Meadowsweet Herbs

Linden is a beautiful tree with broad ovate serrated leaves. The leaves are dark green above and light green underneath. The flowers, the medicinal part, are small, grow in groups of 4 — 10 and are yellow white in color. They smell wonderful and the bees adore them! They grow from singular large, long pale green bracts, also medicinal. The fruit is small, round, and pale green drying into a light brown.

Linden trees can be bought from a nursery, although it is often easy to find small “volunteer” trees in the vicinity of larger trees. Lindens are often grown around town and in many city locations (boulevards, etc). Harvest the flowers and bract when in bloom, usually mid summer. Air-dry the flowers quickly and carefully, as they can easily turn brown.

A general dosage for linden is 2 teaspoons of the crushed bract and flower per cup of water. Drink three cups a day. If using the tincture, take 20 — 40 drops one to four times a day.

Linden has many wonderful medicinal uses including being a gentle and effective nervine. It is an excellent remedy for calming and relaxing nervous tension, depression and stress. As a gentle sedative it is good for both children and the elderly.

Linden is a helpful herb for the cardiovascular system. It is useful for heart palpitations, arteriosclerosis and high blood pressure due to stress. Linden is a good peripheral vasodilator as well as being antispasmodic to the vasculature and so can be useful in migraine headaches caused by tension and circulatory upset. It is a good remedy for varicose veins.

Linden is antiviral and diaphoretic, meaning that it helps you sweat. This makes it useful for colds and flu, especially when agitated or if one has a fever. A safe and gentle herb, I know of no contraindications.

by Elaine Sheff