Day 15: Linden leaf tea

Tilia spp.

I was out late last night so didn’t wake with my usual ready-for-the-day feeling. I could tell my nervous system needed a little extra love, likely resulting from the noisy atmosphere of the venue I spent the evening in.

My mind went to linden leaf, knowing that it would offer just the little relaxation nudge I needed.

On my bike, I cycled to the next village where several trees surround the village green. Each tree was at a different phase of growth, even trees standing side-by-side. There was one in full-leaf with flowers starting to form, while its neighbours’ leaves were still contained in bud.

I remember how the newly opened buds look a bit like giant beetles to me. This time they looked like women in fancy dresses from the Victorian era.

ID features

When trees are left to form their natural shape, their branches grow low, swooping down to the ground creating a circular den beneath their bows all around the trunk. The one I visited looked well played under by local children.

Apparently, important community meetings were held within the safe holding of a linden tree. I can see the sense in that, especially during the flowering season when the intoxicating scent of the blossoms omit their deeply relaxing volatile oils. I imagine it would have made for an easier meeting with everyone in a relaxed state. I also heard of a folklore that says you cannot tell a lie under one. Perhaps the relaxation allows complete trust that all will be well.

New shoots often sprout out of the bottom of the trunk. New twigs are red and so are the leaf buds, which look pinker as they open.

The leaves are bright green, heart-shaped, serrated, soft at first and then shiny. The leaves darken as they grow older.

Medicinal uses

Traditionally, linden has been used for nervous tension and hysteria, as well as high blood pressure and feverish colds.

The blossoms are an ingredient in many night time sleepy teas as they have a relaxant action. A cup of linden tea feels soothing, especially good before bed or when restless or fretful during a bad cold or ‘flu episode.

It also relaxes the blood vessels, widening the arteries to ease high blood pressure and brings capillaries closer to the surface of the skin to induce sweating during a fever.

It can also be effective in cases of migraine.

How to make a cuppa

Generally, we use the flowers and bracts in the summer months, (June is best to gather). However, the leaves and leaf buds are still effective.

For my tea I used my scissors to increase the surface area before adding water. The water first turned greenish, then orangish after a time.

Taste

Eating a leaf bud is sweet due to the mucilaginous polysaccharides. Chewing them coats the inside of the mouth a bit like butter. Its smooth and silky.

The leaves are very similar but milder. Both make tasty foragers snacks. They taste a bit like sugar-snap peas, but less sweet.

Click button below for my:

Linden Leaf Audio Reflections

For those Local to me:

My next herb walk is at 6.30pm on Tuesday 15th April. Meet in Peel Park, (on the Community Centre side), in Long Ashton, North Somerset, BS41 9DP. Bring a flask of hot water for a foraged tea. 

There will also be a walk in Ashton Court on Tuesday 22nd April. Meet at the entrance to the rose garden with a flask of hot water. We must be mindful that the gates to the grounds are shut at sunset, (8pm), and so we will finish promptly at 7.40pm.

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£10 cash on arrival, or pre-pay option via: https://www.healthneedsthyme.co.uk/services

 Herbal Medicine Consultations

I am a qualified medical herbalist, trained in much the same way as a GP. However, my medicines are from nature's medicine chest. They nourish and strengthen so that your body can heal itself. I offer consultations via video call and send tonics out in the post. Email me to book an appointment: sarah-janecobley@healthneedsthyme.co.uk