Linden: medicinal properties and contraindications. Lipa for weight loss

Linden is one of the most common deciduous trees in temperate latitudes. Since ancient times, this plant has been famous for its useful properties and was used by many peoples as a powerful and effective healing agent. The human health benefits of linden are so strong that even today, in the heyday of the pharmaceutical industry, linden is used to treat a wide variety of diseases.

The benefits of linden and its effect on the body

The bark, buds, bracts and inflorescences of linden are valuable medicinal raw material. The flowers and leaves of the tree contain glucose, bioflavonoids, carotene, phytoncides, trace elements, protein, tannin. The essential oil contained in linden flowers quickly spreads through the air, acting in a calming way on nervous system. That is why walking along linden alleys is of great benefit to human health. But the benefits of linden in teas, decoctions and infusions from flowers are most fully revealed.

Perhaps one of the best to use is a broom made from linden twigs. If you get sick, then linden blossom, as well as honey, will help with a cold. Lime blossom - excellent antispasmodic, diaphoretic natural remedy. It also helps with problems bladder and kidneys.

For complex sore throat, prolonged bronchitis, use infusions of flowers and linden bark. Linden infusion has a powerful expectorant effect and is able to relieve chronic cough. Besides, this remedy used to alleviate the condition of a person suffering from cancer.

Surprisingly, linden tea is a real anti-aging agent. You just need to wash your face with linden infusion in the morning, and your skin will not lose its natural elasticity and velvety for many years.

Thanks to the use of preparations from linden inflorescences, the flow of bile into the duodenum is normalized, the process of bile formation occurs more actively, secretion improves gastric juice, increased diuresis.

Tilia cordata Mill. - a large well-known tree from the linden family (Tiliaceae) with a slender trunk up to 25 m high and a wide crown. The bark is brown, smooth on young trunks and branches, on thicker ones - with furrowed cracks in the upper layer. Linden has a well-developed root system with a deep penetrating taproot, which makes it wind resistant.
The leaves are alternate, heart-shaped, 2 to 8 cm long and wide, at the apex they are drawn into pointed points, finely serrated along the edge of the plate, with well-defined venation, green above, glabrous, slightly bluish below, with tufts of yellowish-brown hairs along the veins. Leaf petioles are long, felt-pubescent, turning red by autumn. On coppice shoots, the leaves are much larger - up to 12 cm in length and width. Linden is distinguished by late blooming of leaves, it becomes almost the last green in our forests, at the end of May and even in June (only oak is dressed with foliage later than linden).
The flowers are yellowish-white, fragrant, up to 1 cm in diameter, collected 3-15 in corymbose inflorescences, equipped with a yellowish-greenish lanceolate leaf, up to half of its length fused with the axis of the inflorescence. Each flower has a 5-leaved calyx, a 5-petaled corolla up to 1 cm in diameter, many (up to 30) stamens fused into 5 bunches, a pistil with an upper 5-celled ovary, a short thick style and 5 stigmas. Linden blossoms in July (less often at the end of June), flowering lasts 2-3 weeks. Insects pollinate the flowers.
The fruit is a spherical nutlet 4-8 mm in diameter with a rather thin and fragile shell. The fruits ripen in September, but fall off the trees only in winter, when the trees are already bare. Entire inflorescences fall, which are carried by the wind, and the preserved bract serves as a sail. In winter, after thaws, when the snow is compacted and covered with a crust (infusion), the wind carries the linden seedlings over the crust like small ice gliders.
Linden reproduces in nature mainly in a vegetative way: layering and stump growth. In many linden forests, the entire stand is essentially of coppice origin. However, it is not in vain that the linden forms so many fruits; the seed way of renewal is not alien to it. In forests where there are at least single linden trees, linden shoots can almost always be found. Note, however, that not everyone will guess that the seedling with two leaves, the plate of which is strongly dissected, belongs to linden, these leaves are very different from those that hang on a tree.
The first 5 years of life, linden seedlings grow slowly, then growth accelerates, and from about 60 years it slows down again. At 130-150 years old, the linden reaches its maximum growth and practically does not increase in height anymore, but its crown and trunk thickness continue to increase even more. for a long time. Linden lives 300-400 years, individual trees are known that have lived up to 600 years.

Linden spread

Range of the heart-shaped linden- Europe and adjacent regions of Asia. It is widely distributed in the middle and southern strip of the forest zone and forest-steppe of the European part of Russia. Separate fragments of the range of this species are presented in Western Siberia(island linden forests in Kuznetsk Alatau and other places). It forms pure forests (lime forests), occurs as an admixture in broad-leaved and mixed forests, where other species, such as pedunculate oak, form the basis of the stand. It often makes up the second tier in oak forests and coniferous-deciduous forests. Demanding on soil fertility, does not tolerate waterlogging.
It is widely bred in urban plantings along the streets, in parks and squares, as well as in roadside plantations. Handles pruning well. In Moscow and other cities European Russia, along with the heart-shaped linden, large-leaved linden (Tilia platyphyllos Scop.) is widely represented in plantings, originally from Central Europe. It differs from our domestic linden in larger leaves and flowers, as well as earlier flowering (about 2 weeks).
Linden is an exceptionally shade-tolerant tree species, therefore it can grow even in the second tier of dense spruce forests. Shading does not interfere with her undergrowth. At the same time, the linden itself, which develops a large crown rich in leaf mass, gives a dense shade, which prevents the renewal of many trees and shrubs under its canopy.

Other related lime species

On the Far East meet native species lindens, equivalent in healing properties to heart-shaped linden, morphologically similar to it: Amur linden (Tilia amurensis Rupr.), Manchurian linden (Tilla mandshurica Rupr.), etc.

Economic use of linden

Like any tree species, linden has the widest use of wood. It is light, soft, and although not very suitable for construction, it is indispensable for the manufacture of many joinery products. From linden they make tubs, beehives, furniture, dishes, drawing boards. But it is especially appreciated by artists specializing in such an art form as woodcarving. Fanciful cornices, the thinnest images of fruits, flowers, cupids, which amaze us in the palaces of the 18th-19th centuries, are mostly carved from linden wood. And in churches, the salaries of icons often owe their pretentiousness to linden.
No matter how unusual it may seem, but the waste from the processing of linden wood in the form of sawdust, stumps, shavings can serve as livestock feed, as they contain a lot of starch. Naturally, before the waste is fed, it must be dried and ground into powder. Linden gives first-class charcoal.
Of no less interest to the national economy is the linden bark, or rather its inner part- lub. He goes to matting, mats, washcloths, various wickerwork. Bags made of lime matting in the 19th - early 20th centuries were the most common container in Russia. The bark of young linden trunks is called bast. Everyday shoes of the Russian peasant - bast shoes - for many centuries were made from bast. Ropes, all kinds of harness, various bags-purses were twisted from it. Roofs were covered with bark torn from old trunks.
It is difficult to find a person who does not know that linden is a wonderful honey plant. In places where there is a lot of it, despite the short flowering period, the bees manage to collect a plentiful bribe from linden trees - one bee family (clearly say - one hive) can prepare up to 5 kg of linden honey per day. And this honey is distinguished by transparency, unique aroma and taste, it is deservedly highly valued as a wonderful food and medicinal product.
Linden inflorescences (“linden blossom”) have long served as a surrogate for tea in Russia. They flavor alcoholic beverages. Young, freshly blossomed linden leaves are also used for food. Leafy linden branches are an excellent fodder for livestock. They are harvested in the summer, tied like brooms and hung under the roof of sheds and houses. In this state, they dry out, and in winter they are gradually fed.
It is impossible not to say about the beauty of linden trees. This breed has long been bred as an ornamental tree in Russian noble estates. Alleys were laid out of it, many of which have survived to this day, although they are already 150-200 years old. Now linden is lined with city streets and boulevards; it forms the basis of many parks.

Features of the harvesting of medicinal raw materials of linden

Gather Linden blossom during full bloom. The collection period is short, because linden blooms only 10-20 days. It is advisable, of course, to cut or pluck individual inflorescences so as not to damage the trees. But in practice, usually with garden shears on a long pole, they cut off the branches abundantly planted with flowers and pick off the inflorescences from them. With careful harvesting in this way, you can ensure minimal damage to the tree (you need to take only a part of the branches from each tree, while trying to cut the branches not entirely, but only their apical part). From one tree you can collect up to 1.5 kg of fresh inflorescences.
We remind you that under no circumstances should the harvesting of linden blossom be carried out on city streets and in roadside plantations, no matter how attractive blooming lindens look here. Air pollution from the exhaust of motor vehicles makes raw materials harvested along the roads and in plantings on the streets unsuitable either for treatment or for tea.
The collected raw materials should be dried without delay so that they do not turn black. Dry it in the air in the shade, in ventilated rooms, spreading thin layer on a clean bed. Do not overdry the inflorescences so that individual flowers do not crumble from them. Properly dried raw materials have a pleasant honey aroma.

Medicinal value of linden and methods of therapeutic use

Medical raw materials with the trade name "Linden flowers, or linden blossom" are inflorescences collected together with a bract. They contain essential oil, carotene, flavonoids, saponins, vitamin C and other substances.
In scientific and folk medicine, linden inflorescences are prescribed as a diaphoretic for the prevention and treatment of colds. They are part of the sweatshop fees. Linden infusion also has bactericidal properties, so it is effective in the form of rinsing the mouth and throat with various inflammatory diseases, prescribe it for sore throats (not bad to add 5 g of baking soda to a glass of warm broth).
excellent medicine is linden honey. Like linden tea, it is effective for colds, and is very useful for many other diseases and ailments.

At colds There are several ways to prepare an infusion of linden and a decoction for sweating. 10g (3 tablespoons) of raw materials are placed in an enamel bowl, pour 200ml (1 glass) of hot boiled water, close the lid and heat in boiling water (in a water bath) for 15 minutes, cool at room temperature for 45 minutes, filter, squeeze the remaining raw materials. The volume of the resulting infusion is adjusted boiled water up to 200 ml. The prepared infusion is stored in a cool place for no more than 2 days. Taken hot, 1-2 cups 2-Zraza a day after meals as a diaphoretic, diuretic and antimicrobial agent.

Two tablespoons of inflorescences are brewed like tea in 2 cups of boiling water, boiled for 10 minutes, filtered and drunk 2-3 cups hot at night.

One tablespoon per 1 glass of water, boil for 30 minutes. The solution obtained in this way also has antiulcer, desensitizing activity, stimulates the regeneration of soft tissues and the body's performance.
Linden blossom has long been known in folk medicine. From linden flowers you can make a wonderful drink with a pleasant aroma, beautiful golden color - linden tea, which has a healing effect: diaphoretic, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, emollient. Tea perfectly quenches thirst. Do not just go outside immediately after drinking tea.
Tearing flowers with narrow yellowish leaves, i.e. whole inflorescences, in dry weather in the morning. Dry in the oven or in the sun. Before brewing, dried lime blossom is lightly fried to improve the flavor bouquet. To increase perspiration, you can add the same amount of raspberries to the teapot.

Put equally 2 tablespoons of a mixture of lime blossom and raspberries in 1 cup of boiling water, boil for 5-10 minutes, strain. Drink hot in one go for flu and colds.
Healing hot 10% decoction of linden inflorescences together with honey or raspberry jam before bedtime.
Lime blossom has long been known in peasant life in Russia as a blood purifier, analgesic, sedative, diuretic and was used for rheumatism, gout, abdominal pain, kidney stone and gallstone colic, and inflammation of the female genital area.
The lime bark is crushed and taken with icy water, it cleans and moves the inside.
The juice is squeezed out of the pimples that are found on linden leaves, and thus we anoint bodily uncleanness, and the body will become taco and smooth.
Lime leaves, when they spread out again, boiled in wine and taken, any outflow (edema) of the interior will fall from it.

Ancient herbalists report that lime blossom is useful for hypochondriacs and people prone to stroke; Lime blossom tincture was used to cure "an old epilepsy".

Not everyone knows that lime blossom can heal and nervous diseases. Strong decoction - 5 tablespoons of crushed inflorescences per 0.5 l of water, boil for 30 minutes. - helps with neurosis, strong nervous breakdown, frequent fainting, convulsions.
But a clearer anticonvulsant effect has an alcohol tincture of linden inflorescences, which is prepared as follows:
Fill the jar to the top loose layer freshly dried inflorescences, without ramming them, and pour vodka to the very edge; insist 2-3 weeks. Take 7 teaspoons 3 times a day, and before going to bed increase the dose to 1 tablespoon. Unfortunately, stale lime color does not give the desired effect.

For children suffering from convulsions, it is more useful to give fresh linden juice, collected in early spring at the beginning of sap flow.
Linden has a disinfectant effect, so an infusion of inflorescences is used to rinse the mouth and throat with sore throat.

20 g lime blossom brew in 1 cup boiling water, cool to a temperature fresh milk, add 5 g of bicarbonate soda (soda is dissolved in a warm broth).

It is good to mix lime blossom with sage and chamomile equally, brew 1 teaspoon of the mixture with 1 cup of boiling water. Apply infusion every 2-3 hours.
Linden fruit powder stops bleeding from the nose and wounds.
For breasts, ulcers, burns, hemorrhoids, swollen joints, painkillers and anti-inflammatory poultices are effective.
in 2-4 tablespoons of linden leaves, scald with boiling water, wrap in gauze and put on a sore spot.
Lubricate or make compresses on the affected areas from fresh linden bast. It is good to apply to painful hemorrhoids.

Gruel from fresh leaves and leaf buds is used as an emollient.
From consumption, diathesis were treated with the inner layers of fresh linden bark, taking them inside. You can also drink mucous decoctions from the leaves or bark of linden.

Dried linden branches are burned at the stake or in the stove. Choose coal. Pounded, it is taken orally 3-4 teaspoons for bloating or diarrhea. In the treatment of tuberculosis, take 1 teaspoon of coal diluted with goat's milk.
Linden is known as a remedy for hair loss.

Eight tablespoons of lime blossom are poured into 0.5 liters of water and boiled for about 20 minutes. The resulting decoction is used to wash the head.

Masks and decoctions of lime blossom - indispensable tool when caring for dry skin. Linden decoction refreshes and tones it well. A concentrated warm decoction of linden can be added to any nutritious cream.

Take 2 teaspoons of nourishing cream for dry skin and mix with 2 teaspoons of concentrated hot decoction of various herbs and lime blossom. A warm mass is applied to the face and neck in the form of a mask.
It is very useful instead of washing to wipe the dry skin of the face with a cold infusion of lime blossom (from dry raw materials). In combination with honey, this procedure has a rejuvenating effect. In combination with dill greens, it tones up flabby, wrinkle-prone skin.

Recipes for clinical nutrition from linden

Linden seeds are very nutritious, they are consumed in the same way as hazelnuts or walnuts, from which oil is obtained, in quality close to olive oil, and in taste reminiscent of almond oil.
Fresh leaves are used to make salads, dried leaves are added to the dough.

Linden leaf and dandelion salad
Young linden leaves are washed, finely chopped and mixed with crushed dandelion leaves, green onions and dill. Seasoned with sour cream or vegetable oil. Linden leaves - 50 g, dandelion leaves - ZOg, green onions, greens
dill, 1 tablespoon sour cream or vegetable oil, salt.
Young leaves are dried and stored in paper bags. Dried leaves, ground into powder, are added to the dough for vitaminization.

Linden flower jam
The flowers are cut from the stalks, placed in a colander, washed with water and laid out in an enamel bowl. Syrup is prepared (400 g of sugar, 1 liter of water per 1 kg of flowers), boiled, filtered and the flowers are poured with boiling syrup until they are completely immersed in the syrup. For 5min. add to the end of cooking citric acid(3 g per 1 kg of flowers). The finished jam is packaged in sterile jars and cooled.

Linden is popularly called the unmercenary.
“Whoever approaches the linden tree will leave with goodness,
She will prepare a sheet - she will feed the cattle,
From the heat-rain will cover, the heart will calm.
The bee collects honey
The owner will leave with a broom,
Shoe, dress, drink, warm,
Wicked cold will drive away.
Whoever plants a linden, people remember him,
To that God prolongs life.
According to Raphael, lime is ruled by Jupiter, ruling planet for people born under the signs of Sagittarius and Pisces. According to Sedir, linden is ruled by the Moon and is healing for those born under the sign of Cancer.

Tilia cordata
Taxon: Malvaceae family ( Malvaceae)
Other names: small-leaved linden
English: Small-leaved Lime, Little-leaf Linden

The name comes from the Latinized Greek word tileia-, latin cord date- heart-shaped, which is associated with the shape of the leaves.

Botanical description of heart-shaped linden

Linden heart-shaped - a tree up to 20-25 m in height, with a large spreading crown. Dark, almost black, deeply fissured bark; young twigs are red-brown, usually glabrous. The leaves are alternate, long-petiolate, heart-shaped, blades 5-10 cm long, dark green, serrate above, with a long pointed apex, usually symmetrical, less often unequal, the width is almost the same as the length, the leaves are bluish-green below, with yellowish tufts. brown hairs at the nodes of the veins. Linden leaves bloom in May-June. The flowers are yellowish-white, fragrant, 10 mm in diameter, collected in 3-15 pieces in semi-umbrellas. Each inflorescence has a pale yellowish-green elongated-lanceolate thin bract about 6 cm long, fused with the peduncle up to half of its length. The fruit is a one-seeded nutlet, 4-8 mm in diameter, spherical, felt-pubescent, with a woody or leathery shell, brown; seeds broadly obovate, 4-5 mm long, shiny, red-brown. The heart-shaped linden blossoms in late June - in July, the fruits ripen in August-September.
Linden blossom lasts 2-3 weeks, even less in hot weather. The flowers are pollinated by insects, mainly bees. The fruits fall in winter as whole seedlings and are carried by the wind. In the first years, linden grows slowly, from 4-5 years old growth accelerates, from 60 years old it slows down again, and at 130-150 years old it stops completely. Linden life expectancy is 300-400 years, but individual trees live up to 600 years. It also reproduces by stump shoots, layering; in many forests, linden stands are entirely of sprout origin. Linden is exceptionally shade-tolerant, grows well next to oaks and coniferous trees. Has a well developed root system. The heart-shaped linden is demanding on soil fertility, does not tolerate waterlogging. Resistant to cold, due to the relatively late blooming of the leaves does not suffer from spring frosts. Every year fewer and fewer limes remain on Russian soil. In the forest, it is mercilessly cut down, and in cities, among the asphalt, it grows only about 60 years. But during this time it provides a great help to a person: for example, linden absorbs up to 16 kg of carbon dioxide in a year of its life - this is 1.5 times more than oak, and 5 times more than spruce.

Places of growth of linden heart-shaped

Various types of linden are common throughout Europe. The heart-shaped linden grows in the zone of mixed forests middle lane the European part of Russia, the western foothills of the Urals, Bashkiria, Western Siberia, the Caucasus, Moldova, the Crimea, Ukraine.

Collection and harvesting of heart-shaped linden

For therapeutic purposes, linden inflorescences (linden blossom) are used together with a bract - a fly.
The collection of flowers is carried out at a time when most of the flowers have blossomed, and the other part is still in the budding stage. Raw materials harvested in more than late time, when some of the flowers have already faded, it turns brown when dried, crumbles heavily and becomes unusable. From one young tree growing at the edge, you can collect 0.7-1.5 kg of fresh inflorescences. The raw materials are dried immediately after collection under a canopy, in a ventilated room, in an attic or in a dryer at a temperature of 40-50 ° C, spreading a layer of 3-5 cm. Readiness is determined by the fragility of the peduncles. Do not dry in the sun, as the raw material loses color. Humidity of raw materials is allowed no higher than 12%. Store in a dark, well-ventilated area. At proper storage raw materials do not lose their properties within 3 years.

The chemical composition of the heart-shaped linden

Linden flowers contain essential oil, which contains farnesol, hesperidin and tiliacin glycosides, saponins, flavonoid glycosides quercetin and kaempferol, tannins, vitamin C (31.6%), carotene.
Linden leaves are rich in protein, 131 mg/% vitamin C and carotene.
In fruits - about 60% fatty oil, close in quality to Provencal, and in taste - to almond or peach
In the linden bark, a triterpene substance was found - tiliadin and oil - up to 8%.

Pharmacological properties of linden heart-shaped

The healing properties of linden are associated with quercetin and kaempferol. Tiliacin is active. Linden preparations have a calming, diaphoretic, expectorant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, emollient effect, stimulate the stomach, and moderately reduce blood viscosity.

The use of heart-shaped linden in medicine

Linden preparations are used orally for increased nervous excitability, convulsions, pain in the chest, abdomen, with, chronic cough, accumulation of phlegm in the lungs, for abdominal pain caused by blockage of the liver, kidney disease, childhood infections, as an auxiliary diaphoretic for influenza and acute bronchitis, insomnia, externally for rinsing the mouth and throat in inflammatory diseases, for washing the face to give the skin elasticity.
Tea made from fresh or dried linden flowers antispasmodic, diaphoretic, expectorant, hypotensive, and depressant. . .
Linden tea is also used in the treatment of indigestion, hypertension, hysteria, nervous vomiting, and palpitations.

Medicinal preparations of linden heart-shaped

Lime blossom infusion: pour 2 cups boiling water 2 tbsp. l. crushed lime flowers, leave for 20-30 minutes. Drink as tea 2-3 cups a day for colds, headaches, fainting, for gargling with sore throats and oral cavity with inflammatory processes.
Gargle with a more concentrated infusion and wash your face to soften the skin of the face.
Unstrained infusion with steamed raw materials or young fresh leaves and buds are prescribed as compresses for inflammation hemorrhoids, breast, rheumatism, gout, burns.
Lime flower decoction prepared at the rate of 3-4 tbsp. l. crushed flowers in 2 cups of water, boil for 10 minutes, filter.
Lime wood charcoal. Charcoal made from linden wood is used for flatulence and diarrhea, in the treatment of gastric or dyspeptic disorders, powdered coal is externally used for burns or inflammation of the skin.
fresh linden leaves help with - they cover the head.

The use of linden inflorescences for cosmetic purposes

The slurry of brewed flowers is used as an emollient for poultices.
With dry skin, it is recommended to wash with a cold infusion of lime blossom. To refresh a tired face, make a facial compress. Brew lime blossom and mint tea, strain and reheat. Pour hot into a large bowl. Place a cup next to cold water, prepare two soft cloth napkins. Soak a washcloth in hot tea, wring it out, place it on your face and hold for two minutes, then change it with a second washcloth soaked in cold water. Change compresses 2-3 times, the last, cold, hold for 5 minutes.
Infusion of lime blossom: throw a handful of linden flowers into a glass of boiling water and leave it for 15 minutes, wrapping it warmly, add 1/4 tsp to the infusion. honey. Plentifully moisten the face and neck with infusion and hold for 10 minutes. Put the rest of the infusion in a cold place, repeat the procedure the next day. Shake before use. This wonderful tool helps to rejuvenate the face, become beautiful and attractive.
Lotion for dry skin: an infusion of linden flowers (1.5 tablespoons of flowers per cup of boiling water) mixed with 1 tsp. honey. Wipe your face instead of washing.
With flabby facial skin, it is useful to make a hot compress of lime blossom, hops, mint. Dried herbs are brewed with boiling water (1 tbsp. Collection per glass of water), leave for 15 minutes, strain. In a hot broth, moisten a linen cloth, squeeze lightly and apply to the face. Cool down - dip again in a hot solution, wring out and make a new compress. Repeat for 5-8 minutes.
Suspends hair loss decoction of lime blossom: 8 tbsp. l. lime blossom pour 0.5 liters of water and boil for 20 minutes. Cool, strain. Wash your hair with the resulting decoction.
For burns, a decoction of lime blossom is used (4 tablespoons of flowers pour 0.5 liters of water and simmer for 10 minutes). It is also possible for burns in the form of poultices to use a mushy mass of linden flowers.

The active time of the linden is from 2 to 6 o'clock. It rests from 6 to 7 o'clock. The energy of the linden is strong, soft. It causes a feeling of warmth and peace, relieves oppression and. It is best to communicate with linden in the afternoon, in summer and always in warm, dry weather.

The use of heart-shaped linden on the farm

Linden is the main honey plant of forests and parks in Russia. There are up to 17 million linden flowers per 1 hectare of linden forest with a total nectar reserve of more than 1.5 tons. good years one bee family takes up to 5 kg of honey per day from linden and up to 50 kg for the entire flowering time. According to your taste and healing qualities linden honey is considered the best.
In the Far East and Korea, the buds and young leaves are used after cooking in salads.
Fresh young linden leaves are suitable for preparing spring vitamin salads.
From the young shoots of linden (the softest and most tender tips of the branches - no more than 10 cm), you can cook porridge if necessary. The branches are cut into pieces of 2-3 cm, each piece is cut into several thin strips along the fibers, after which they are boiled in slightly salted water until completely softened.
Edible oil is obtained from linden fruits, which taste like nuts.
A paste of crushed flowers and unripe fruits is used to make a very acceptable quality chocolate substitute, however, the resulting chocolate paste is prone to decay and is therefore not marketed.
Linden blossom is widely used instead of tea, it has a sweet, pleasant aroma. Linden flowers are used to flavor alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
lime juice- harvested in spring, it is sweet and can be used as a drink or processed into syrup.
Linden wood is very light, white or creamy, easy to process. From it they make tubs, troughs, beehives, dishes, furniture, etc., they burn excellent quality coal. Waste wood containing a large number of starch, grind and feed to livestock. The bast (bast) goes to mats, matting, washcloths, and various weaving. Bags made of linden matting were in former times the most common container in Russia, and bast shoes made of bast were everyday shoes. villagers. Ropes were twisted from bast, harnesses, purses and other household items were made.

Used Books

1. Maznev N.I. Encyclopedia medicinal plants. 3rd ed. - M.: Martin, 2004
2.U.P. Hedrick, E. Lewis Sturtevant. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972. ISBN 978-0486204598
3. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Margaret Grieve Paperback, 1931
4.Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. 1995, ISBN: 978-0888503343
5. Edmund Launert. Guide to Edible and Medicinal Plants of Britain and Northern Europe. Hamlyn, 1989. ISBN-13: 978-0600563952
6. J. Triska. The Hamlyn encyclopedia of plants. Hamlyn, 1975
7. Uphof. JC Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants, Second edition. Cramer, Wiirzburg, 1968
8. Johnson, C.P. Useful plants of Great Britain. 1862
9 Jean Lauriault Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada. Fitzhenry and Whiteside, 1989

And why is everything fake, of poor quality called "fake"? Just look at the wonderful linden tree, which every year at the beginning of summer is covered with yellowish-white fragrant flowers, and wonder - where did this obvious injustice come from? In order to try to change public opinion in favor of the affected tree, we will tell you about amazing medicinal and cosmetic products from the flowers, leaves and bark of the beautiful linden.

Since ancient times in Russia, this tree was considered sacred. Lipa healed and dressed, saved in heat and cold. The Slavs considered the linden a tree of love and beauty, a symbol of the goddess Lada; main value tree - lime blossom. And indeed, linden blossom (and it usually occurs in June - July) invariably causes delight and tenderness. From the delicate linden inflorescences comes such a fragrance, from which the head is simply spinning. Bees love this tree immensely, fly over the golden lace, collect the most valuable nectar - crumbly lime. Golden yellow fragrant linden honey is one of the best. That is why the linden was nicknamed - "honey tree".

Latin name for lime tree – Tilia cordata Mill.
Linden family – Tiliaceae Juss.
Grows everywhere on the European territory of Russia, in Western Siberia, in the Crimea, Ukraine, Belarus.
Harvest lime blossom during flowering in dry and sunny weather. At a later date, raw materials lose their medicinal properties. Dry raw materials under awnings or in rooms with good ventilation (for example, in the attic of a house), spreading a thin layer on fabric or paper.

In this tree, all parts are healing: inflorescences (linden blossom), buds, leaves, fruits. Linden blossom has antipyretic, bactericidal, diaphoretic, analgesic properties. Infusion and decoction of lime blossom used as an antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agent for influenza, colds, bronchitis, neuralgia, cystitis, gout, neuroses.

Almighty linden tea
At night, if you feel unwell, brew 1-2 teaspoons. spoons of dried flowers with a glass of boiling water, drink the drink hot. This tea is an excellent antipyretic and diaphoretic, it helps with colds and flu, they also drink it when female infertility, rheumatism, neuroses. It is also useful to drink linden tea for hypertension, menopausal disorders, vascular crises. This drink helps profuse sweating, the release of chlorides (salts), lowering blood pressure.

Linden bark decoction used in the form of washes, lotions for burns, hemorrhoids. gout. Tree buds and leaves useful when skin diseases, headache. Crushed kidneys are used for burns, mastitis. Leaves are used for cooking vitamin drink, externally - with boils.
lime juice, like birch, is used for beriberi, 1-2 tables. spoons 3 times a day.
Linden leaf and seed powder used to stop nosebleeds.
Modern medicine also uses lime coal - in case of poisoning, diseases of the stomach and intestines. Coal from linden wood is used for 1 teaspoon. spoon 2-3 times a day nasty burp, flatulence, diarrhea, for the preparation of tooth powder.
lime tarfrom linden trunks and branches has bactericidal properties, is effective in the treatment of carbuncles, boils and ulcers of the skin, eczema, burns, abscesses, osteomyelitis.

Traditional medicine recipes

For colds, flu, headaches, tuberculosis, cystitis and pyelonephritis, articular rheumatism 3 table. spoons of lime blossom, brew 300 ml of boiling water, insist, wrapped for half an hour, strain and drink half a glass hot 2-3 times a day after meals. The same infusion is useful to gargle with sore throats and inflammations.
At chronic bronchitis 1 table. pour a spoonful of linden flowers with a glass of boiling water, wrap for an hour, strain, drink hot in a glass 2-3 times a day.
Linden decoction: 2-4 table. spoons of lime blossom pour 2 glasses hot water, boil in a water bath for 10 minutes, strain. Drink a decoction of half a glass 3-4 times a day for influenza, SARS, hypertension, neurosis, menopausal disorders, cystitis, cramps and pain in the urethra, headache, nephritis. You can also rinse your mouth with a decoction for sore throat, stomatitis, gingivitis, adding to the liquid baking soda.
Poultices: 2-3 table. boil spoons of linden leaves with boiling water, wrap in gauze and apply to sore spots as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent.
With mastitis 4-5 table. spoons of flowers, pour 2 cups of boiling water, let it brew for 30 minutes, apply hot compresses to the chest.
With tired legs, to strengthen blood vessels take hot baths sea salt and lime color.
For painful menstruation pour 1 table. a spoonful of dried linden flowers with 1.5 cups of water, bring to a boil, leave for 20 minutes, strain, add 2 tsp. tablespoons of honey, drink 1/2 cup 3 times a day.
Tincture: 20 g of linden flowers (this is about 6 tablespoons), pour 100 ml of 60% alcohol, insist in a dark place for two weeks, strain. Take 25-30 drops per table 2. spoons of water for neurosis, headache, convulsive cough, flu, colds, insomnia, neuralgia.

Lime Blossom Healing Wine
Take 3 handfuls of flowers (can be dry), sugar syrup (a glass of sugar per 4 liters of water), 1 lemon, wine yeast. Brew lime blossom in sugar syrup, add circles of lemon, you can with zest, pitted. Pour the cooled mixture into a fermentation bottle, add yeast. Cover the bottle with a cloth or gauze. Leave for a week. Then strain the mixture and leave to ripen with a fermentation stopper or, if fermentation is over, drain into a bottle. You can drink wine right away.

Medical fees with linden

Mix in equal parts linden flowers, flax seeds, crushed licorice and calamus roots (cinquefoil), peppermint and fennel leaves; 2 table. spoons of the collection pour 2 cups of boiling water, leave for 2 hours, strain. Take half or a third of a glass slowly, in sips half an hour before meals 3 times a day for gastritis, peptic ulcer stomach and duodenum With hyperacidity gastric juice.
Mix linden flowers, fennel fruits, chamomile flowers (2:1:1); 2 table. spoons of collection pour 2 cups of boiling water in a thermos, leave for an hour, strain. Take 1-2 cups a day, slowly, in sips half an hour before meals for gastric and duodenal ulcers for 3 weeks.
Mix in equal parts linden flowers, chamomile flowers, St. John's wort, blackberry leaves, black elderberry; 2 table. spoon collection pour 400 ml of boiling water, leave for 2 hours, wrapped, strain. Drink warm in a glass of infusion 2 times a day an hour before meals with nephritis, urethritis, cystitis, pyelonephritis, cystourethritis for 2-3 weeks.

Linden cosmetics

Healing infusions are prepared from linden flowers and leaves to rejuvenate the skin, elasticity and shine of hair, with swelling and inflammation of the eyes.
At oily skin 1 table. pour 1/2 cup boiling water over a spoonful of crushed lime blossom and cook until a thick mass is obtained. Apply it in a thick layer on your face for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
Another anti-aging mask is also good: 1 table. spoons of linden flowers pour a glass of boiling water, insist, strain, add 1 teaspoon. spoon of honey, put on the face and neck for 15 minutes.
With redness of the eyelids wash your eyes lime infusion: 1 tsp. pour a spoonful of dried linden flowers with a glass of boiling water, leave for 15 minutes, strain.
A decoction of linden blossom is used to wash the head in case of hair loss. and to strengthen them: 2-3 teaspoons. spoons of flowers, pour 2 liters of boiling water, leave for 40 minutes, strain, rinse your hair after washing.
Cold infusion of lime blossom (or ice from it) beauticians advise washing with dry skin. You can prepare for the winter a mixture of raspberry leaves and lime blossom, taken in equal proportions. Then brew the raw materials stronger, strain the broth and freeze ice cubes from it. Rubbing the face with the resulting ice helps fight wrinkles.
To improve skin elasticity Make a hot herbal compress with lime blossom, hops, and mint. Brew 1 table. a spoonful of a mixture of these herbs, taken in equal amounts, let the infusion brew, strain, and then moisten a linen cloth in a hot infusion and apply it to your face and hold until it cools. Dip the cooled rag into the infusion again; repeat the procedure for at least 10 minutes. A compress of lime blossom and chamomile infusion will refresh your face. But keep in mind: with extended blood vessels compresses are not necessary.
For dull and wrinkled skin use linden-cucumber lotion : mix 1 table. tablespoons of lime blossom and finely chopped dill, brew the mixture with a glass of boiling water, leave for 15 minutes, strain and wipe your face in the mornings and evenings. Store the lotion in the refrigerator.
Linden masks: a tablespoon of crushed linden flowers, pour 1/2 cup of hot water and simmer until a thick mass is obtained. For oily skin, apply the mass on the face in a thick layer in a warm form (you can do this through a layer of gauze), for dry skin - in a cold one. After 20 minutes, remove the mask, rinse your face with cool water, if your skin is too dry, apply a little oily cream.
To improve complexion: 2 teaspoons spoons of fatty cream mix with 2 teaspoons. spoons of a very concentrated decoction of lime blossom; Apply the mass on the face and neck in the form of a mask.
If the hands turned red , weathered, cracked - give them a lime "bath": immerse them in a warm infusion of lime blossom. After 15 minutes, dry your hands with a towel and rub in a nourishing cream.
Well, if you did a lot of physical labor, you “trampled” your feet - arrange linden bath and for them. You can add a decoction of mint or plantain to a decoction of lime blossom.

Linden is very useful plant, and what is very important, easily accessible for the inhabitants of Russia, since this deciduous tree is often found in temperate and subtropical latitudes. The healing properties of the plant are so extensive that even to this day it is widely used in medicine. AT medicinal purposes almost all parts of the tree are used: bark, leaves, buds, inflorescences, bark, flowers, and, of course, honey from its nectar. Let's talk about the benefits of linden in more detail.

The chemical composition of linden

The flowers of the tree contain many useful substances, these include vitamin C and A, tannins, saponins, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, flavonoids, hesperedin (glycoside), and essential oil. The composition of linden leaves includes phytoncides.

Collection, harvesting and storage of linden

Of course, raw materials should be collected and harvested only from plants growing outside the city, which were not stuffed with chemicals and were not damaged by insects.

Linden begins to bloom, as a rule, from mid-June. Flowering lasts only 3 weeks. At this time, the whole tree is decorated with yellow inflorescences. Looks very nice.

During the flowering period, flowers with a bract should be carefully plucked.

It is necessary to dry the raw material by spreading it in a thin layer, in the shade and in a ventilated place. Hits sun rays during drying should be avoided, as the inflorescences change their color. Upon completion of drying, damaged and browned flowers should be removed.

Linden can be stored for about 2 years in cardboard boxes or in jars with a tightly closed lid.

Useful properties and benefits of linden for the body

strengthens the immune system
treats colds,
brings down the temperature
helps to cure kidney diseases,
lowers blood sugar
removes toxins from the body,
eliminates the violation menstrual cycle,
has antispasmodic and diaphoretic action,
improves digestion,
fights diarrhea, belching and bloating,
relieves ulcers,
eliminates headaches,
copes with respiratory diseases,
treats hemorrhoids,
relieves pain in the joints,
alleviates the condition of oncology,
eliminates inflammation of the oral cavity,
calms the nervous system
helps relax,
fights insomnia
rejuvenates
heals burns,
treats skin diseases
reduces swelling and inflammation of the skin,
tones and improves skin condition,
strengthens hair.

Medicinal properties of linden for women

Linden is a very useful plant for women's health, due to the presence of phytohormones in the inflorescences of the plant, which are identical to female sex hormones. To maintain health, it is recommended to drink an infusion prepared from linden inflorescences. And women over 35 need to do preventive action: sip linden tea every morning for 3 weeks. The procedure is done 1 time in 6 months.

In addition, linden eliminates menstrual irregularities, treats infertility and uterine bleeding. To do this, you need 1 tbsp. Plant flowers pour 1 cup boiling water. Let it brew for 15-20 minutes, then strain and take 1-3 cups 3 times a day.

To alleviate the condition during menstruation, it is recommended to take a herbal bath.

Linden contraindication and harm

individual intolerance,
diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Excessive consumption of linden tea, decoction or infusion is fraught with heart problems, as the plant has a diaphoretic property and stimulates immune system, and this is an additional burden on the heart.

Also, daily drinking of tea can worsen vision.

Medicinal properties of linden

In folk medicine for the treatment various ailments it is customary to use tea, decoction and infusion of linden.

Linden tea is tasty and easy to prepare. It creates an atmosphere of warmth and comfort, soothes, helps to cope with colds and bring down the fever.

To prepare a drink, pour 1 tbsp. flowers of the plant 1 cup boiling water. Cover with a lid and wait half an hour. Then strain. Tea is ready! It is recommended to add .

Infusion of linden flowers

It is used to prevent colds.

Pour 1 handful of plant flowers in 1 liter of boiling water. You can add others healing herbs. Close the bowl with a lid and let it brew for 30 minutes. Strain.

Lime flower decoction

It can be taken both internally (for the treatment of colds) and externally (for washing and treating wounds and burns). Decoction is recommended to rinse your mouth with inflammation of the gums.

To prepare lime broth, you need 2 tbsp. linden flowers pour 0.5 liters of water. Put the dishes on a small fire. After boiling, wait another 5 minutes. Let it brew for 30 minutes.

Linden treatment

From a cold. Make a tea or an infusion of linden. Drink until the condition improves. It is recommended to add honey to enhance the effect.

For immunity. 2 tsp linden flowers, 1 tsp nettle, 20 g grated ginger root. Put all the ingredients in a thermos and pour boiling water over it. Insist 40-60 min. Take the infusion throughout the day.

From a headache. Apply crushed linden flowers to your temples and forehead. You can also inhale the aroma of freshly brewed raw materials.

For the stomach. Take linden decoction.

For joint pain. Pour the leaves of the plant hot water and then apply to the problem area. Wrap with a towel. It is worth walking with a compress for about 1 hour.

With cystitis. Prepare lime broth. Take it 2 times a day. From the second day of treatment, the decoction should be drunk at 0.5 liters. The duration of the course is 2 weeks.

From inflammation of the mouth. Add 5 g of soda to the linden broth. Rinse your mouth with this mixture 3 times a day.

From burns. Gently treat problem areas with a decoction of linden.

From skin diseases. Similar to the previous point.

From chronic fatigue, stress. Fill 100 g of flowers with 2 liters cold water. Wait 20 minutes, then boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep for another 20 minutes. Strain the resulting broth and pour into a bath, the temperature of which should be 35-37 ° C. Acceptance time therapeutic bath- 20 minutes. The procedure should be done once a week.

Linden broom for a bath

The healing properties of linden are widely used in. Those who like to "steam" are made from linden, knowing what they are capable of, namely: they treat urolithiasis, eliminate joint pain, relax and relieve stress, relieve gout, increase sweating, heal wounds and have a bronchodilator property.

In the presence of kidney stones and pain in the joints, it is recommended to hold the broom over the problem area for 2-3 minutes.

Breathe in the scent of a linden broom - it soothes and relieves feelings of anxiety and fear.

How to steam a linden broom for a bath

Place the broom in warm (not boiling) water and wait half an hour. As soon as the twigs and leaves soften, you can start bathing procedures.

Linden for hair

Linden is a real find for women who strive for luxurious hair and love folk remedies. The flowers of this plant strengthen the hair, give it shine and well-groomed appearance, eliminate itching of the scalp, dandruff, and, of course, enrich them with useful substances.

Linden hair rinse

Hair conditioner. 8 tbsp plant flowers pour 0.5 liters of water. Put on a small fire for 10 minutes. Strain and cool before using. Rinse your hair with decoction after washing your hair. To get a noticeable effect, this natural remedy should be used 2 times a week.

Lipa for the face

Struggling with skin rashes, brings the skin in order.

1 tbsp linden + 1 tbsp. raspberry leaves + 1 liter of water. Bring to a boil, then let it brew for 5 hours. Strain the resulting broth. Wipe your face with it 2 times a day.

Linden is a real treasure for lovers traditional medicine and cosmetology. The plant is very useful and therefore has such wide application. Be sure to try its healing properties.

Be healthy!