Tilia europea

Tilia europea                                        Common name:  Lime flower, Linden tree
Family: Tiliaceae

Parts used:  Flowers & leaves

Constituents: Flavonoids (hespiridin, kaempferol, quercetin), phenolic acids (chlorogenic, caffeic and coumaric), volatile oils (farnesol, eugenol, citral, citronellal, citronellol, limonene, pinene)), mucilage (arabino-galactans), tannin.

Medicinal actions:  Anxiolytic, hypotensive, sedative, diaphoretic, anti-spasmodic, immunomodulator, anti-inflammatory, mild astringent, expectorant, hypotensive, peripheral vasodilator, anti-coagulant, digestive, diuretic, emollient

Medicinal use:  Indicated in nervous dyspepsia, hysterical states, headaches, and palpitations. It is hypotensive, although it is rarely strong enough on its own to reduce blood pressure, it will reduce hypertension when associated with arteriosclerosis and nervous tension. Tilia is also a notable diaphoretic and is often used in colds and flu.

Pharmacology:

• Volatile oils are diuretic, sedative and antispasmodic.
• Flavonoids are antispasmodic and diaphoretic.
• Coumaric acid is antispasmodic and diaphoretic.

Pharmacy: Infusion: 1tsp/cup, 3-5 times QD. Tincture: (1:5, 40%), 3-5ml TID. Dried flowers: 2-4g, TID.

Toxicity: None reported. Long-term high doses may be cardiotoxic.

Contraindications: None known.

Interactions: None reported.