Linden Flower - Tillia spp.
Linden Monograph
Scientific Name: Tilia spp. The most well-known medicinally are T. cordata, T. americana, T. platyphyllos
Family: Malvaceae Varieties: 30 known (and 80 cultivated) species with varying medicinal qualities.
Taste: Sweet, slightly bitter. Energetics: Aromatic, cool, moist
Parts Used: Young leaves, buds, and flowers. Bark, sap, and leaves have also been used as food (Forêt, 2015).
Actions: Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, anxiolytic, astringent, cardio-tonic, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient, hypotensive, nervine, stomachic, vasodilator, vulnerary.
Constituents: Flavonoids (quercetin, hespiridin, kaempferol, rutin), mucilage (arabino-galactans), volatile/essential oil (farnesol, linalool, geraniol, eugenol, camphor, carvone, citral, citronellol, limonene), phenolic acids (caffeic acid), phytosterols (β-sitosterol).
Harvesting: Linden Trees flower for two weeks sometime between May and July. Trees begin flowering at about 15 years of age and continue throughout the life of the tree. The actual flowering period depends on location and year to year weather conditions. At any given point during the two-week flowering period, a single tree will possess flowers at all stages of development hanging downward from leaf stalks. The best time to gather linden flowers is right after they open. The flowers quickly fade, and they will only have peak fragrance (and taste) for just a few days. Since the flowers open over a two-week period, you may need to make several trips back to the same tree for your linden flower harvest. Linden flowers can be used fresh, provided they are used immediately. They will only last about 24-48 hours after harvest, so it’s best to begin drying them immediately for storage. Avoid drying them in your oven, which will drive off much of their delicate flavor. Lay them out on screens and allow them to dry for a few days, ideally with a small fan to help with air circulation.
Uses: “Linden has been found to shorten the duration of infectious viral conditions. It is a relaxing remedy for nervous tension and prophylactic against the development of arteriosclerosis and hypertension. Animal research has shown linden to protect against stress-induced ulcers and act as an anti-stress remedy. It specifically decreases adrenal enlargement and possesses corticosteroid-sparing effects in rats under stressful conditions. Linden is useful for hypertension and palpitations due to stress.” (Tilgner, 61).
Linden gives counsel to a heavy heart and reminds us that we can always call upon the support of our communities, roots reaching into the earth, branches touching. We can lift the weight of the world from our shoulders with simpers rituals; a cup of tea, a sunset walk, stopping to smell a flower, calling a friend. Rituals create emotional pathways showing us the way out. Linden embodies healthy attachment. The flowers use the bract part of the leaf to stabilize and move to new ground.
Dosage & Preparation: Pour 8 oz. just boiled filtered water over 1 Tbsp dried leaves/flowers or 2 Tbsp fresh flowers. Steep for 10- 30 min and drink 1-3 c/day. You can also make a cold infusion by pouring room temperature water over leaves/flowers and letting slow steep overnight. Drink cool in the morning for a refreshing start to the day. As a fresh or dried tincture, take 1 dropperful 1-3 times a day. Young leaves in the spring can be enjoyed as a salad green.
Contraindications: Generally considered to be a safe herb. Preparations made from flowers that are old may cause issues included symptoms of narcotic intoxication (Grieves). Linden may rarely cause an allergic reaction in the form of contact dermatitis or allergic rhinitis.
Pairs well with:
Nervous system: Damiana, Lemon Balm, Oat, and Licorice Anxiety: Hops, Passionflower, Rose
Cardiovascular System: Hawthorne berry, leaf & flower, Motherwort
Digestion: Marshmallow, Tulsi, Cardamom, Chamomile
Sore Throats: Marshmallow, Licorice
Colds: Lemon Balm, Elderberry
Headaches: Wood Betony, Feverfew
Fever: Elder flower, Yarrow
Topical: Chamomile, Marshmallow leaf and root, Rose, Lavender
Linden Recipes
Gentle Relaxation Tea Blend
1 Tbsp. Linden flowers
1 Tbsp Oatstraw
1 Tbsp Wood Betony
1 Tbsp Rose or Lavender
Add all herbs to 4 cups just boiled water. Steep 15-20 minutes. Strain, add honey if desired. Sip slowly while taking deep breaths to calm the nervous system, unwind after a long day or soothe a troubled friend.
Rebecca’s Yin Time Tea Blend
Spearmint, Linden, Catnip, Skullcap and Chamomile
Sip tranquility with this beautiful and delicious aromatic blend. Delightful anytime but especially enjoyed in the evenings to promote a sense of relaxation and wellbeing.
Add 1 Tbsp. of tea blend per cup of just boiled water. Let steep 10-20 minutes. Strain and enjoy.
The Sweetness of Summer Iced Tea
Brew this tea to drink on a hot summer day and serve over ice! You can also blend it with some fruit such as peaches or berries and freeze into tasty popsicles!
4 Tbsp Linden flower and leaf
1.5 Tbsp Spearmint
1.5 Tbsp Lemon balm leaf
1.5 Tbsp Hibiscus flowers
1 Tbsp Rose petals ½
gallon of water
Honey to taste
Combine herbs together in a gallon jar or pot. Pour just boiled water over the herbs and steep for 15-30 minutes. Or make as a sun tea, place herbs in jar with water in a sunny place. Let them sit in the sun for 4 hours before straining the herbs out. Sweeten with honey and let cool before serving. Add ice if desired or put in blender with frozen fruit and pour into popsicle molds.
Linden Limeade
1 cup fresh squeezed lime juice (10-20 limes)
1 cup raw honey to taste
6 cups water
8 Tbsp. dried Linden flowers/leaves
4 sprigs mint, lime slices or cucumber slices for garnish
In a saucepan, combine water and honey. Heat until the honey dissolves completely in the water. Add Linden flowers, cover and let steep for 30 minutes. Juice limes. Once Linden/honey infusion has cooled add lime juice and add more water or adjust sweetener to taste. Mix well. Serve over ice and garnish with mint sprigs, lime slices or cucumber slices.
Cold & Flu Tea Blend
1 teaspoon Linden leaf/flower
1 teaspoon Yarrow flower
1 teaspoon Elder flower
1 teaspoon Peppermint or Ginger
Add herbs to 1 cup just boiled water. Double or triple as desired. Let steep, covered for 10-20 minutes. Keep tea hot if possible. Drink under the covers or in a bath to encourage sweating. Best taken at the beginning of cold and flu symptoms to move the infection through the body and shorten the duration.
Hot Flash Tea
1 oz Linden
1 oz Borage
1 oz Chamomile
.50 oz Marshmallow Root
.50 oz Hibiscus
Combine herbs together. Use 1 Tbsp per cup of just boiled water. Steep for 15-30 minutes. Drink room temperature up to 4 cups daily to lessen the effects of Hot Flashes during perimenopause.
Linden Blossom Syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 cup Linden blossoms
2 Tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
Boil an equal amount of sugar and water together until it thickens into a syrup. Once the simple syrup is ready, pour into a bowl and add the flowers and lemon zest. Stir and let sit overnight or at least a few hours to allow the flowers to infuse into the syrup. Strain the flowers before using. Add to soda water, pour on top of cake, ice cream or frozen berries.
Linden Cordial
16 oz Brandy or vodka
1 cup Linden leaf/flower
1 cup Honey
Add all ingredients together in a glass jar. Let infuse for 4 weeks. Shaking occasionally and adding more alcohol if the herbs have absorbed any. Strain through muslin cloth. Sip cordial after dinner or during the evening to encourage feelings of relaxation. Pair with cranky adults who need help integrating a long, stressful day.
Soothing Floral Bath
Handful each of Linden, Rose petals, Chamomile, Marshmallow leaf/flower
Add herbs to gallon jar, fill with just boiled water. Let steep for 30 minutes. Pour into bathtub. Add water to desired level. Herbs can also be placed into a muslin bag and then placed in the filled bathtub. A soothing bath for any skin irritation; bug bites, rashes, chicken pox, etc. If the skin is extremely irritated, make sure the bath temperature is not too hot.
Linden Facial Toner
3 Tbsp dried Linden
4 oz Witch Hazel
4 oz Aloe Vera Juice
Place herbs in glass jar. Pour witch hazel and aloe vera juice over herbs and lid. Let sit for 2-4 weeks shaking daily. Strain through muslin or cheesecloth and store in a spray bottle. Apply daily to face before moisturizer to moisturize and tone skin tissue.
Linden Body Oil ¾
1 cup Linden flowers
1 cup Olive, Sunflower, Jojoba or Fractionated Coconut Oil
Put ingredients together in a pint-sized glass jar and let infuse for 2-4 weeks, shaking occasionally. Strain through muslin cloth.
Essential Oils to pair with: Jasmine, Rose, Lemon, Lime, Tangerine, Orange, Patchouli, Lavender, Cedarwood, Vetiver. Add 50-80 drops total of essential oils for a delightful and nourishing body oil.
Dream Pillow
Fill a muslin bag or small pillow with any combination of the following herbs: Linden, Mugwort, Rose, Lavender, Calendula, Chamomile, Shatavari, Blue Lotus
Linden blossoms can also be cooked into cakes, bread, French toast, cookies, or any recipe where you would use Lavender.
Sources:
Herb Girls Athens Blog
Medicine from the Heart of the Earth by Sharol Tilgner
A Modern Herbal by Grieves
The Herbal Academy Monograph: Linden
Earthwise Herbal: A complete guide to old world medicinal plants by Matthew Wood https://practicalselfreliance.com/foraging-for-linden
