I was inspired the other day while walking around Golders Green in London, admiring the beauty of the Linden trees. They are among my favourite trees, with their yellow blossoms and delightful honey aroma. Growing up surrounded by these trees, they hold a special place in my heart. In Polish, July is called “Lipiec,” named after the Linden trees (“Lipa”) that bloom abundantly during this month. Since I was born in July, it’s another reason for my fondness!
Medicinal benefits of Lime flowers
The Linden or Lime Flower tree (Tilia europea) is not just beautiful but also a valuable medicinal plant. It is mainly used for supporting the nervous and cardiovascular systems. It is part of the renowned blood pressure-lowering formula called CAT (Crataegus, Achillea, Tilia), which includes Hawthorn, Linden, and Yarrow. While Tilia is hypotensive, it isn’t powerful enough on its own to significantly lower blood pressure, but when combined with other herbs, it becomes very effective. Its sedative and antispasmodic effects help calm nerves, tension, and agitation, which can contribute to high blood pressure. Additionally, these lovely flowers help open up arteries, reduce cholesterol buildup, and protect blood vessel walls.
Tilia is a wonderful remedy for insomnia, headaches, exam nerves, and pain, making it one of my favorite herbs to drink at night. It is gentle, delicate, and tasty, but I don’t recommend drinking too much just before bed as it is a diuretic. It also relaxes the gut, making it beneficial for digestion problems associated with anxiety, such as IBS. In the winter months, it can help with colds and flus, acting as a decongestant and expectorant. Externally, Linden flowers can be used for burns, eye washes, spots, and acne, and you can add them to your bath for a calming effect.
I love Linden as a tea, but for stronger effects, such as managing hypertension, I prefer using the tincture. Just a note: avoid drinking it with meals, as it can block iron absorption. However, the tincture mildly promotes its absorption. Give it a try!