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Linden (Tilia cordata) is the herb of the month. It is a plant that everyone who knows it comes to adore because it’s so lovely, sweet, juicy, fragrant, and relaxing. And it’s good for our hearts, both physically and metaphysically (as you can infer from its heart-shaped leaves and Latin name). With American Heart month and Valentines Day coming up in February, I can’t think of a more appropriate herb to highlight.

BOTANICAL NAMES: Tilia europaea, T. cordata, T. platyphyllos, T. americana

COMMON NAME(S): Linden flower, Lime blossom, Basswood, Linn Flowers, Spoonwood, Tilden Flower, Bee tree, Whitewood, Lime tree.

FAMILY: Tiliaceae

DESCRIPTION: a large deciduous tree, growing up to 130 feet tall with a trunk diameter usually of 2 to 3 feet, and a rounded crown. The flowers are intensely sweet and fragrant and beloved by bees. When in bloom, bees forsake most other flowers. The honey that bees make from linden nectar is regarded as some of the best honey in the world.

The leaves are heart-shaped and shiny. The bark is furrowed, and the wood is soft and light in color. It is easily carved and was used historically to make ship’s figureheads, broom handles, beehives and to make parts of instruments.

HISTORY/FOLKLORE:

The Green Dryads or tree spirits were said to be wedded to Linden trees
In Roman mythology the Linden was a symbol of conjugal love and fidelity
Hildegard of Bingen used a talisman made of a green stone and lime flowers wrapped in a spider web to ward off the plague.
In “the old days” in Germany, nearly every village had a green with linden trees where people gathered to decide business (possibly due to Linden’s calming effects)
In the Pyrenees Linden is used to soothe spasms and excitement. The Ancients knew of Linden’s antispasmodic effects and used it for convulsion and epilepsy, as well as for all “nervous distempers” , fever and hyperactivity in children (Matthew Wood)

PARTS USED: Flowers and leaves primarily.

ACTIONS AND PROPERTIES: Nervine, antispasmodic, hypotensive, diaphoretic, diuretic, antioxidant, demulcent, anti-inflammatory, emmenagogue, astringent, nutritive

CONSTITUENTS: volatile oils, flavonoids (antioxidants) including quercetin, coumarin, mucilage, minerals, tannins, sugars, steroidal saponins, terpenes, vitamin C, amino acids, resins

ENERGETICS AND TASTE: Sweet, moist, cool, slightly sour and astringent

TISSUE STATES: Linden is balancing to heat, dryness and tension

USES:

Historical uses for Linden include: Appetite loss, Arrhythmia, arteriosclerosis, beverage, bladder problems, bleeding, burns (minor), cancer, colds, cough, diarrhea, dietary supplements, ear infection, epilepsy, fever, flavoring agent, gallstones, gargle/mouth rinse, gastrointestinal problems, gout, halitosis (bad breath), headache, hyperactivity, hypertension (mild/moderate), hysteria, indigestion, influenza, insomnia, irritability, kidney stones, laryngitis, menstrual problems, migraine, mucus, nervous conditions, night sweats, pain respiratory conditions, scurvy, skin problems, sore throat, sores, spasmodic conditions, tumors, vomiting, and wounds (minor).

Linden is primarily a relaxing remedy, used for nervous tension. Its relaxing effect on the nerves combined with its vasodilating effect on the blood vessels makes it a valuable ally in lowering blood pressure. It is considered a specific remedy in cases of raised blood pressure associated with arteriosclerosis and nervous tension and can be used to prevent arteriosclerosis and hypertension. Animal studies indicate that linden has anti-stress, sedative, and hypotensive (blood pressure lowering) effects. (American Botanical Council).

Its general relaxing action combined with an effect upon the circulatory system give Linden a role in treating some forms of migraine. It also protects the stomach against stress-induced ulcers. It has been shown to decrease adrenal enlargement and possess corticosteroid-sparing effects in rats under stressful conditions. As a diaphoretic, it induces a sweat and helps to resolve a fever. (Hoffman)

Herbalist Matthew Wood writes “It is suited to symptoms of kidney heat and irritation, including increased blood volume, essential hypertension, orthostatic hypertension, moist, warm skin, congestion of the kidneys, scanty, dark urine, and edema. It is cooling enough to work on herpes. The tongue calling for Linden flower is usually red, sometimes flame-shaped and usually somewhat moist.” (Wood)

Larger doses are used to promote restful sleep. The soothing mucilage provides an anti-inflammatory effect on mucus membranes in the digestive, respiratory and urinary systems.

Other Uses per Matthew Wood:

Restlessness, hyperactivity, insomnia
Nervousness, panic attacks and anxiety
Nervous headache, migraine and dizziness, neuralgia
Convulsions in children
Influenza, fever, colds, coughs, mucus in the trachea and lungs
Indigestion, nervous vomiting, painful digestion, colic, diarrhea.
Heart palpitation, cramp
Arteriosclerosis and hypertension associated with nervous tension
Dark, scanty urine, edema
Pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine pain, bearing down sensations, inflammation of the genatalia
Fever with profuse sweat that does not relieve.
Fever, chills, shivering, profuse sweat with no relief from fever
Pain associated with heat, irritation and spasm.
Itching, burning, eruptions, sores, herpes, shingles (external, the bark is beaten to soft fiber, simmered in cream, milk or milk and water, to make a soothing poultice)

CONTRAINDICATIONS / CAUTIONS:

Elisabeth Brooke gave this warning: Lime flowers act as a powerful sedative which when kept for over a year, has a narcotic effect. Therefore, strong doses of lime flower should be treated with respect and [one] should not operate heavy machinery or drive a car after taking them. Even so, if you take doses greater than those suggested, they are not dangerous. You will just fall asleep.

I have definitely used linden that I found stashed in the back of the cabinet that was over a year old and did not notice a strong hypnotic effect myself. There are also warnings about pregnant women avoiding linden due to its emmenagogue effect, but this is also a theoretical contraindication. Linden was not listed for any contraindications/concerns in Michael Moore’s book “Herbal/Medical Contraindications.”

PREPARATION AND DOSAGE:

Tincture dosage is 2.5 to 5 ml three times a day (1:5 in 40%).
Infusion preparation, pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 teaspoon of blossom and infuse in a covered container for 10 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.
For a diaphoretic effect in fever, use 2 to 3 teaspoons of blossoms per cup of water. (Hoffman)

PLANT SPIRIT/FLOWER ESSENCE AND / OR HOMEOPATHIC INFORMATION:

Calming emotional turmoil (Woodland Essences)

Linden from Delta gardens flower essences:

Provides angelic relief to deep worry and anxiety.
Steadies the “high-strung” or overexcited psyche.
Helps balance cycles of work, play and rest.

COMBINATIONS:

For atherosclerosis, combine linden with hawthorn and/or garlic (Hoffman)
For hypertension, combine with cramp bark and skullcap (Hoffman)
For nervous tension and insomnia, combine with hops
For fever, combine with elderflower

REFERENCES:

Brooke, Elisabeth, An Astrological Herbal for Women, The Crossing Press, 1995.
Hoffman, David, Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine, Healing Arts Press, 2003.
Rayburn, Debra, Let’s Get Natrual with Herbs: The Most Complete A-Z Reference Guide to Utilizing Herbs for Health and Beauty, Ozark Mountain Publishing, 2007.
Wood, Matthew, The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants, North Atlantic Books, 2008.
nysite.com/nature/flora/page/basswd.htm
http://www.deltagardens.com/ne_trees/linden.htm
American Botanical Council. http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbalgram/issue51/article2318.html http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbclip/283/review44196.html
gov. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20085187
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18688792
University of Maryland Medical Center. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/linden-000263.htm
A Modern Herbal. M Grieves. http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/l/limtre28.html
Susun Weed. http://www.herbshealing.com/herbal_ezine/March07/healingwise.htm
Garden Guides. http://www.gardenguides.com/79632-harvest-linden-flowers.html
Delta Gardens. http://www.deltagardens.com/ne_trees/linden.htm
Scents of Balance. http://www.scentsofbalance.com/products/flower_essences.htm
An Elder’s Herbal. David Hoffman.
The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal. David Hoffman
Michaels Moore’s Website.
- http://www.swsbm.com/Dispensatory/USD-1918-complete.pdf
- Herbal/Medical Contraindications. Michael Moore.
Sharol (N.D) http://www.herbaltransitions.com/materiamedica/Tilia.htm
Oklahoma Biological Survey. http://www.biosurvey.ou.edu/shrub/tiamx.htm
The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism. M Wood

This Article is for education purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. They are not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

Tisanes are herbal teas. Also called herbal infusions, these drinks are not technically “tea” because they do not contain Camellia sinensis– the plant used to make true teas like black, green and white tea.
Tisanes can be made from dried leaves, flowers, fruits, barks, roots and seeds–like chamomile, lemon balm, rose petal, mint and ginger. Flavors vary from sweet, sour, aromatic, bitter and astringent Many herbal tisanes have a relaxing effect and are loaded with antioxidants. They do not contain caffeine.

Speaking of caffeine, I am currently on day 4 of a no-sugar, no caffeine detox and am boy am I dragging! But that just goes to show how much I have been relying on these two substances to give me instant energy to get through my busy life. I knew about the dangers of sugar and caffeine. I regularly teach classes about the physiological impact of these substances, and here I am, witnessing how exhausted my body really feels beneath the surface of the constant go, go, go. The Chinese say that coffee steals energy from tomorrow to use today. It depletes one’s kidney qi, or vital energy reserves. I knew this, but like so many of us I didn’t feel that I had a choice if I was to keep going to make money and try to maintain improve my life for me and my children.

This solstice I am making it a priority to stay out of fight-or-flight mode (stress mode). Stress can be subtle, especially when it is so normalized. Even a “normal” amount of daily worry about money, chores, or getting ready for the holidays depletes our vital energy reserves.

As we enter the darkest time of the year, we are invited to surrender to the unknown. Lay down our burdens. Trust in a greater power to take care of what is most important and let the rest go so that you can rest and replenish. ‘Tis the Season for Replenishment. And relaxing herbal tisanes can help!

Here are a few of my favorite relaxing brews for snuggling up on a wintry day:

Chamomile-Spice Hot Toddy

Heart-Warming Tea

Happy Hour Tea

Hibiscus Berry Tea

Herbal Allies to Support relaxation, replenishment and surrender:

	Tulsi – also called Holy Basil. This aromatic adaptogen is relaxing, uplifting, warming and antiviral. It also strengthens our adrenal glands and helps to keep our bodies in parasympathetic (“rest & digest”) mode. It is a beloved herb in Ayurvedic medicine where it is considered a nervous system tonic. It is a great tasting tea on its own, and it pairs well with the other herbs listed below.
	Hawthorn – a calming nervine & cardiovascular tonic in the rose family. Rose and hawthorn have a lot of similarities. Hawthorn and rose are both gentle, relaxing, heart-opening and taste lovely. The berries yield a sweet and sour flavor while the leaves and flowers are light and aromatic. Flowers should only be steeped for 5-10 minutes or they will become bitter. Read more about Hawthorn here
	Chamomile – this well-known flower is tiny but mighty. Its is soothing and mildly sedating action helps to relieve teething pain, irritation, sleep troubles, tension headaches, stomach aches and general crankiness. It soothes the nerves and the GI tract. Its aromatic and bitter qualities improve digestion and strengthen the enteric nervous system (i.e. the nerves in our abdomens). It is also antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory.
	Oats – yes, the common oat that makes oatmeal can be used to make a deliciously sweet & delicate tea that is loaded with essential nutrients like silica, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, vitamins B & A. Oats are a nervous system tonic capable of repairing damage to the myelin sheath which covers the nerve fibers. They have a reputation for strengthening the nervous system and can be used to treat depressed or anxious states of mind. The minerals they provide offer a grounding effect while strengthening the hair, nails & bones. Use either the straw or the immature dried tops for tea and be sure to steep them for several hours to extract all of the minerals.
	Passionflower – Passionflower calms the nervous system, improves mood and relieves anxiety. It is one of our favorite herbs for supporting sleep. As a sedative and hypnotic, it helps with the transition into sleep. It quiets a racing mind and helps to break circular and repetitive thought patterns that may be keeping you up at night. Its ability to tone down mental chatter makes it an ally for those who are incessant thinkers and chronic worriers. Read more about passionflower here.
	Lemon Balm – a cheerful aromatic plant from the mint family, lemon balm is mildly sedating but also uplifting. It won’t put you to sleep in the middle of the day or aggravate depression. In fact, it can help lift depressed states of mind, especially seasonal depression during this dark time of year. Lemon balm is indicated for stress, anxiety and hyperthyroidism & hyperactivity of any kind. It is also antiviral and its can be used topically to relieve cold sores. Lemon balm makes a great tasting tea that anyone in the family will love. Just avoid drinking lots of lemon balm if you have a hypothyroid condition.