What is linden?
Since ancient times, linden leaves, flowers and bark have been used for their sedative and soothing properties. Present everywhere in Europe, the lime tree can measure up to 40 m. Its leaves are fluffy and light green, and its flowers bloom in clusters, connected by bracts.
Its consumption has been documented for centuries, most often in the form of herbal tea obtained from the flowers or leaves. France has been cultivating and producing linden flowers industrially since the 19th century for herbal purposes; but other parts of the tree, such as the sapwood or the bark in the form of charcoal are also used for their properties.
What are the benefits of linden?
It’s here sleep plant par excellence: calming, relaxing and antispasmodic, it has a soothing effect on the nervous system, improves sleepiness, and, in some cases, reduces digestive problems related to stress.
The sapwood, the part located between the bark and the wood, is also widely used for its purifying properties : Beneficial for the liver, it drains the body and acts on digestion. Activated vegetable charcoal, used in case of digestive disorders, is frequently derived from the soft wood of the lime tree.
Overall soothing, linden is also known soothe skin irritations.
How to use linden?
- There linden tea, a great classic! Use 1 tablespoon of dried linden flowers per cup. Consume in the evening, after dinner, to help you fall asleep, and at any time of the day within the limit of 4 cups per day.
- For a decoction, boil 50 g of flowers or linden sapwood in a liter of water, leave to infuse for ten minutes off the heat and filter. A cup at the end of each meal will help your digestion.
- Linden sapwood is also available asextract bulbs : more concentrated, it is recommended for the overall drainage of the body and acts on the liver and kidney function.
- In case of skin irritations or eczema, linden hydrosol or the leaves immersed directly in bath water, at the rate of 500 g per 10 l of water, have an immediate soothing effect.
- You will also find linden in the form of capsules very effective dry extracts, generally combined with other soothing plants (chamomile, escholtzia, etc.).
What are the contraindications of linden, are there any side effects?
The lime tree is not subject tono known harmful side effects ; however, consume this plant with caution in the following cases:
- pregnancy and lactation: seek advice from a health professional;
- drug treatment: infusion and decoction of linden have a proven diuretic effect, so beware if you are already using a drug of this class;
- finally, this diuretic effect has the effect of increasing the concentration of lithium in the body: avoid consuming it if you are receiving lithium-based treatment and talk to your doctor about it.
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