Luscious Linden
Isn’t she gorgeous? The beautiful, stately Linden. I love this herb so much I chose her for my logo.
There are about 30 species of Tilia trees. Four that I know of have medicinal uses: T. platphyllos (large-leaved linden), T. cordata (small-leaved linden), T. europaea (a hybrid of the two), and T. americana (or basswood). Lindens are known as lime trees in the UK.
They’ve commonly been used as amenity plantings because of their appeal and the dense shade produced by their canopy. Near Nelson Central School there’s an avenue of 15 T. europaea trees which, according to Nelson City Council, is said to have bounded the old horse cemetery.
Linden wood is fine-grained and popular for carving. The 17th century British master craftsman Grinling Gibbons did much of his stunning work in this wood.
The Linden in myth
Some of the more ancient, magical herbs like Hawthorn, Elder and even Mugwort had traditional warnings attached to their harvesting and use. Linden, however, seems to be universally loved as a benign influence. American herbalist Robin Rose Bennett talks of it having a “bright, golden-light energy”.
Lindens symbolise wedded love. This is attributed to a Greek myth about a shepherd called Philemon and his wife, Baucis. The couple hosted the gods Zeus and Hermes when the latter were disguised as human travellers and had nowhere to stay for the night.
As a reward for their hospitality, Zeus granted their wish of one day dying together. Philemon became an oak, symbol of hospitality. Baucis became a linden, the symbol of conjugal love.
The Linden is the birthday flower for 7 February. Along with the wedded love already mentioned, it symbolises gentleness, hospitality, sweetness and modesty.
Slow starters, brief blossoms
It takes 8–12 years for Linden trees to flower and when they do, the blossoms are only around for 2–3 weeks. Small-leaved Lindens grow on our property and start flowering in the second week of January. Harvesting, drying and then making medicine from this beautiful tree is one of the highlights of my year.
A herb for the heart
Linden has heart-shaped leaves and this is a herb with a long tradition of supporting the physical and emotional heart. The blossoms have a beautiful scent. They, along with their long, pale green bracts are the parts used medicinally.
Linden has a calming effect and is specific for headaches caused by high blood pressure. It relaxes constricted blood vessels and promotes sweating, which has made it a time-honoured treatment for feverish children (feverish adults too). It’s also been used to treat insomnia, stress and panic, and digestive issues arising from stress.
Linden is one of the first herbs I think of for someone suffering grief, loss or bereavement. It won’t make the pain go away but it makes you feel less alone. It’s a gentle comforter.
Safety of Linden
There have never been any reports of ill effects from using Linden, even in high concentrations and for long periods. It’s totally safe for pregnant and nursing women, and for all ages.
Linden as medicine
If you want to use Linden for its relaxing properties, steep one heaped tablespoon of fresh flowers or 1–2 teaspoon dried in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. Strain and drink. Add honey if you prefer.
To support the body as it works through a fever, use 2 tablespoons fresh or 4 heaped teaspoons of dried blossoms per cup. To enhance the action, mix equal quantities of dried linden, elderflower blossoms and chamomile (say, 10 grams of each) and then used 4 heaped teaspoons per cup.
If you want to support your heart health, you’ll need to take a lot of Linden over an extended period of time. In this case it’s best to use the tincture form as it’s more concentrated.
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