Linden

Uses

Botanical names:
Tilia spp.

Parts Used & Where Grown

This tree grows in the northern, temperate climates of Europe, Asia, and North America. Many medicinal species of linden exist, with Tilia cordata and Tilia platyphyllos generally being the most available and studied. Regardless of species, the flowers are used as medicine. Though sometimes called lime flower, linden is not related to the familiar green lime fruit.

What Are Star Ratings?

This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

Used forWhy
2 Stars
Indigestion, Heartburn, and Low Stomach Acidity
Several cups of tea per day, made with 2 to 3 tsp of dried flowers per cup of hot water, for indigestion
Linden has a long tradition of use for indigestion. It has antispasmodic action and may help people who suffer from upset stomach or excessive gas.

Carminatives (also called aromatic digestive tonics or aromatic bitters) may be used to relieve symptoms of indigestion, particularly when there is excessive gas. It is believed that carminative agents work, at least in part, by relieving spasms in the intestinal tract.

has a long tradition of use for indigestion. Older clinical trials have shown that linden flower tea can help people who suffer from upset stomach or from excessive gas that causes the stomach to push up and put pressure on the heart (also known as the gastrocardiac syndrome.) The reputed antispasmodic action of linden, particularly in the intestines, has been confirmed in at least one human trial. Linden tea is prepared by steeping 2–3 tsp of flowers in a cup of hot water for 15 minutes. Several cups per day are recommended.

1 Star
Anxiety
Refer to label instructions
Linden is one of a group of “nerve tonic” (nervine) herbs used in traditional herbal medicine for people with anxiety, with few reports of toxicity.

Other nervines include oats (oat straw), hops, passion flower, American scullcap, wood betony, motherwort, pennyroyal, and .

1 Star
Common Cold and Sore Throat
Refer to label instructions
Linden may promote a healthy fever and the immune system’s ability to fight infections.

Boneset is another immune stimulant and diaphoretic that helps fight off minor viral infections, such as the common cold. In addition, and hyssop may promote a healthy fever and the immune system’s ability to fight infections. Yarrow is another diaphoretic that has been used for relief of sore throats, though it has not yet been researched for this purpose.

1 Star
Ear Infections
Refer to label instructions
An unpublished clinical trial found that linden tea was effective at speeding recovery and reducing complications such as ear infection in children with colds.

An unpublished clinical trial of children with colds found that tea, aspirin, and bed rest were more effective than antibiotics at speeding recovery and reducing complications such as ear infection. (Aspirin is no longer given to children due to the threat of Reye’s syndrome.) However, no research has yet confirmed the use of linden for preventing ear infections.

Traditional Use (May Not Be Supported by Scientific Studies)

Since time immemorial, the fragrant and tasty linden flowers have been used medicinally as a calming agent and to relieve indigestion, the common cold, and griping or colicky pain in the abdomen.1, 2 Many of these uses have been confirmed or partially confirmed in modern research.

How It Works

Botanical names:
Tilia spp.

How It Works

The major active constituents in linden are flavonoids, glycosides, and possibly a volatile oil. One study found that a complex mixture of compounds, primarily flavonoids, reduced anxiety in mice.3 Although used as a traditional herbal remedy for anxiety, these results have not been confirmed in human clinical trials. Older clinical trials have shown that linden flower tea can help people with mild gallbladder problems (but not gallstones), upset stomach or dyspepsia, and excessive gas that causes the stomach to push up and put pressure on the heart (also known as the gastrocardiac syndrome.)4, 5 Linden’s reputed antispasmodic action, particularly in the intestines, has been confirmed in at least one human trial.6

Linden flowers act as a diaphoretic when consumed as a hot tea. Diaphoretics induce a mild fever, thereby possibly helping promote the immune system’s ability to fight infections. The fever usually does not go very high because the diaphoretic also causes sweating, the body’s natural way of lowering its temperature. The German Commission E has approved linden flower for the treatment of colds and cold-related coughs.7

How to Use It

A tea of linden is prepared by adding 2–3 teaspoons (5–10 grams) of dried or fresh flowers to a pint (500 ml) of just boiled water. After steeping the flowers in a covered container for ten to fifteen minutes, sip the tea while it is still hot. During an acute problem, several cups can be taken daily for up to one week.8 For longer term use (three to six months), three cups (750 ml) per day can be used. A tincture or fluid extract of linden, 3/4–1 teaspoon (3–5 ml) three times daily, may alternatively be used.

Interactions

Botanical names:
Tilia spp.

Interactions with Supplements, Foods, & Other Compounds

At the time of writing, there were no well-known supplement or food interactions with this supplement.

Interactions with Medicines

As of the last update, we found no reported interactions between this supplement and medicines. It is possible that unknown interactions exist. If you take medication, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a new supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.
The Drug-Nutrient Interactions table may not include every possible interaction. Taking medicines with meals, on an empty stomach, or with alcohol may influence their effects. For details, refer to the manufacturers’ package information as these are not covered in this table. If you take medications, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.

Side Effects

Botanical names:
Tilia spp.

Side Effects

Statements that overuse of linden can cause heart problems9 lack scientific merit. Both the German Commission E monograph and the American Herbal Products Association’s guide on herbal safety state that linden has no toxic effects.10, 11 In fact, linden is considered safe for use in children12 and there are no known reasons to avoid it during pregnancy and breast-feeding.

References

1. Wren RC, Williamson EM, Evans FJ. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations. Essex, UK: Saffron Walden, CW Daniel Co, 1988, 171.

2. Duke JA. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1985, 485-6.

3. Viola H, Wolfman C, Levi de Stein M, et al. Isolation of pharmacologically active benzodiazepine receptor ligands from Tilia tomentosa (Tiliaceae). J Ethnopharmacol 1994;44:47-53.

4. Fiegel VG, Hohensee F. Experimental and clinical screening of a dry, water extract of tiliae libri. Arzneim Forsch 1963;13:222-5 [in German].

5. Sadek HM. Treatment of hypertonic dyskinesias of Oddi's sphincter using a wild Tilia suspension. Hospital (Rio J) 1970;77:141-7 [in Portuguese].

6. Langer M. Clinical observations on an antispastic factor extracted from Tiliae silvestris alburnum. Clin Ter 1963;25:438-44 [in Italian].

7. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Austin: American Botanical Council and Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, 163.

8. Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum and Beaconsfield, UK: Beaconsfield Publishers, 1985, 227-8.

9. Tyler VE. The Honest Herbal--A Sensible Guide to the Use of Herbs and Related Remedies. Philadelphia: George F. Stickley, 1982, 263.

10. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Austin: American Botanical Council and Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, 163.

11. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A (eds). American Herbal Product Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1997, 116.

12. Bove M. An Encyclopedia of Natural Healing for Children and Infants. New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing, 1996, 234-5.

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