Linden

Tilia – Linden
Tiliaceae family

The raw material is the inflorescence of two species. The blooming flower heads are harvested together with bracts at the end of June (Tilia platyphyllos) or in July (Tilia cordata), when the weather is dry. It is to be dried in natural conditions (shaded and ventilated) or in drying rooms in max. 35° C.

Linden – appearance and origin:

There are two common species in Europe: the small-leaved linden Tilia cordata Mill. (syn. Tilia parvifolia Ehrh.) and the large-leaved linden, Tilia platyphyllos Scop. (syn. Tilia grandifolia Ehrh.).

The small-leaved linden is a common tree growing up to 25-30 m. The crown is dense, dome-like or rounded. The young shoots are bare. The leaves are widely ovate, heart-shaped at the base, long petioles, blue-green on the bottom. The flowers are rays, yellow-white, intense smell, erect, clustered in groups of 3-6 in a branched cymose. It blooms in July. The fruit is the dry, leathery nut, up to 8 mm in diameter, smooth or slightly ribbed, with a thin shell.

The large-leaved linden is less common than the small-leaved kind. The tree grows up to 40 m. The young shoots are pubescent. The leaves are up to 12 cm long, soft hairs on the bottom. The cymoses are made up of 2-5 light yellow, hanging flowers. It blooms in June. The fruit is a spherical or pear-like nut, with a hard, clearly ribbed shell.

The linden carbon (Tiliae carbo) is obtained from the trees Tilia cordata Mill. or Tilia platyphyllos Scop. It is used to treat food poisoning.

Tilia tomentosae (Tilia argentea) or the silver linden, with very fragrant flowers, is planted as an ornamental plant. The European Commission silver linden monograph states that it is used for respiratory catarrhs, as an antispasmodic, mucolytic, diaphoretic and diuretic.

Linden – effects and use:

The linden inflorescence contains flavonoids, mainly quercetin, kaempferol and acacetin derivatives, and also essential oil and mucosal compounds. Special attention should be paid to tiliroside with a structure of an ester glycoside, which is responsible for linden's anti-inflammatory activity. The raw material contains 0.02-0.05% of essential oil, which is mainly composed of farnesol (up to 5%) with a pleasant smell, small amounts of geraniol and eugenol and significant amounts of hydrocarbons. What is also important in medicine is the mucilage, from which, through hydrolysis, uronic acids (up to 40%), methyl-pentose (around 12%) and hexose (approx. 50%) are created. Other noteworthy substances include tannins, leucoanthocyanins, organic acids, triterpenes and phytosterol, mineral salts, caroten and ascorbic acid.

Linden as a diaphoretic

The linden inflorescence is traditionally used as a diaphoretic (diaphoricum) in illnesses with high body temperature. The diaphoretic activity is attributed to flavonoids. Aqueous extract increase sweat secretion, improve evaporation (transpiration) and breathing through the skin (perspiration). This activity is based on i.a. direct stimulation of sweat glands and to an extent on increasing their sensitivity to stimuli transmitted through the sympathetic system of the digestive system and female reproductive organs. The diaphoretic effect can be achieved by drinking infusions, but also by taking baths.

Linden – anti-inflammatory and protective properties

Ester glycoside – tiliroside and mucilage have anti-inflammatory activity. The mucus compounds exhibit a protective, coating and softening effect. It provides relief for coughing and a sore throat.

Linden as a sedative

Linden infusions are used for excessive nervous excitability, as they relieve nervous tension, especially in children, adolescents and the elderly. The sedative effect is exhibited by the essential oil in the linden inflorescence, especially one of its ingredients – farnesol.

Linden as a diuretic

The linden inflorescence also has a diuretic effect, thanks to terpenes contained in the essential oil. Increased urine output results from the irritation of renal tubules.

Linden as a choleretic and antispasmodic

The choleretic activity is related to linden's antispasmodic properites and not a direct effect on liver parenchyma. Infusions made from the linden flower head slightly reduce the contraction of smooth muscles, stimulate the secretion of gastric juice and increase the flow of bile to the duodenum. It facilitates digestion and food absorption.