Therapeutic Uses:

• May promote relaxation – Sitting down to enjoy a warm cup of tea can be a comforting ritual on its own. Although, linden tea goes beyond the comforts of an everyday mug of tea. Its steeped sweet flowers have been used in folk medicine to promote relaxation and relieve symptoms of anxiety, and some studies seem to support these claims. One mouse study found that extracts from the buds of Tilia tomentosa, a kind of linden tree, had strong sedative properties. Researchers concluded that this linden extract mimicked the activity of gaba-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a brain chemical that inhibits excitability in the human nervous system. Thus, linden tea may promote relaxation by acting like GABA. Still, more research is needed to learn exactly how this happens.
• May help fight inflammation – Chronic inflammation can contribute to the development of many conditions, including type 2 diabetes and cancer. Antioxidants are compounds that help fight inflammation, potentially lowering your risk of disease. Flavonoids are a type of antioxidant in Tilia flowers, whereas tiliroside, quercetin, and kaempferol are specifically associated with linden buds. Tiliroside is a potent antioxidant that acts by scavenging free radicals in your body. Free radicals can cause oxidative damage, which can lead to inflammation. Kaempherol may fight inflammation as well. Plus, some studies show that it may provide cancer-fighting properties. As the amount of these antioxidants may vary by brand and tea blend, more research is needed to determine how much linden tea you would need to drink to reduce inflammation.
• May reduce mild pain – Chronic pain affects millions of people around the world. Interestingly, some of the antioxidants in linden tea may ease pain. One study found giving 45.5 mg of tiliroside per pound (100 mg per kg) of body weight to mice with swollen paws reduced swelling and pain by nearly 27% and 31%, respectively. Another 8-week study in 50 women with rheumatoid arthritis, which is characterized by painful and stiff joints, found that supplementing with 500 mg of quercetin, an antioxidant in linden tea, significantly improved pain symptoms and markers of inflammation. However, keep in mind that 500 mg of quercetin is a lot. Adults in the United States consume 10 mg of this antioxidant daily, on average, though this number varies greatly depending on your diet, with 80 mg per day being considered a high intake. The amount of quercetin or other flavonoids in linden tea differs greatly depending on the brand and the proportions of buds, leaves, and bark in a particular blend. As a result, it’s impossible to know how much of these antioxidants you may be getting in a single cup of tea. Additional research is needed to determine how much of this beverage is needed to relieve pain.
• May have diuretic effects – The inner bark of the Tilia tree has been associated with diuretic and diaphoretic effects. A diuretic is a substance that encourages your body to excrete more fluid, while a diaphoretic is a substance that’s used to cool a fever by encouraging sweat. Linden tea has been used in folk medicine to promote sweating and productive coughs when a minor illness like a cold takes hold. In Germany, 1–2 cups (235–470 ml) of linden tea at bedtime is approved for use as a sweat-promoting infusion in adults and children over 12 years old. These effects may be caused by the combination of its plant compounds, specifically quercetin, kaempferol, and p-coumaric acid. At this time, scientific evidence directly linking linden tea and its chemical properties to diuretic effects is insufficient. The bulk of the available data regarding this association is anecdotal, though it spans back to the Middle Ages. Thus, this purported health benefit warrants further investigation.
• Linked to lower blood pressure – Some of the plant components in linden tea, such as tiliroside, rutoside, and chlorogenic acid, are thought to lower blood pressure. One mouse study found that tiliroside, an antioxidant in linden tea, affected calcium channels in the heart. Calcium plays a role in your heart’s muscular contractions. Mice were injected with doses of 0.45, 2.3, and 4.5 mg of the antioxidant per pound (1, 5, and 10 mg per kg) of body weight. As a response, systolic blood pressure (the top number of a reading) decreased. This may help explain why linden tea has been used to reduce blood pressure in folk medicine. Yet, this effect is not yet fully understood and needs further scientific investigation. Linden tea should never be used to replace heart medications.
• May help you sleep – Sleep quality and duration significantly affect your health. Linden tea is readily used in folk medicine to promote sleep. Its plant compounds have strong sedative properties, which may encourage relaxation that leads to sleep. One mouse study found that extracts from Mexican Tilia trees caused sedation. Researchers believe that the extract depressed the central nervous system, causing drowsiness. Still, more research is needed to explore the relationship between linden tea and sleep.
• Soothes your digestive tract – Like any hot tea, linden tea delivers gentle heat and hydration. Both soothe your digestive tract, as water can help food move through your intestines. Folk medicine touts the use of linden tea in times of stomach discomfort. In one small study in children with antibiotic-resistant diarrhea, tiliroside showed potent antibacterial properties. While this antioxidant was extracted from a different flower, it’s found in linden tea as well.

Medicinal Uses: *Bloating *Breathing Problems (Bronchitis) *Causing Sweating *Colds *Cough *Excessive Bleeding (Hemorrhage) *Excessive Excitement (Hysteria) *Expectorant *Fever *Headaches (Sinus and Migraine) *High Blood Pressure *Incontinence *Increase Urine Production *Insomnia *Itchy Skin *Joint Pain (Rheumatism) *Lower Leg Wounds (Ulcus Cruris) *Muscle Spasms *Nervous Tension *Rapid Heartbeat *Sore Throat *Spasms *Stuffy Nose

Linden Flower Side Effects: Though it is generally considered safe, avoid linden if you’re allergic to linden or its pollen. The safety of linden in pregnant or nursing women is unknown. Therefore, it’s not recommended to use linden while pregnant or nursing. It has not been tested in children either, so it’s not recommended for regular use in this population. Linden and other products derived from the Tilia tree family should not be used by those with a history of heart conditions. Frequent, long-term use has been linked to heart disease and damage in rare cases. For this reason, it’s best to use linden in moderation. Those with heart disease or other heart issues should talk to their healthcare provider before regularly consuming linden.

Linden Flower Drug Interactions: People who take medications containing lithium should not drink linden tea, as the beverage can change how your body excretes this element. This can affect dosing and may have serious side effects. Because linden tea may promote the excretion of fluids, avoid taking it with other diuretics to prevent dehydration.