Linden flowers have been famous for their healing properties for centuries. They allow you to cope with a runny nose and sore throat. Linden blossom tea should be drunk when the first symptoms of a cold appear. In addition to the treatment of colds, the plant material of the tree is used for skin care.
Plant characteristics
Linden is a long-lived deciduous tree belonging to the Malvaceae family. Usually grows in the Northern Hemisphere, in the temperate zone, especially in the lowlands. Sometimes forms large forest clusters. It is often planted in parks, in settlements, on roads and in gardens as an ornamental plant. In Europe, the most common are small-leaved linden (Tilia cordata Mill.) and large-leaved linden (Tilia platyphyllos Scop.).
In favorable conditions, the tree grows for several hundred years and can reach a height of 35 meters. Old specimens are distinguished by a very thick trunk and brown bark. Young trees have a smooth bark, a greenish coating. The stem is simple, begins to branch in the middle of the height. The leaves are rounded, heart-shaped with a serrated edge, slightlyasymmetrical. The flowers are light yellow in color, collected in umbrella inflorescences, exude a strong honey aroma. Linden is loved by bees because of the precious nectar. Linden honey is considered the best product by beekeepers.
Linden inflorescence is a medicinal raw material. It should be plucked along with the stalks and bracts in the form of a lanceolate leaflet. Collection of inflorescences is carried out away from the main roads, preferably from places where the trees have not been sprayed with chemicals. They should be collected on dry, sunny days, and then dried in ventilated and shaded places. A properly dried flower has a pleasant honey smell and a yellow-white color.
Linden flowers: medicinal properties
Linden tree flowers appear at the turn of June and July. They are famous for their high content of useful substances, such as flavonoids, organic acids, vitamins (C, PP) and mineral s alts.
Contained in the inflorescences of linden, plant sterols, the so-called phytosterols, have:
- antioxidant action, due to which they neutralize free radicals and thereby counteract the formation of tumors;
- inhibit the formation of new blood vessels;
- help stop the development of stomach, lung, colon and prostate cancer;
- affect the reduction of bad cholesterol and provide an increased excretion of its excess from the body (flavonoids contained in linden flowers perform a protective function: they protect cells from damage and, like phytosterols, have an antioxidant effect and strengthenblood vessels).
Vitamin C found in lime blossom is the popular name for ascorbic acid. It helps fight colds by strengthening the immune system, and therefore alleviates the course of the disease and reduces the effects of annoying symptoms. Promotes faster healing of wounds and reduces the amount of bleeding. Ascorbic acid, together with other components, nutrients, stimulates the production of collagen in the body, thus affecting the formation of connective tissue.
Vitamin PP is used in the treatment of atherosclerosis, and also affects the increase in the level of synthesis of thyroid and pancreatic hormones and steroid hormones.
Linden flower mucus has an expectorant and soothing effect in inflammatory diseases of the throat and soothes coughs. Lime blossom infusions have a diuretic effect, stimulate digestion by increasing the secretion of gastric juices.
What does lime blossom help with?
Linden blossom exhibits a diaphoretic, antispasmodic, choleretic and analgesic effect. The main indications for the use of linden flowers are:
- cold;
- flu;
- cough;
- angina;
- inflammation of the pharynx, larynx and bronchi.
Externally recommended for rinsing with inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity and pharynx.
Lime blossom and cold
It is no coincidence that the composition of many syrups for pain inlinden enters the throat. Our grandmothers also used linden flowers for colds. Medicines from them will soothe a sore throat, help get rid of hoarseness and cough, as the substances contained in the plant contribute to expectoration of sputum.
Linden blossom tea induces sweating, which quickly removes toxins from the body. Linden has a diuretic effect - which will speed up this process.
Attention: the diaphoretic and diuretic effect of lime infusion can be very intense! So remember to drink a few extra glasses of mineral water throughout the day.
Don't wait for a common cold to turn into something worse. As soon as you feel the first symptoms of the disease, immediately prepare lime tea.
Linden and digestive problems
The benefits of linden flowers are also obvious for digestive problems. The essential oils contained in the inflorescences of the tree stimulate the secretion of gastric juice, which is necessary for the normal course of digestion and absorption of nutrients. It also causes relaxation of smooth muscle tension and increases bile flow. Protects in this way from its stagnation and the deposition of stones in the gallbladder.
Linden infusions should be used after a heavy high-calorie meal. This will prevent unpleasant ailments such as nausea or heartburn.
Linden flowers are recommended for people suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, especially with problems with the liver or gallbladder. Supports treatment for diarrhea and poisoning.
Linden tea frominsomnia and stress
Linden is a plant that helps in the fight against insomnia and excess stress. This is all thanks to the essential oils present in its composition. They cause relaxation, help reduce muscle tension and relieve fatigue caused by mental stress. Linden flower tea will help relieve nervous tension and minimize the unpleasant effects of stress in the form of reduced concentration or excessive excitability.
Calming and relaxing the body leads to faster and easier falling asleep. In case of such problems, both lime blossom infusions and baths with its addition are recommended. The action of infusions from the plant is very mild and completely safe, so they can be used if necessary for children and the elderly.
Influence of linden on the skin
Since it was mentioned above that linden infusion can be used in the process of bathing, let's also recall the external use of linden flowers.
Traditional medicine has always used the infusion of this plant for compresses, lotions, irrigation or washing. It is important to note that linden not only helps the skin regenerate, but also tones and moisturizes it. When used in scalp care, dandruff can be eliminated.
Linden infusion should be used in cases of skin itching, irritation, very strong inflammatory processes (for example, after insect bites). Some use an infusion of the plant to remove freckles or add it to face masks andhair.
How to make linden tea?
In order to extract medicinal properties from linden flowers, you should know how to brew them correctly. Here are the basic guidelines for making tea:
- Pour one tablespoon of dried linden inflorescence into a cup, pour a glass of boiling water. It is undesirable to boil the inflorescences in water.
- The cup should be covered with a lid and wait 20 minutes, allowing the tea to brew.
- After preparing the infusion, strain it, squeeze the linden through a sieve, best to the last drop.
- Linden tea is sweetened with honey. Honey is added only when the infusion has cooled to a temperature of 40 degrees. In addition to honey, raspberry juice and lemon are also suitable for linden tea.
Linden flower tea is an excellent remedy for colds, skin problems and digestion. For colds, it should be applied three times a day between meals.
Linden decoction
To prepare a decoction for external use, pour 8 tablespoons of lime tree inflorescences into 2 cups of hot water and put in a water bath for 20 minutes. After this time, the broth should be cooled and filtered. The liquid can be used for rinsing the mouth and throat or for bathing. The tool can be used to prepare a compress on the eyes. Gauze soaked in decoction or infusion is applied to closed eyelids. Lime blossom soothes ailments associated with inflammation of the conjunctiva and eyelids, as well as reduces swelling and dark circles.around the eyes.
Soothing linden bath recipe
Mix 50 g of linden blossoms, 30 g of crushed calamus rhizome and 20 g of lavender flowers and heather flowers (or grass). Herbs pour 2 liters of boiling water and put in a water bath for 30 minutes, heat without boiling. Strain and pour the infusion into a bath filled 1/3 with water at a temperature of 37-38 ° C. Bathing should last 15-20 minutes. After bathing, you should wrap yourself in a towel, lie down in bed and cover yourself warmly.
Linden syrup
To prepare cough syrup from linden flowers, you need to prepare 100 g of fresh inflorescences of the plant, 1 liter of water, 1 kg of sugar, 20 g of citric acid or juice of 2/3 of a lemon. Flowers should be cleaned of insects, it is best to shake a tree branch when collecting. It is undesirable to wash the inflorescences under water, as you can lose their beneficial properties. A mixture of water with sugar and lemon juice should be put on fire. When all the sugar has dissolved and the syrup boils slightly, you need to throw linden inflorescences into it. This syrup with flowers is left for 2 days. After this time, it must be filtered. Ready syrup has a light green transparent color. The product is poured into glass jars, taken in winter with tea for colds.
Tincture
Linden flower tincture helps with colds, improves mood, relieves insomnia and other ailments.
Ingredients:
- lime blossom (harvested away from busy roads and industrial plants);
- 1 l alcohol 95%;
- 1 liter of boiled water;
- 600-1000g sugar;
- 1 vanilla pod.
Cooking:
- Flowers should be placed in a jar, pour alcohol and 500 ml of water. Seal tightly and set aside for 3 weeks, shaking daily.
- After 3 weeks, the macerate should be strained through a sieve. Boil the remaining water with sugar, cool slightly, add to the macerate, mix and close tightly. Set aside to infuse for 6 months.
Linden tincture can be drunk 20-30 ml for the treatment of colds, coughs, during an influenza epidemic and beriberi. The tool should not be taken by people with heart disease, as it may worsen the patient's well-being.
