From time immemorial, linden flowers have been famous for their healing properties. They allow you to cope with a runny nose and sore throat. Linden tea should be drunk when the first symptoms of a cold appear. In addition to the treatment of colds, the plant raw materials of the tree are used for skin care.
Plant characteristics
Linden is a durable deciduous tree belonging to the family Malvaceae. It 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 is small-leaved linden (Tilia cordata Mill.) And large-leaved linden (Tilia platyphyllos Scop.).
In favorable conditions, the tree grows 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 smooth bark, greenish bloom. The stem is simple, at the middle of the height begins to branch. The leaves are rounded, heart-shaped with a serrated edge, slightly asymmetric. Light yellow flowers collected in umbrella inflorescences exude a strong honey aroma. Bees love linden because of their precious nectar. Linden honey is considered the best product for beekeepers.
The medicinal raw material is the inflorescence of linden. It should be torn along with the stalks and bracts in the form of a lanceolate leaf. Inflorescences are collected away from the main roads, best from places where the trees were not 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: healing 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 salts.
Plant sterols contained in linden inflorescences, the so-called phytosterols, have:
- antioxidant effect, due to which they neutralize free radicals and thereby counteract the formation of tumors;
- inhibit the formation of new blood vessels;
- can stop the development of cancer of the stomach, lungs, colon and prostate;
- affect the reduction of bad cholesterol and provide increased excretion of its excess from the body (flavonoids contained in linden flowers have a protective function: they protect cells from damage and, like phytosterols, have an antioxidant effect and strengthen blood vessels).
Vitamin C in linden blossom is a popular name for ascorbic acid. It helps in the fight against colds through the strengthening of the immune system, and, therefore, facilitates the course of the disease and reduces the effects of irritating symptoms. Promotes faster healing of wounds and a decrease in profuse bleeding. Ascorbic acid, along 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 synthesis of thyroid and pancreatic hormones and steroid hormones.
Slime from the flowers of linden tree has an expectorant and softening effect for inflammatory diseases of the throat and soothes a cough. Infusions of linden blossom have a diuretic effect, stimulate digestion due to increased secretion of gastric juices.
What helps lime color?
Linden color has 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.
Outwardly recommended for rinsing with inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity and pharynx.
Lime blossom and colds
It is no coincidence that linden is part of many syrups for sore throat. Our grandmothers also used linden flowers for colds. Medicines from them will soothe a sore throat, help get rid of hoarseness and cough, since the substances contained in the plant contribute to expectoration of sputum.
Tea made of linden blossom causes perspiration, due to which toxins are quickly eliminated from the body. Linden has a diuretic effect - which will accelerate this process.
Attention: the diaphoretic and diuretic effects of linden infusion can be very intense! Therefore, do not forget to drink a few additional glasses of mineral water during the day.
You should not wait until the common cold develops into something worse. As soon as you feel the first symptoms of the disease, immediately make tea from linden.
Linden and digestive problems
The benefits of linden flowers are also evident in 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 a relaxation of smooth muscle tension and increases the flow of bile. Protects thus from its stagnation and deposits of stones in the gall bladder.
Linden infusions should be used after heavy high-calorie foods. 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 gall bladder. Support treatment for diarrhea and poisoning.
Linden tea for insomnia 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 to reduce muscle tension and relieve fatigue caused by mental stress. Tea made from linden flowers will help relieve nervous tension and minimize the unpleasant effects of stress in the form of a decrease in concentration or excessive irritability.
Calming and relaxing the body leads to faster and easier falling asleep. In case of such problems, both linden infusions and baths with its addition are recommended. The effect of infusions from the plant is very soft and completely safe, so they can be used if necessary for children and the elderly.
The effect of linden on the skin
Since it was mentioned above that linden infusion can be used in the bathing process, we recall the external use of linden flowers.
Traditional medicine has always used the infusion of this plant for compresses, lotions, irrigation or ablution. It is important to note that linden not only helps the skin regenerate, but also tones and moisturizes it. When used in the care of the scalp, you can get rid of dandruff.
Linden infusion should be used in cases of itching of the skin, irritation, very strong inflammatory processes (for example, after insect bites). Some use the infusion from the plant to remove freckles or add it to face and hair masks.
How to make linden tea?
In order to extract medicinal properties from linden flowers, one should know how to brew them correctly. Here are the main recommendations when brewing tea:
- In a cup, you need to pour one tablespoon of dried linden inflorescence, pour a glass of boiling water. It is undesirable to cook inflorescences in water.
- Cover the cup and wait 20 minutes, allowing the tea to brew.
- After preparing the infusion, it is necessary to strain, squeeze the linden through a sieve, best of all 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.
Tea made from linden flowers is an excellent remedy for colds, skin problems and digestion. For colds, it should be used three times a day between meals.
Lime decoction
To prepare a decoction for external use, you need 8 tablespoons of inflorescences of linden tree pour 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 to rinse the mouth and throat or for bathing. The tool can be used to prepare a compress on the eyes. Gauze impregnated with broth or infusion is applied on closed eyelids. Linden color soothes the ailments associated with inflammation of the conjunctiva and eyelids, and also reduces swelling and dark circles around the eyes.
Recipe for a soothing linden bath
Mix 50 g of linden inflorescences, 30 g of chopped calamus rhizomes and 20 g of lavender flowers and heather flowers (or herbs). Pour herbs into 2 liters of boiling water and put in a water bath for 30 minutes, heat, without bringing to a boil. Strain and pour the infusion into a 1/3 bath filled with water at a temperature of 37-38 ° C. Bathing should last 15-20 minutes. After swimming, you should wrap yourself in a towel, go to bed and take warm cover.
Linden syrup
To prepare syrup from linden flowers for coughing, it is necessary 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 lemon. Flowers should be cleaned of insects, it is best to shake a tree branch when collecting. It is undesirable to wash inflorescences under water, since their useful properties can be lost. 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
Tincture of linden flowers helps with colds, improves mood, relieves insomnia and other ailments.
Ingredients:
- lime color (collected away from busy roads and industrial enterprises);
- 1 liter of alcohol 95%;
- 1 liter of boiled water;
- 600-1000 g of sugar;
- 1 vanilla pod.
Cooking:
- Flowers should be placed in a jar, pour alcohol and 500 ml of water. Close tightly and set aside for 3 weeks, shake daily.
- After 3 weeks, the macerate should be filtered through a sieve. Boil the remaining water with sugar, cool slightly, add to the macerate, mix and close tightly. Set aside for 6 months.
Tincture on linden can be drunk 20-30 ml for the treatment of colds, coughs, during an influenza epidemic and vitamin deficiency. The drug can not be taken to people with heart disease, as it can worsen the well-being of the patient.