overall75–100solid55–74limited0–54

How the Equiterna Score is built

The Equiterna Score combines three dimensions into a value of 0-100: science (40%), practical experience (30%) and safety (30%). It is transparently derived from evidence level, attributed sources (PubMed/journals), legal classification and cautions. The FEI doping status is shown separately as a competition-law note and does not enter the score. Commissions and vendor relationships have no influence on the score. In addition, the editorial safety rating caps the result: it limits the safety dimension and the overall tier (orange: at most solid). For entries rated red, no score is calculated at all. The rating never raises anything — a green rating does not lift a calculated value.

An editorial assessment of the evidence and safety situation — not a healing claim and not an individual recommendation. It does not replace veterinary advice.

Dosagetraditionally low-dosed as dried herb/flowers; observe withdrawal time in sport horses

AMG statusComplementary feed

FEI statusControlled (withdrawal) · 168 h

SafetyIncreased caution

Evidenceemerging

Frequently asked questions

Is Meadowsweet a feed or a veterinary medicine for horses?

Equiterna classes Meadowsweet as “Complementary feed”. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009.

Is Meadowsweet allowed at FEI competitions?

In the profile, Meadowsweet is listed with the FEI status “Controlled (withdrawal)”, detection time 168 h. The current FEI list is authoritative, so please check its latest version.

Which dosage do the sources give for Meadowsweet?

Stated in the profile: traditionally low-dosed as dried herb/flowers; observe withdrawal time in sport horses. This is information from the literature, not an instruction for an individual horse.

Which sources are there for Meadowsweet?

The profile cites: FEI EPSL 2024, PMID:27721054, and PMID:27725238.

Usage note

This content is for information and education. It does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment. If your horse shows signs of illness, consult a veterinarian.

“Nothing forced can ever be beautiful.”

Xenophon · On Horsemanship (c. 365 BC)

Equiterna is an intermediary platform for equine knowledge, marketplace and tools — not a veterinary-medicines dealer, veterinary practice or pharmacy. Compound information is source-attributed (PubMed, specialist journals, NRC/GfE, EU regulations) and free of healing claims. Legal framework: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 / TAMG (DE/AT), Feed Regulation (EC) 767/2009, FEI Prohibited Substances List, HWG.

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