Linden – herbal medicine not only for colds

When it’s autumn and winter and with them colds and other health problems, reach for teas and syrups with linden, led perhaps our intuition whispers or advice of others, whether attracted by colorful advertisements “herbal” manufacturers. Oversaturated colors slender bottle with the addition of lime trees are smiling at us from the shelves by encouraging the purchase. We take them home, we get autumn-winter weakness, and so linden goes into our cups. But do we really know what is hidden in the tree?

Someone might say – of course I did! We drink it when we catch a cold, sore throat, dripping from the nose. Yes it’s true. Pale yellow flowers of linden trees, which are the main raw herb in the form of infusion (about three glasses a day):

• are a great agent acting diaphoretic just with colds, flu, tonsillitis, or mucosity respiratory tract,
• infusion fight fever, runny nose and protects the respiratory system,
• externally should gargle with infusion of linden flowers,
• it is good to drink it as well in air-conditioned environments, thereby protecting our inhalation from the effects of dry, sometimes contaminated air.

Linden tree – flowers and leaves

It turns out, however, that this modest hum, next to which we pass indifferently sometimes can be a remedy for many of our ills … because just when we return home tired, exhausted, nervous, we should do a tribute to the linden tree. It is said that it is worthwhile to sit in the shade of linden trees, close  eyes and let the serenity enveloped us, regenerate our strength, proved ineffective or showed us the sorrows of childhood memories. Apparently this tree suggests the need solutions to problems, such as looking for inspiration to poets.

The infusion of linden blossom

A little relaxation

The solution for those who have excess time? Relax, you can also do this at home 🙂 Just an infusion of linden flowers, which regenerates after prolonged intellectual effort, in nervous tension, dizziness, migraines and vomiting nervosa. It should also use the bath infusion or decoction of lime trees, not only with flowers but also with leaves or sawdust from linden wood. Such a bath wonderfully relaxes, refreshes and invigorates the body and also helps in falling asleep … and if there is a lack of time, we can personally make a pillow with linden flowers that smell cuddle up us to sleep.

Set

Remember to always collect floral material in places away from cities and highways, preferably in late June and early July when most flowers is already developed in the dry, hot days, when linden smell the most beautiful, the flowers are richest in all the best for us, including in flavonoids, organic acids, phenolic glycosides, essential oils, phytosterols, mucus, tannins, minerals.

Dried linden inflorescences

What will help?

It should drink infusions of linden flowers just like that, systematically, and this is because the lime, having such a rich composition, has:

• a bile propellants,
• increases the secretion of gastric juice, so that helps digestion and absorption of food,
• it is a diuretic and antispasmodic,
• relieving colic and diarrhea calms,
• protects the gastric mucosa.

It is a component of many herbal blends, which support the treatment of some diseases of the kidneys, urinary tract infection, atherosclerosis and diabetes. Externally applied decoctions of linden flowers are also useful toothaches, neuralgia, rheumatism, burns, wounds and ulcers, and even in gynecological diseases. Also, washing hair in the decoction of the flowers prevent hair loss, the dry dandruff, gives hair shine and honey fragrance.

Linden leaves

Ancient and contemporary applications

Talking about Linden we mean mainly the inflorescence (Inflorescentia Tiliae), meanwhile, used in folk medicine as a medicinal raw material were leaves, bark, fruit – nuts, lime coal. Ground wood, charcoal was prepared by bloating, gas, diarrhea and indigestion, and externally it was sprinkled with stinking, festering wounds and ulcers. Similarly, buds and leaves due to its analgesic, antiinflammatory and antiseptic used as wraps wounds, burns, ulcers and other inflammatory conditions of the skin, the eyes affected by a number of ailments, as well as lowering blood pressure. Mashed nuts, flooded then vinegar was stopped blood from the nose and mouth, and freshly skinned limes bark healed burns. From the linden tree nuts also done edible oils. Raw limes can also be used in cosmetics – the spirits tincture of fresh flowers is used as a measure against freckles and wrinkles, infusions of linden trees brighten the complexion, gives the skin softness, reduce inflammation, attracts and closes pores, irrigate it, give it flexibility and elasticity, reduce seborrhea.

Linden tree recently tend to be underestimated by people. Always we are looking for something new and forget that it was the best Mother Nature had hidden right next to us, only need to reach. In these often passed by us trees, so respected by our ancestors slumber unusual power. It might be worthwhile to discover it again?

The Shrine of Virgin Mary on the old linden

A little history

In Poland, the most frequently Small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata, Tilia parvifolia) and Large-leaved lime (Tilia platyphylos, Tilia grandifolia). Both species are beautiful, tall, shady deciduous trees, which grow wild but are commonly studded purposes and ornamentals. Linden as a long-lived species that can live up to 1,000 years old, was known ancient Greek and Roman physicians who treat used the bark and leaves of linden. Pale yellow flowers of trees was recognized as a medicine until the Middle Ages. Greeks linden tree as a symbol of hope, purity and innocence. The Slavs believed that lime protects against evil spirits and lightning, and recognizing its many benefits they worshiped it as the sacred tree under which there were also the courts, councils of war, ritual dances and sacrifices. The old traditions were supported also by Christians who hung on trees roadside shrines, combining linden mystical with cult of the Virgin Mary.

Author:

A.

You can also read our encyclopedia herbs:

• Linden blosson flowers 

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• Linden blossom – Lime flowers
• Herbal blend for cold (for children and adults)

Herbal blend for cold (for children and adults)