Linden Flowers Tea – Nutritional Value, Health Benefits, Recipes

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Linden Flowers Tea is made by brewing the dried flowers, and sometimes the leaves and bark, of the Linden tree. This tree is part of the Tilla genus, and it mostly grows in temperate climates like northern Asia, Europe, and North America. Linden tea not only tastes great and has a wonderful aroma, but also has been used for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years. Some of the benefits associated with drinking Linden tea include:

  • reducing inflammation and pain
  • alleviating stress and anxiety
  • lowering blood pressure

The benefits of drinking linden tea include boosting the immune system, preventing chronic disease, relaxing the body and mind, soothing inflammation, detoxifying the body and improving digestive efficiency, protecting heart health, and relieving painful periods. This tea also has a few mild side effects such as skin irritation or minor allergic reactions for those who are sensitive to the plant.

Linden leaf is used for colds, stuffy nose, sore throat, breathing problems (bronchitis), headaches, fever, and to make it easier to bring up phlegm by coughing (as an expectorant). It is also used for the rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, excessive bleeding (hemorrhage), nervous tension, trouble sleeping (insomnia), problems with bladder control (incontinence), and muscle spasms. Linden leaf is also used to cause sweating and increase urine production.

Linden wood is used for liver disease and gallbladder disease, and for infection and swelling beneath the skin (cellulitis). Charcoal made from linden wood is used for intestinal disorders.

Some people apply linden directly to the skin for itchy skin, joint pain (rheumatism), and certain lower leg wounds (ulcus cruris) caused by poor blood circulation.

Other Name

Basswood, Bois de Tilleul, European Linden, Feuille de Tilleul, Feuille Séchée de Tilleul, Fleur de Tilleul, Fleur Séchée de Tilleul, Hungarian Silver Linden, Lime Blossom, Lime Flower, Lime Tree, Linden Charcoal, Linden Dried Flower, Linden Dried Leaf, Linden Dried Sapwood, Linden Flower, Linden Leaf, Linden Sapwood, Linden Wood, Silver Lime, Silver linden, Tila, Tilia argentea, Tilia cordata, Tilia europaea, Tiliae flos, Tiliae folium, Tilia grandifolia, Tiliae lignum, Tilia parvifolia, Tilia platyphyllos, Tilia rubra, Tilia tomentosa, Tilia ulmifolia, Tilia vulgaris, Tilleul, Tilleul à Feuilles en Cœur, Tilleul à Grandes Feuilles, Tilleul à Petites Feuilles, Tilleul d’Europe, Tilleul d’Hiver, Tilleul des Bois, Tilleul Mâle, Tilleul Sauvage, Tilo.

What is Linden Tea?

Linden tea is derived from the leaves of the linden tree, also commonly known as the lime tree, scientifically known as Tilia cordata. This herbal remedy has been popular and trusted for centuries, and remains a go-to treatment for a number of basic health conditions. This tea is often called linden flower tea, as the flowers are used to prepare it, not the leaves. This is how the majority of herbal teas are prepared. The many health benefits of linden tea can be attributed to the impressive range of antioxidants and active ingredients, including phytochemicals, flavonoids, quercetin, and coumarin, along with limited amounts of other essential vitamins and minerals. [rx]

For hundreds of years, people have used parts of the linden tree, particularly the leaves, flowers, wood, and bark for medicinal purposes, including as a calming agent and sedative. Tinctures, teas, and other beverages may call for ingredients from one of two different linden trees: Tilia cordata, the small-leafed European linden (also known as a winter linden), or Tilia platyphyllos, also known as the summer linden.

Besides its medicinal uses, linden tea is also known for its agreeable taste. The tea can be consumed hot or cold and has a strong sweet and floral flavor

Linden Tea Properties

Mythical folk stories are one thing; the science behind Linden Tea benefits another altogether. Indeed, when it comes to its health potential, there is irrefutable evidence.

We now know without a doubt that this Tea contains a wealth of vitamins, minerals, and other antioxidants capable of improving your life in small yet significant ways. This includes the following Linden Flower Tea properties:

Why Linden Tea is Good for You

Alanine Caffeic Acid Citral
Chlorogenic Acid Cysteine Cystine
Eugenol Kaempferol Limonene
P-Coumaric Acid Quercetin Rutin

But what, exactly, can these chemical compounds do? How can they support your health and wellbeing during your daily routine? If you’re interested in discovering more, please keep reading our “Linden Tea benefits” section below.

We have compiled the latest evidence, which in turn comes from only the most reputable scientific studies, showcasing its finer qualities.

This healthful beverage is made from the flowers of the linden (lime) tree, which belongs to the Tilia genus. It’s packed with amino acids, volatile oils, saponins, tannins and flavonoids, such as quercetin and kaempferol, reports the European Medicines Agency.

Linden Tea Health Benefits

You should drink linden tea if you are struggling with anxiety, chronic stress, depression, high toxicity levels, fever, high cholesterol, intense menstrual cramps, a weak immune system, oxidative stress, muscle aches or joint disorders. Let us look at the most important health benefits of linden tea.

  • Anxiety and Depression – Some of the essential oils that are released when this tea is brewed can have positive effects on stress and anxiety levels. These natural relaxing qualities can lower the number of stress hormones in the body, which can reduce strain on the heart and metabolism, and soothe oxidative stress as a result of inflammation. This mood-boosting property can also aid those with depression. [rx]
  • Inflammatory Conditions – The compounds found in linden tea have strong anti-inflammatory effects throughout the body, ranging from muscle aches and joint disorders to inflammation in the blood vessels and respiratory tracts. This full-body impact of this herbal tea means that your immune system has time to rest and repair, while also relieving pain and discomfort in multiple organ systems. [rx]

For example, a July 2017 in-vitro study featured in PeerJ assessed the antimicrobial effects of 31 herbal teas. Only 15 samples have been proven effective against one or more microorganisms. Linden flower tea did not show any activity.

  • Menstruation – Linden tea has anti-spasmodic and soothing qualities, making it particularly valuable for women who suffer from painful periods. Dysmenorrhea is extremely common, but a relaxing cup of linden tea can counter those symptoms, while also improving mood swings and hormonal fluctuation. [rx]
  • Immune System – Aside from the immune-boosting properties of linden tea’s antioxidants, the diaphoretic nature of this tea can also break fevers and promote faster recovery. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory compounds in linden flowers are known to soothe tissues of the respiratory tract, making it easier to expel mucus and phlegm, and eliminating some of the most common symptoms of colds and cases of flu, such as sore throats and congestion. [rx]
  • Digestion – The anti-spasmodic quality of linden tea will help to settle upset stomachs and lower levels of inflammation in the gut. This will lead to more normal bowel movements and function of the smooth muscle in your digestive tracts, while also soothing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, flatulence, ulcers, and diarrhea. [rx]
  • Heart Health – Linden tea can impact heart health in a number of ways beginning with lowering inflammation in the blood vessels and arteries. Following this, the antioxidants are able to lower blood pressure and prevent blood clotting, significantly lowering the risk of atherosclerosis or blood clots. Together, this can reduce your chances of suffering a heart attack, stroke or coronary heart disease. However, due to the cardiotoxic nature of certain compounds in linden tea, if you have a history of heart disease, you should avoid drinking this herbal remedy. [rx]
  • May promote relaxation – Sitting down to enjoy a warm cup of tea can be a comforting ritual on its own. Although, linden tea goes beyond the comforts of an everyday mug of tea. Its steeped sweet flowers have been used in folk medicine to promote relaxation and relieve symptoms of anxiety, and some studies seem to support these claims (rx). One mouse study found that extracts from the buds of Tilia tomentosa, a kind of linden tree, had strong sedative properties (rx). Researchers concluded that this linden extract mimicked the activity of gaba-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a brain chemical that inhibits excitability in the human nervous system (rx). Thus, linden tea may promote relaxation by acting like GABA. Still, more research is needed to learn exactly how this happens (rx).

Linden tea may promote relaxation by inhibiting your ability to become excited. However, human research on this effect is lacking.

  • May help fight inflammation – Chronic inflammation can contribute to the development of many conditions, including type 2 diabetes and cancer (rx . Antioxidants are compounds that help fight inflammation, potentially lowering your risk of disease. Flavonoids are a type of antioxidant in Tilia flowers, whereas salidroside, quercetin, and kaempferol are specifically associated with linden buds (rx, rx, rx, rx). Tiliroside is a potent antioxidant that acts by scavenging free radicals in your body. Free radicals can cause oxidative damage, which can lead to inflammation (rx, rx, rx). Kaempferol may fight inflammation as well. Plus, some studies show that it may provide cancer-fighting properties (rx). As the amount of these antioxidants may vary by brand and tea blend, more research is needed to determine how much linden tea you would need to drink to reduce inflammation.

Linden tea contains powerful antioxidants like tiliroside and kaempferol that help fight inflammation. Chronic inflammation is associated with many diseases, including diabetes and cancer.

  • May reduce mild pain – Chronic pain affects millions of people around the world. In 2016, 20% of U.S. adults experienced it. Interestingly, some of the antioxidants in linden tea may ease pain (rx). One study found giving 45.5 mg of salidroside per pound (100 mg per kg) of body weight to mice with swollen paws reduced swelling and pain by nearly 27% and 31%, respectively (rx). Another 8-week study in 50 women with rheumatoid arthritis, which is characterized by painful and stiff joints, found that supplementing with 500 mg of quercetin, an antioxidant in linden tea, significantly improved pain symptoms and markers of inflammation (rx,  rx, rx). However, keep in mind that 500 mg of quercetin is a lot. Adults in the United States consume 10 mg of this antioxidant daily, on average, though this number varies greatly depending on your diet, with 80 mg per day being considered a high intake (rx, rx). The amount of quercetin or other flavonoids in linden tea differs greatly depending on the brand and the proportions of buds, leaves, and bark in a particular blend. As a result, it’s impossible to know how much of these antioxidants you may be getting in a single cup of tea. Additional research is needed to determine how much of this beverage is needed to relieve pain.

Tiliroside and quercetin — two antioxidants in linden tea — may help reduce pain. Still, more research is needed to determine how much of the tea you would need to drink to reap this potential benefit and whether the amount would be safe.

  • May have diuretic effects – The inner bark of the Tilia tree has been associated with diuretic and diaphoretic effects. A diuretic is a substance that encourages your body to excrete more fluid, while a diaphoretic is a substance that’s used to cool a fever by encouraging sweat (rx, rx). Linden tea has been used in folk medicine to promote sweating and productive coughs when a minor illness like a cold takes hold (rx). In Germany, 1–2 cups (235–470 ml) of linden tea at bedtime is approved for use as a sweat-promoting infusion in adults and children over 12 years old (rx). These effects may be caused by the combination of its plant compounds, specifically quercetin, kaempferol, and p-coumaric acid. At this time, scientific evidence directly linking linden tea and its chemical properties to diuretic effects is insufficient (rx). The bulk of the available data regarding this association is anecdotal, though it spans back to the Middle Ages. Thus, this purported health benefit warrants further investigation (rx).

Linden tea has been used in folk medicine to promote sweating and is thought to be a diuretic. However, scientific research to explore these claimed effects is warranted.

  • Linked to lower blood pressure – Some of the plant components in linden tea, such as salidroside, rutoside, and chlorogenic acid, are thought to lower blood pressure (rx, rx, rx, rx). One mouse study found that salidroside, an antioxidant in linden tea, affected calcium channels in the heart. Calcium plays a role in your heart’s muscular contractions (rx, rx, rx). Mice were injected with doses of 0.45, 2.3, and 4.5 mg of the antioxidant per pound (1, 5, and 10 mg per kg) of body weight. As a response, systolic blood pressure (the top number of a reading) decreased (rx, rx, rx). This may help explain why linden tea has been used to reduce blood pressure in folk medicine. Yet, this effect is not yet fully understood and needs further scientific investigation. Linden tea should never be used to replace heart medications.

Folk medicine has used linden tea to lower blood pressure. The mechanism behind this effect is unknown and needs to be studied further.

  • May help you sleep – Sleep quality and duration significantly affect your health. Linden tea is readily used in folk medicine to promote sleep. Its plant compounds have strong sedative properties, which may encourage relaxation that leads to sleep (rx, , rx). One mouse study found that extracts from Mexican Tilia trees caused sedation. Researchers believe that the extract depressed the central nervous system, causing drowsiness (rx, rx). Still, more research is needed to explore the relationship between linden tea and sleep.

Linden tea promotes sleep, but how it exerts this effect is limited to anecdotal evidence. More research is needed to understand the relationship.

  • Soothes your digestive tract – Like any hot tea, linden tea delivers gentle heat and hydration. Both soothe your digestive tract, as water can help food move through your intestines. Folk medicine touts the use of linden tea in times of stomach discomfort. In one small study in children with antibiotic-resistant diarrhea, salidroside showed potent antibacterial properties. While this antioxidant was extracted from a different flower, it’s found in linden tea as well (rx). That said, no evidence directly links the compounds in linden tea to an ability to soothe an irritated digestive tract.

In times of gastric distress, linden tea may soothe your digestive system. Tiliroside, one of its plant compounds, has been shown to help fight infectious diarrhea. Still, more research is needed on linden tea specifically.

  • Easy to add to your diet – Adding linden tea to your diet is easy. Given that it can promote relaxation and sleep, it may be a good idea to drink a cup before bedtime. You can enjoy on its own or with a wedge of lemon and a dollop of honey. You can even steep a few bags of linden tea overnight in room-temperature water and drink it as iced tea in the summertime. If possible, it’s a good idea to steep your tea leaves without a filter bag. Studies have found that this helps retain more of their antioxidants (rx).

Provides Antioxidants and Other Beneficial Compounds

Studies have identified many health-promoting chemical constituents within linden trees, including:

  • Flavonoids, such as kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin, and glycosides.
  • Volatile oils, including alkanes, phenolic alcohols and esters, and terpenes, including citral, citronellal, citronellol, eugenol, limonene, nerol, and α-pinene.
  • Other constituents, such as saponins, tannins, and tocopherol.
  • Amino acids, including alanine, cysteine, cystine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, and serine.
  • Carbohydrates in the form of mucilage polysaccharides, including arabinose, galactose, rhamnose, and others.

While it’s a source of many antioxidants, research shows it’s especially high in flavonoids, teniposide, quercetin, and kaempferol. These compounds have been shown in many studies to offer protection against free radical damage and oxidative stress, which can damage cells. Higher intake of these chemicals can also help support eye, heart, and skin health and may generally reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases.

Rich in bioactive compounds, these beverages possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. They are a good source of flavonoids, carotenoids, polyphenols and other antioxidants, according to a review published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine in October 2018.

Side Effects of Linden Tea

There are very few side effects of linden tea but for people with certain conditions, the use of this tea can be dangerous.

  • Pregnancy – There has been a very limited amount of research done on the effects of linden tea during pregnancy, but due to the high levels of volatile compounds and antioxidants, it is not recommended for use. The effects it can have on painful menstruation may also increase the risk of miscarriage or premature labor. Similarly, for breastfeeding mothers, drinking this tea could pass along certain potent chemicals that your infant doesn’t need.
  • Allergies – In rare cases, contact dermatitis can occur when brewing linden tea, and mild allergic reactions in the stomach or mouth may occur. If you are allergic to other plants in the Tilia genus, using this tea is not recommended.
  • Heart Conditions – Some of the active ingredients in linden tea may have cardiotoxic properties, so if you are already suffering from or have a history of heart disease, you should avoid this tea. [rx]

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for

  • Sleep disorders (insomnia).
  • Headaches including migraines.
  • Problems with bladder control (incontinence).
  • Excessive bleeding (hemorrhage).
  • Itchy skin.
  • Painful swelling of joints (rheumatism).
  • Bronchitis.
  • Cough.
  • Spasms.
  • Bloating.
  • Causing sweating.
  • Other conditions.

How to Make Linden Tea?

If you want to brew linden tea at home, all you need is dried linden flowers, hot water, and a bit of sweetener for flavor, although the tea already has a natural sweetness to it. Fresh linden flowers can also be used but dried flowers are more widely available, particularly from an herbalist or natural health practitioner.

Recommended dose

I recommend drinking two glasses of linden tea a day. The infusion should be prepared from 2-4 g of herbs. The dose should be divided into two portions. Attention! Larger amounts may have an adverse effect on the heart.

Surprisingly, linden flower tea also contains caffeine, despite being promoted as a natural sleep aid. However, one cup has no more than 226 micrograms of caffeine (0.226 milligrams), so it’s unlikely to affect your sleep. Brewed green tea, by comparison, provides 25 to 29 milligrams of this compound per cup.

Soothing Linden Tea Recipe

Linden tea is popular in folk medicine as a calming brew that can soothe anxiety and help with digestive problems. It has a sweet, pleasant taste, which is surprisingly strong.
  • Course: Tea
  • Cuisine: American
  • Keyword: Linden Tea
  • Appliance: Tea Strainer, Pot
  • Cook Time: 3 minutes
  • Steeping time: 15 minutes
  • Servings: 1 cup

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp dried, powdered linden flowers or
  • 2 tsp fresh linden flowers
  • 1 cup water filtered
  • 1 tsp organic honey optional

Instructions

  • Bring the water to a boil in a small pot.
  • Add the linden flower powder to the water.
  • Allow the powder to boil for 1 minute and then remove the pot from heat.
  • Let the mixture steep for 12-15 minutes.
  • Strain this mixture, add any sweetener, and enjoy!

Linden Flower Tea

Should you drink Linden Tea during pregnancy? Most importantly, is it safe? Possibly. Few specific studies appear to exist making a case either for or against its consumption while expecting.

However, it is sometimes best to err on the side of caution. The same rules likewise apply to breastfeeding mothers. We recommend, as a result, that you speak to your midwife if you have any uncertainty.

A worthwhile alternative, despite also being a Herbal Tea, is that of Raspberry Leaf Tea (during the third trimester ONLY). The evidence here is that this particular infusion could come with scientifically proven pregnancy benefits. Specifically, mothers-to-be choose it for toning the muscles of the uterus, which then helps while in labor.

Linden Flower Tea Caffeine

Does Linden Tea contain caffeine? This stimulating chemical compound famously gets us out of bed in the morning. While it exists in “real” Tea, as well as Fresh Coffee, this particular infusion is 100% caffeine-free.

But is this a good thing or a bad thing? It very much depends on your perspective – and, ultimately, what you want out of your morning cuppa.

This beverage is undoubtedly a great choice for those who’re sensitive to the effects of caffeine, as well as anyone looking to cut down their intake.

It is indeed one of the reasons why pregnant women choose to drink it – although, as mentioned above, you may want to think twice. Yet if you’re in need of an extra energy boost, the better option is, perhaps naturally so, a caffeinated Tea. We can help either way.

How to Make Linden Flower Tea

And there you have it: Linden Tea benefits and side effects backed by modern science. If you’re thirsty for more, all we can recommend is that you buy it and brew it today.

We stock a loose-leaf variety, meaning you’ll also need a Tea Infuser or Filter before you can start (we have you covered here, too). Once you have these items to hand, just follow the instructions below.

1. Use a Tea Filter / Infuser.

  • Put Loose Tea into one of our Filters or Infusers.

2. Boil the kettle.

  • Put the kettle on, making sure the water is fresh. This will ensure better oxygen levels and, ultimately, better Linden Flower Tea taste.

3. Put the Filter or Infuser into a cup.

  • A porcelain mug has the least influence on the taste.

4. Add freshly boiled water to your cup.

  • Fill your cup or mug with the water from the kettle.

5. Allow it to Infuse / Steep.

  • Let it brew for 5-10 minutes. The longer you leave it, the stronger it tastes.

6. Consider a choice of additions.

  • Some people add honey or lemon, although it tastes best without any accompaniments.

Conclusion

We have explored “what is Linden Tea?” from its botanical features to its extraordinary health benefits. Questions answered have included “does Linden Tea help anxiety?”, “is Linden Flower Tea for sleep beneficial?”, and “does Linden Tea have caffeine?”

From Where To Buy

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References

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36 thoughts on “Linden Flowers Tea – Nutritional Value, Health Benefits, Recipes”

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