Linden

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Linden / Tilia / is a genus of trees, numbering about 40 plants. It is widespread in the temperate parts of the northern hemisphere - Asia, Europe and the eastern part of North America.

Some species of linden are wild. The linden tree reaches a height of 20 to 40 meters. Grows well in shady and humid places. The flowers of the linden tree look like small umbrellas with a nice yellowish color and a strong, extremely pleasant aroma. These flowers are visited en masse by bees. Linden is one of the most honey-bearing, fragrant and useful plants.

Linden has been known since ancient times. The Celts believed that the tree was sacred and therefore the tribal council met under a tree linden. It was believed that it would monitor the justice and fairness of the decisions. Due to the slightly heart-shaped shape of the leaves, the linden is also associated with the goddess of love.

In our country linden is widespread - found in mixed forests and shrubs, on rocky slopes in the foothills and lower mountain belt throughout the country.

Types of linden

Linden There are about 40 species, but the most common are:

- American linden / Tilia Americana L / - as the name implies, this linden is found mostly in North America. Reaches a height of 40 meters, has a broadly rounded crown. Its leaves are oval, tough and reaching a length of 10 to 20 cm. The flowers appear in July and are very fragrant. Withstands drought and heat.

- Crimean linden / Tilia euchlora K. Koch / - grows in Southern Europe. It forms an oval rounded crown and reaches a height of 20 meters. The leaves are about 10 cm large, ovate and shiny dark green on top. It blooms in June.

- Large-leaved linden / Tilia platyphyllos Scop / - grows throughout Europe. It has a wide pyramidal crown and a height of up to 40 meters. The leaves are heart-shaped rounded. It blooms in June, but is very sensitive to drought and very often in August its leaves begin to turn yellow.

- Silver linden / Tilia tomentosa / - grows in Eastern and Southern Europe. It has a pyramidal crown, which is denser than other species. It has upright branches and a height of up to 30 meters. This is the most common linden in our country. It blooms later, but tolerates more than any other linden sunlight.

- Tilia cordata Mill - grows throughout Europe, reaching a height of 25 meters. It has a straight and thick stem, which ends with a strongly branched dense and globular crown. It blooms in June with very strong fragrant flowers.

Composition of linden

Linden It consists of essential oil (mainly farnesol), the glycoside thidiacin, the flavonoid glycoside hesperidin, tannins and as yet unexplored saponins, mucus, vitamin C, provitamin A and others.

Collection and storage of linden

Dried linden flowers can be purchased from any pharmacy. Available as tea or in bulk in boxes. There is no denying that the most delicious is hand-picked linden tea. The flowers gather when more than half have already bloomed and the rest have begun to dissolve.

The flowers are picked by hand, and the adjacent leaf is torn off together with them. During picking the flowers should not be crumpled, because during drying they darken and lose most of their useful qualities. The collected linden flowers are dried in the shade until the flower stalk becomes brittle when bent.

Benefits of linden

Linden is a very common herb that is widely used in medicine and perfumery. The usable part are the inflorescences and bracts that are collected during flowering.

Lime blossom has a strong diaphoretic and mild disinfectant effect. It is also known as an antispastic, anti-inflammatory and diuretic product.

Linden flowers are used to make a delicious tea that helps with inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, fever and urinary tract diseases. It is used for epilepsy, dizziness, hysteria, hoarseness, headache and dizziness. Linden is useful in neuritis and rheumatic pain. It is recommended to drink linden tea before bedtime.

To prepare a decoction of linden you need 2 liters of water and 100 g of linden blossom. If you want a gargle with lime, boil 20 g of flowers in 250 ml of boiling water, and in the warm decoction add a teaspoon of baking soda.

Infusion of linden is prepared with 1 tbsp. finely chopped flowers and 250 ml of boiling water. After 20 minutes, strain the infusion and drink while it is still warm. Linden flower, which is soaked for 8 hours in red wine / ratio 1: 10 / is very useful in anemia, in addition it has a strong tonic effect.

In Bulgarian folk medicine, linden is used for skin rashes and diarrhea, and externally used for baths for nervous disorders, for gargling for sore throats and toothaches.

Linden in cosmetics

Linden is very widely used in cosmetics. The decoction is part of many hair masks that enhance the blond color. Distilled water of lime color is very valuable because it has strong soothing properties. It can be used as a face tonic or as an additive in creams for very sensitive skin. Due to its pronounced soothing effect, it is a valuable addition to night creams.

The decoction of linden used to clarify and soothe the skin. Apply a decoction of linden tea to which a teaspoon of honey has been added. Leave the mask on for about 10 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.

Vinegar leaves boiled with vinegar are believed to be an effective remedy against hair loss. Wash your hair and then rinse with the already lukewarm decoction of linden.

Lime damage

Although there are countless health benefits, linden blossoming is one of the most unpleasant experiences for people suffering from seasonal allergies. This flowering causes problems with the eyes and nose, which are marked as serious discomfort. To do this, avoid walking in alleys that are planted with linden trees and limit the opening of windows at home if linden grows under them.