MEADOWSWEET

Eat the leaves of this lovely little plant raw. It has a sweet taste that gets better the more you chew but it’s not to everyone’s taste - a definite marmite foraging plant! It has a very strong smell sweet but if the leaves are crushed - almost medicinal. This goes really well with chocolate and can be made into fantastic syrups and is often used to sweeten wine and champagne. It flowers in summer, beautiful petite white flower clusters and the flowers can be eaten too.
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Grows in meadows (obvs) - can be found in abundance at this time of year. Also riverbanks and damp areas.
Medicinally it can be used for pain relief and inflammation as it contains salicylic acid. Also good for soothing the mucous membranes of the digestive system and very good for an upset stomach. 
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Historically it was one of the three herbs held scared by the Celtic Druid’s. It’s got a romantic past too, often used in a wedding bouquet, thought to bring joy and blessings to a bride! And a key ingredient in love potions apparently. Which makes me love it all the more ❤️❤️❤️
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