Properties of linden flowers used in folk medicine

Linden is magnificent for its appearance, longevity and gifts that people have enjoyed for many centuries. Properties of linden flowers have long been known for their amazing healing effects.

The linden tree itself reaches a height of up to 30 meters, lives 300 - 400 years, standing out among other trees with a slender trunk covered with olive or red-brown bark and a beautiful thick crown. Linden begins to bloom at the age of twenty in natural conditions, in plantations - only at the age of 30.

For medicinal purposes in linden all parts are used, starting with flowers and leaves, ending with buds, bark and seeds. The properties of linden flowers allow us to call them the richest source of nectar.

In warm weather, collecting flowers with bracts lasts about 10 days, in cool weather - 15. Flowers cannot be dried in the sun. The finished raw material has an aromatic smell, a sweetish and slightly astringent taste. Dry linden blossom contains tannins, carotene, glycosides, vitamin C, phytoncides, and traces of essential oil. It is the alcohol farnesol, which is included in the essential oil, gives a pleasant smell to linden flowers.

The properties of linden flowers have long been used in the manufacture of ancient effective remedies for colds. In addition, linden blossom is a strong anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, expectorant, diuretic, sedative, bactericidal, antispasmodic, choleretic, analgesic.Preparations containing linden blossom improve digestion; poultices made from them are used for rheumatism of the joints and gout. Steamed linden flowers in the form of a paste make compresses for hemorrhoids.