Linden (Latin Tilia) is a genus of woody plants. It is used all over the world not only in folk but also in traditional medicine. Most often, the plant (flowers) is brewed in the form of tea and used as a sedative, anticonvulsant and analgesic. Health benefits are not just a panacea, but confirmed by numerous studies.
Botany
Most plant species are very durable, easily reach 200 years and continue to be productive during their first century of life. Typically, a tree has a lifespan of several hundred years, but there are specimens that have been on the planet for more than 1,000 years.
Linden trees are deciduous and fast-growing, usually reaching 15-23 m in height and width from 12 to 15 m.
5-petalled, fragrant, yellow-white flowers are collected after spring flowering, then dried and stored in low humidity. This is the most valuable medicinal component of linden.
Young trees have almost smooth gray bark. The old ones have a gray-brown bark, which is sometimes covered with small cracks. Leaves 6 to 20 centimeters, broad, heart-shaped, asymmetrical with pointed ends and serrated edges.
Lime flowers are creamy yellow, fragrant, sweet and slightly sticky, which is normal. They are considered an excellent source of pollen and nectar for honey production. As for the fruits, they are round-oval, slightly ribbed with a sharp tip, also have a weak sweetness.
Trees of this genus can be found in all temperate regions of Europe, Asia and North America, where climatic conditions allow them to thrive. The most common varieties include:
1) Linden heart (Tilia cordata).
2) Large-leaved linden (T. platyphyllos).
3) European linden (T. europaea).
4) American linden (T. americana).
History
Since the Middle Ages, linden flowers have been used mainly as a diaphoretic. They have also been used for various therapeutic purposes in herbal medicine, including expectorant, diuretic, antispasmodic, gastric and sedative. In addition, the color has traditionally been used for healing flu, cough, migraines, nervous tension, digestion, various types of spasms, liver and gallbladder disease, diarrhea and high blood pressure associated with arteriosclerosis.
Insistence of flowers makes tea pleasant to the taste. Several sources report that linden flowers were considered so effective in treatment epilepsythat it can be cured just by sitting under a tree. Sugar was obtained from the sap of the tree, and olive oil from the seeds. In ancient Greek mythology, the nymph Filir turned into a linden tree, begging the gods not to leave her among mortals.
Chemical composition
Flowers and fruits are especially rich in powerful antioxidants such as quercetin, kaempferol, acetate, afzelin, tyliroside, herbacetin, protoanthocyanidin, n-coumaric acid (also found in linden honey) and other powerful flavonoids, as well as essential oils such as essential oils, such as , citral, citronellol and citronellal.
Linden also contains vitamin C, glucose, carotene, white, tannin, micro- and macroelements, tannins.
Linden honey contains water, glucose, levunose, fructose, vitamins, macro-micronutrients and maltose.
Uses and benefits
Linden is used to stimulate sweating with fever during colds and infections, to reduce nasal congestion and relieve irritation of the throat and cough. It has a calming effect and is used for treatment arrhythmias due to stress and high blood pressure. Also used in anti-itch lotions. However, the amount of research on this subject is limited, although the benefits of linden have been studied for a long time.
- Treats colds and respiratory infections. Flower tea and decoction is recommended for the treatment of colds, flu, bronchitis and other similar respiratory diseases. It can help not only reduce fever by stimulating sweating, but also reduce cough, irritation and sore throat, as well as nasal congestion due to mucolytic action (helps to dilute mucus).
- Helps reduce stress and anxiety. Regular consumption of linden tea helps reduce anxiety and stress, thanks to the moderate sedative properties of the flower. A cup of tea every night is a great way to relax and prepare for a good night’s sleep. Controlling stress levels is important for normal heart function, eliminating the symptoms of anxiety disorder. Sedative properties have been confirmed in animals. Linden had this effect on mice in the form of an aqueous extract, and when inhaling oils from it in another study.
- Reduces flatulence and relieves stomach pain or cramps. The flower and leaves of the plant are a natural antispasmodic and, as studies have shown, effectively reduce the amount of gas in the stomach and soothe spasms, dyspepsia and ulcerative pain. Moreover, they are great for eliminating vomiting. Traditionally, linden wood was among those that were converted into charcoal and used as activated carbon to treat flatulence. In vitro animal studies using the duodenum of rats confirmed the antispasmodic effect. The activity was inhibited by atropine and papaverine and increased by acetylcholine. Antispasmodic properties are attributed to p-coumaric acids and flavonoids in the plant.
- Maintains the health of the gallbladder and liver. New data suggest that the flower may be a hepatoprotector (able to prevent liver damage). According to several studies, sapwood (the outer part of the wood just below the bark) is an effective natural remedy for cleansing the liver and treating gallstones.
- Reduces high blood pressure. Sapwood is also an effective diuretic and thus helps reduce high blood pressure. In addition, it is an excellent tool for detoxifying the kidneys. In addition, it is able to dilate blood vessels and is effective in combating headaches.
- The plant has antioxidant, antispasmodic, antifungal and antibacterial properties. This effect in linden flowers is also confirmed by research. It is assumed that the substances in their composition can even inhibit the activity of pathogenic microorganisms transmitted through food.
- Emollient (calming) property linden was used in lotions against itching, as well as when rheumatism. One report examines the anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties of Tilia sylvestris. The two main flavonoids, kaempferol and quercetin in T. argentea, showed potent anti-inflammatory activity at 50 mg / kg in mice.
Floral extracts of the tree are present in a variety of cosmetic products from body lotions to face creams and massage oils.
Homeopaths use linden to treat enuresis, incontinence, hemorrhage, uterine prolapse and epilepsy.
The plant also has a diuretic effect and has a viscous effect, as well as possible antidiabetic activity. T. cordata is used medically by a small percentage of people with diabetes according to the results in the Middle East (according to the results of the survey).
Linden also contributed to the absorption of iron in rats, which may be useful in iron deficiency anemia.
Damage
It should be borne in mind that natural products are not always safe, and adhere to the dosage, which depends on several factors, such as age, health and a number of other conditions. Be sure to follow the instructions in the instructions or consult a pharmacist, doctor or other healthcare professional before using the product.
In rare cases, this plant causes allergies.
Although no current clinical data have been published on this subject, the German Commission E (a major government organization similar to the US FDA) in its monograph concluded that linden blossom is cardiotoxic. According to them, frequent use of lime blossom teas can be associated with heart damage. However, lime blossom is listed in the German Pharmacopoeia and approved in the monographs of the same German Commission E. In Germany, it is classified as anti-cold and antitussive
Contraindication
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Insufficiently known about the use of linden during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid its use during these periods.
Heart disease: in the presence of heart disease, do not use linden without medical supervision or doctor’s advice, as it puts extra strain on the heart due to diuretic and diaphoretic properties.
Adverse reactions
Specific toxicity reports, such as contact urticaria, allergy to certain linden fruit oils in rats, seasonal hay fever (allergic reaction to pollen), residues of organochlorine pesticides in lime-containing beverages and contact dermatitis with rhinoconjunctivitis due to exposure to soft wood dust.
How much can you take a day?
Linden is available in several dosage forms. It is believed that it is necessary to consume no more than 2-4 g per day of linden from teas or other forms for internal use. Similar dosing regimens can be found on various commercial websites or in instructions, but no current research has established a specific dosage.
