Littleleaf Linden - Tilia cordata

Habitat

• native to Europe

Habit and Form

• a deciduous medium to large tree

• typically 50' to 60' tall

• can reach 80' to 90' tall

• formal pyramidal or conical shape in youth

• ovate to gum-drop shaped when mature

• dense and compact branching

• branches are upright and spreading

Summer Foliage

• deciduous

• alternate leaf arrangement

• leaves are 1.5" to 3.5" long

• heart-shaped leaves

• leaf base is chordate or oblique

• leaf has short acuminate tip

• dark green and shiny above

• light green undersides of leaves

Flowers

• small, individual flowers in loose drooping clusters

• flower clusters with a leaf-like bract

• light yellow or creamy flower color

• blooms in late June and early July

• fragrant

• bees are attracted to the flowers

Fruit

• small round nut let 0.2' to 0.3" in diameter

• cream colour; pubescent

Bark

• ridges and furrows

• colour is gray-brown

Active Ingredients:

The flower of linden contains: flavonoids (tilirozidot, quercetin glycosides and kempferol), essential oil (geraniol, linalool, eugenol).

Usage:

The flower of linden is effective against cold and cough. In folk therapy, the linden is often used for diuretic, antispasmodic and sedative agent too.

The homeopathy uses the fresh flowers to cure infections with increased sweating and inflammations of the female genital. The linden coal, because its strong absorbent properties are used for diseases of the digestive tract. In addition, the coal produced from its wood, are used against gastric complaints, open, infected wounds, and also for toothpowder and talcum powder against skin disease.  

Tea: steep 2 teaspoons of dried linden in 2-3 dl boiling water for 10 minutes. Drink it hot for the sweating effect. Fomentation: steep 3 teaspoons of dried linden in 3 dl boiling water for 10 minutes.  Foment the patient's skin twice a day, use it lukewarm.

Flavonids found in the plant have anti-bacterial effect and are good for treating cold and cough.

Good to know:

Its overdose may confuse the temperature of human body. It lessens the symptoms caused by bronchitis. The plant’s mucilage stimulates the operation of our immune system.

Interesting fact:

Honey made from the lime flowers contains perfect sedative, antiseptic influence. Its use is advisable during flu and cold. Germans tribes considered it to be the tree of lovers and it symbolized fertility.

Sponsors:

Ministry of National Resources

University of Szeged

KEFAG Zrt.

Future of Europe Association