Linden Blossom also knows as the Tilia cordata~Lime tree.
In central and Eastern European folklore, the linden tree was believed to be sacred. It symbolized peace, fertility, and prosperity.
Indeed, traditional medicine valued all aspects of the linden tree-flowers, leaves, bark, and even the monofloral linden honey- for their potent therapeutic properties.
The creamy-yellow blossoms have a rich nectar fragrance with a hint of citrus and spice. The tree produces round green fruits that resemble limes and mature in late summer. Linden also is known for its longevity: it can live for hundreds of years.
Benefits:
Traditionally, the honey-scented Linden blossom has been used for its warming, sedative effects. It relieves anxiety and other nervous disorder and tends to lower blood pressure.
It rebalances hormones and reduces fever and headaches.
It also alleviates respiratory problems, loosening mucus, and easing congestion. Linden blossom is a common ingredient in deodorants because of its antibacterial properties.
It is also a natural pesto date for mites. A potent detoxifier, linden blossom, is an excellent addition to any cleansing routine.
Linden has been used to induce sweating for feverish colds and infections, to reduce nasal congestion, and relieve throat irritation and cough. Linden has sedative effects and has been used to treat nervous palpitations and high blood pressure. It has also been added as an ingredient in lotions to relieve itchy skin.
Reduces Stomach Issues
Linden tea contains flavonoids, glycosides, and some essential oils that have antispasmodic properties and bring relief from stomach and intestinal problems and acidity.
Eases Body Pain
Flavonoids like quercetin or salidroside found in linden tea may help in suppressing chronic pain of joints and muscles. Linden tea is recommended to people with arthritis to ease joints and knee pain.
That’s not all. Linden tea provides many other health benefits like supporting cardiovascular health and controlling inflammation inside the body. Even if you are not suffering from any particular health problem, drinking linden tea may be a good practice to bring about general wellness.
There are many ways to use it.
Linden blossom usage:
Burners: add five to six drops of linden blossom absolute to your burner for a calming aroma.
Massage oil: use according to the concentration of the absolute, beginning with just one to two drops per ounce(30ml) of carrier oil.
Cream and lotions: add two to three drops of Linden oil per ounce (30ml) of carrier lotion and revitalize your skin.
You can also add Linden blossom in your soap or candle making.
Linden as a Food
I’ve never eaten Linden myself, but in researching for this article, I ran across several references using Linden as food.
The leaves and flowers can be pounded into a flour that can then be mixed with other starches such as wheat to make baked goods. This was commonly done in Europe during WWII when food was scarce.
The young Linden leaves can be eaten when fresh. I’ve seen recipes that called for Linden leaves as salad greens as well as sandwich toppings. The inner bark is also edible, and the sap can be boiled down into a syrup.
Linden blossom bath (not for use, in case of fever)
For a relaxing and healthy bath, combine 2 handfuls of linden blossom with 1 liter of hot water. Allow the combination to steep for 10 minutes, before filtering and adding the water to a bath.
This bath also provides relief for mild forms of rheumatism and helps calm nervous conditions or “over-excited” children.
It is gentle enough for everyone in the family, making it the perfect herb to call on for kids and parents alike at the end of a stressful or disappointing day.
Linden in Summertime
As a summertime herb, Linden flower and leaf help us to cool down, soothing away the heat of the day and the hyper-reactive heat of seasonal allergies.
Refreshing Linden Summertime 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!
Ingredients
6 teaspoons linden flower and leaf
4 teaspoons spearmint leaf
4 teaspoons lemon balm leaf
4 teaspoons hibiscus flowers
2 teaspoons rose petals
½ gallon of water
Honey to taste
Directions
• Combine all the herbs together in a ½ gallon jar or a pot.
• You can make this tea with boiling hot water or as a sun tea.
• If you are making with hot water, boil the water and then cover the herbs with water. Place a lid on top of the jar/pot and steep for at least 30 minutes before straining.
• If you are making a sun tea, place the herbs in a jar so the sun’s rays can reach them. Cover the herbs with water and place a lid on top of your jar. Set the pot in the sun for 4 hours before straining the herbs out.
• While your tea is still warm, sweeten it with a bit of honey and then let it cool before serving!
This is just a glimpse at this magical, beautiful herb, the Linden Blossom.
~Diadel Kimberlee