Tilia europa, Tilia cordata, Tilia platyphyllos (Lime Flower, Linden Tree)

Family: Tiliaceae

Part Used: Flowers

Active Constituents:

Flavonoids (hesperidin, quercitin), mucilage (arabino-galactans), phenolic acids (chlorogenic and caffeic), tannins, volatile oils (farnesol)

Medicinal Actions:

Anxiolytic, anti-spasmodic, antiseptic, diaphoretic, hypotensive, sedative

Medicinal Uses:

Tilia is indicated as a hypotensive agent when the hypertension is secondary to atherosclerosis or associated with anxiety. The cardiovascular effects are due to the volatile oils and to the flavonoids. It is a mild hypotensive, so is usually combined with other hypotensive agents like Rauwolfia, Viscum, Viburnum, etc. It also has a marked anxiolytic action, reducing any physiological symptoms that appear secondary to anxiety. Examples include tension headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety associated with the peri-menopause or PMS and insomnia.

Tilia is also useful for its diaphoretic action. It is used in cold and flu formulas for this action and also because it reduces post nasal drip, pharyngeal inflammation, and cough in colds and flu. One of my favorite combinations for this purpose is Tilia, Sambucus and Achillea, taken as an infusion.
This plant has relaxing, calming and in higher dose, even sedative properties so is useful when treating patients experiencing strong emotions that influence their health in a negative way.

Toxicity: None known

Pharmacy:

Infusion (fresh flowers): 1 heaping tsp/cup H2O Hs, TID or 6 X QD

Infusion (dried flowers): ½ tsp/cup H2O Hs, TID or QID

Tincture (1:1, 1:5): 1 – 4 ml TID