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The linden tree, whose botanical name is Tilia, belongs to the Malvaceae family. This genus of plants includes both tree and shrub species, native to the northern hemisphere, particularly the temperate regions of the north. Among the most common species are Tilia cordata, also known as wild linden, and Tilia platyphyllos, or common linden.
Linden trees are appreciated not only for their ornamental beauty but also for their numerous beneficial properties.
The most used part in herbal medicine consists of the dried flowers, but the leaves, alburnum, and wood are also used in various fields.
The name "linden" derives from the Greek "ptilon", which means "wing", referring to the characteristic leafy bract that facilitates the dissemination of the fruits. The linden tree has always been considered a sacred and revered tree, capable of providing well-being and serenity thanks to its calming and relaxing virtues.
Let's take a look at its main characteristics together.
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The linden tree is a large deciduous tree that can reach up to 30 meters in height. It has a sturdy trunk with initially smooth bark that cracks longitudinally with age. The leaves are alternate, heart-shaped at the base, with a serrated margin and pointed tip. The flowers, hermaphroditic and fragrant, are yellowish and grouped in inflorescences protected by a pale green leafy bract.
The linden tree is native to the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, particularly Europe. In Italy, it grows spontaneously in broadleaf forests and cool, shaded areas. It is a tree that also adapts well to urban environments, decorating streets and squares with its lush foliage.
The parts of the linden tree used for medicinal purposes include the flowers with bracts, buds, and alburnum. The dried flowers are particularly appreciated for their calming properties, while the alburnum is used to obtain charcoal.
In Italy, several species of linden can be found:
Among the ornamental species cultivated in Italy, the Tilia americana (American lime), native to North America, is also widespread. The lime tree not only enriches the landscape with its presence but also offers numerous benefits through its various usable parts.
Cultivating the lime tree is not complex, as it is a frugal and undemanding plant in terms of light exposure and soil type, although it prefers fertile and fresh soils.
The lime tree can be cultivated using various techniques: sowing, layering, cuttings, transplanting suckers, and in some cases, grafting. It is important to periodically remove the suckers that develop at the base of the trunk to promote healthy and vigorous growth of the tree.
Despite its robustness, the lime tree can be subject to various adversities. Among the harmful insects are the larvae of the Cherry Moth (Eriogaster lanestris), the Buff-tip (Phalera bucephala), and the Hornet Moth (Aegeria apiformis), which can severely damage leaves and trunk. Mites such as the Eriofide (Eriophyes tiliae) and the Yellow Spider Mite (Tetranychus telarius) cause damage to the leaves, while fungi like Gnomonia tiliae and Pyrenochaeta pubescens can cause diseases such as anthracnose and bark dieback.
A critical aspect of lime tree maintenance is avoiding drastic topping, a practice that causes the tree distress and compromises its overall stability. Instead, it is advisable to adopt light and targeted pruning to maintain the tree's health in the long term.
The harvesting of different parts of the lime tree varies depending on the season and the part used. The flowers are harvested at the beginning of flowering, generally in June, also detaching the bracts that envelop them. The buds are collected at the beginning of spring, before they are fully open, while the sapwood is harvested during the plant's vegetative rest, usually in autumn.
The lime tree, known for its longevity that can reach 1000 years, was considered sacred by many ancient European peoples, particularly the Slavs. In German cities, it was common to find groups of lime trees in central points as meeting places under their refreshing shade.
These trees were often planted in markets to foster an environment of calm and well-being, thus facilitating commercial relations. A famous example of this tradition is the Unter den Linden street in Berlin, where lime trees were planted as early as the 16th century.
In Greek mythology, the lime tree symbolizes hospitality and eternal love, as in the legend of Philemon and Baucis, transformed by Zeus into an oak and a lime tree united in a single trunk. Poets have often celebrated the lime tree for its ability to bring peace and serenity to the human heart, a quality confirmed by the relaxing properties of its flowers, making it one of the most important relaxing plants.
These flowers, collected by women in European countryside to prepare calming teas, bloom in June with an intense fragrance that attracts bees. For the Celts and the Germans, the lime tree was also valuable for the fibers obtained from the inner bark, used to weave clothes.
Interestingly, Carl von Linné, the father of the scientific classification of living organisms, bears the surname derived from the local name of the lime tree (Lind), chosen by his father Nils in honor of the ancient lime tree present in his grandparents' yard.
Linden is a valuable source of beneficial active ingredients for health. Among the chemical components found in the flowers of this plant, we have:
The leaves of the linden also contain flavonoids, such as tiliroside, kaempferol-3,7-dirhamnoside, and kaempferol-3-O-glucoside-7-O-rhamnoside, along with tannins and mucilages. In the sapwood, the young layer of wood located under the bark, mucilages, sterols like beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and stigmastanol, and triterpenes like squalene can be found.
This richness of active ingredients gives linden its appreciated calming, antispasmodic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a valuable ally for body and mind well-being.
The synergistic action of these chemical components contributes to the beneficial effects that linden exerts on the nervous system, digestion, and cardiovascular health, as we will see in the following paragraphs.
Linden is a plant with multiple beneficial properties, appreciated for centuries for its therapeutic virtues. The main properties of linden are:
Although many of the properties attributed to linden are supported by scientific evidence, further studies are still needed to confirm their effectiveness in humans for some of them.
Linden is a plant with multiple beneficial properties, capable of positively affecting various systems of the body. Here are the main benefits of linden and what it affects:
Linden is a plant used both in herbal medicine and in cooking for its multiple properties, in various processed products. Here is a schematic overview of its main uses and how to prepare it.
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To prepare a decoction, put a tablespoon of dried sapwood in 500 ml of cold water, bring to a boil, and simmer for 10 minutes. Let it rest for another 10 minutes, strain, and drink throughout the day.
The mother tincture of linden, obtained from the flowers with bracts or from the sapwood, is used for its sedative and antispasmodic properties. The recommended dose is 50-60 drops twice a day, diluted in water.
The dry extract of linden flowers, standardized to at least 1% in flavonoids, is taken in a dose of 250 mg 2-3 times a day to benefit from its calming properties.
The gemmoderivato of linden is used to treat agitation, restlessness, and difficulty sleeping. The recommended dose is 20-30 drops twice a day, diluted in water.
Added to diffusers for aromatherapy, linden essential oil promotes relaxation and mental well-being. It can be used for relaxing massages, diluted in a carrier oil.
Thanks to the mucilages contained in the flowers and leaves, the linden extract is used as a soothing, protective, and moisturizing agent in cases of dermatitis, delicate and reddened skin. It is used in creams, lotions, and other cosmetic products.
The whitish wood of the linden tree is light and uniform, ideal for carving, inlay, and sculpture work. It is particularly appreciated in electric lutherie for making the bodies of "solid body" guitars and basses, known as "basswood".
The fragrant flowers of the linden tree are also used in the perfume industry to create fresh and floral fragrances. These multiple uses make the linden a valuable plant not only for its medicinal properties but also for its practical and aesthetic applications.
The linden tree finds various uses in cooking thanks to its aromatic and beneficial characteristics. One of the most appreciated products is linden honey, which stands out for its sweet and delicate flavor, as well as its calming properties. This honey can be used as a natural sweetener for tea and herbal infusions, adding a particular aroma and contributing to relaxation. In pastry, linden honey is ideal for preparing sweets and cookies, giving a unique floral note.
Besides honey, linden leaves and flowers are also used in cooking. Fresh leaves can be added to salads, offering an aromatic and beneficial touch, while the flowers, with their sweet and floral scent, can be used to flavor summer drinks and cocktails, making them more refreshing and pleasant to the palate.
Despite the numerous beneficial properties of the linden tree, it is important to be aware of the possible contraindications associated with its use. Here is a list of the main contraindications:
Following the recommended doses and the instructions provided by manufacturers is essential to avoid unwanted effects. As with any natural remedy, it is always advisable to consult a doctor before starting a linden-based treatment, especially in the presence of pre-existing medical conditions or if taking other medications.
The use of linden is generally considered safe when used correctly and at the recommended doses. However, as with any natural remedy, side effects can occur in particularly sensitive individuals. Here is an overview of the most common side effects associated with linden:
While linden is a safe and beneficial plant for most people, it is always advisable to consult a doctor before starting treatment, especially in the presence of pre-existing medical conditions or during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
If you want to experience the benefits of linden, you can purchase dried linden flowers on Terzaluna, the e-shop specialized in high-quality teas, herbs, and herbal teas. Terzaluna carefully selects the best linden flowers from organic farms and packages them in convenient sachets, ready to be infused and enjoyed.
By choosing to buy linden on Terzaluna, you can be sure to bring home a natural product free of additives or preservatives.
In addition to loose linden flowers, on Terzaluna you will also find convenient ready-made relaxing herbal teas, which combine linden with other beneficial herbs and spices, such as chamomile, lemon balm, and lavender, for an even more effective relaxing and digestive effect. These blends are the result of the expert herbal knowledge of the Terzaluna team, who create balanced and harmonious combinations for the well-being of body and mind.
Buying linden online on Terzaluna is simple and safe: just select the desired product, add it to the cart, and complete the order. The shipping is fast and the package will arrive directly at your home in a few days, allowing you to enjoy all the pleasure and benefits of this extraordinary plant.
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