| Linden |
|
| Botanical Name: |
Tilia cordata/Tilia platyphyllos |
| Common Names: |
Limetree |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Overview |
|
Linden (Tilia cordata/Tilia platyphyllos), an herb derived from
various species of Tilia, or lime trees, has been used in European folk
medicine for centuries to treat a wide range of health conditions. Today, the
relaxing action of linden makes it a popular remedy for treating headaches,
indigestion, nervous tension, and diarrhea. Lime trees are also valued for their
wood and charcoal, and for the flavorful honey made from their flowers.
|
|
|
| Plant Description |
|
The Tilia species, also known as basswood, grow in temperate climates
in the north. They are deciduous trees (leaves shed seasonally) that can grow to
a height of 90 feet and may live up to 1,000 years. Herbal linden flower
formulas typically call for either the Tilia cordata, the small-leafed
European linden also known as the winter linden, or Tilia platyphyllos,
the large-leafed, early-blooming summer linden. Both species are frequently
planted as ornamental trees along city streets. Depending on the species, their
fragrance ranges from potent and sweet to quite rich. The dried flowers are
mildly sweet and sticky, and the fruit is somewhat sweet, slimy, and dry. Linden
tea has a pleasing taste, due in part to the aromatic volatile oil found in the
flowers. |
|
|
| Parts Used |
|
The following parts of the Tilia are used in linden herbal
preparations: - Fresh and dried flowers
- Dried leaves
- Wood
|
|
|
| Medicinal Uses and Indications |
|
Different parts of the Tilia are used in treating specific conditions
and symptoms. - Flowers: colds, cough, bronchitis, infectious diseases, and headache
(particularly migraine), and as a diuretic (increases urine production),
antispasmodic (reduces spasm), and sedative
- Leaves: internal use—intestinal complaints;
external use—ulcers in the leg
- Wood: liver and gallbladder disorders, cellulitis (inflammation of the
body's connective tissue)
|
|
|
| Available Forms |
|
- Flower preparations, including teas
- Fluid extract
- Tincture
|
|
|
| How to Take It |
|
Pediatric Adjust the recommended adult dose to account for the child's weight. Most
herbal dosages for adults are calculated on the basis of a 150 lb (70 kg) adult.
Therefore, if the child weighs 50 lb (20 to 25 kg), the appropriate dose of
linden for this child would be 1/3 of the adult dosage. Adult The following are recommended adult doses: - Tea (infusion): 1 to 2 tsp flowers in 8 oz of water. Steep covered for
20 minutes. Drink three cups of hot tea per day.
- Fluid extract (1:1 in 25% ethanol), 3 to 4 mL per day taken in three
doses
- Tincture (1:5 in 30% ethanol) 4 to 10 mL per day taken in three doses
|
|
|
| Precautions |
|
Excessive use of linden flower tea may cause cardiac complications, so people
who have heart problems should avoid this plant. |
|
|
| Possible Interactions |
|
No noteworthy interactions (positive or negative) between linden and
conventional medications are known to have been reported in the literature to
date. |
|
|
| Supporting Research |
|
Benigni R, Capra C, Cattorini P. Piante Medicinali - Chimica. Farmacologia
e Terapia. Vol. 1,1962; Vol 2.1964; 2:1606-1614. Bézanger-Beauquesne L, Pinkas M, Torck M, Trotin F. Plantes Médicinales
des Régions Tempérées. Paris: Maloine S.A.; 1980. Bradley P, ed. British Herbal Compendium. Vol. I. Dorset (Great
Britain): British Herbal Medicine Association; 1992: 142-144. Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Therapeutic
Guide to Herbal Medicines. Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications;
1998: 163, 343. Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary. 25th ed.
Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders; 1974. Glasl H, Becker U. Flavonol-O-Glykoside: Photometrische Gehaltsbestimmung.
Disch Apoth Ztg. 1984; 124:2147-2152. Grieve M. A Modern Herbal. Vol. II. New York: Dover; 1971: 485-486.
Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Christof J. PDR for Herbal Medicines.
Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company; 1998: 1185-1187. Hildebrandt G, Engelbrecht P, Hildebrandt-Evers G. Physiologische Grundlagen
fur eine tageszeitliche Ordnung der Schwitzprozeduren. A Klin Med. 1954;
152:446-468. Kanschar H, Lander C. Welche Aussagerkraft besitzt die Quellungszahl (QZ) als
Wertbestimmungs-methode bei Tilliae flos DABS? Pharm Ztg. 1984;
129:370-373. Schmersahl KJ. Uber die Wirkstoffe der diaphoretischen Drogen des DAB 6.
Naturwissenschaften. 1964; 51:361. Schulz V, Hansel R, Tyler V. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physician's Guide to
Herbal Medicine. 3rd ed. Berlin: Springer; 1998. Thomson WA. Medicines from the Earth: A Guide to Healing Plants.
Alfred Van Der Marck ed. Maidenhead, England: McGraw-Hill Book company (UK);
1978:105. Tyler V. The Honest Herbal: A Sensible Guide to the Use of Herbs and
Related Remedies. 3rd ed. New York: Pharmaceutical Products
Press; 1993: 203-204. White L, Mavor S. Kids, Herbs, Health. Loveland, Colo: Interweave
Press; 1998. |
|
|
Copyright © 2003 OneMedicine
The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of
the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse
of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage
to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or
otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents
of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds
currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a
guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information
provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare
practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts)
regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications
before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed
herein.
|
|
|
|
