Hiding in this perfect cup of herbal tea, is an herb filled with amazing health benefits. Linden, Tilia is the name of the genus that contains varieties of trees named linden, whose flowers, leaves, and extracts have been used for medicinal and decorative purposes for many years. The tilia genus members are often also called lime or basswood, and the different types lindens have slightly different components and effects.
Some of the most interesting health benefits of linden include its ability to improve the immune system, prevent certain forms of cancer, calm the body, detoxify the body, eliminate anxiety, lower inflammation, and lower blood pressure.
Health Benefits of Linden
Anxiety Issues: One of the most frequent uses for linden tea is as an anxiety aid, as its soothing properties have been known to reduce mental stress and anxiety. If you suffer from mood swings or unexplained chronic stress, a cup of linden tea can be a very wise addition to your health regimen. It has a minor effect on your hormone levels, inducing a state of relaxation for the body and mind.
Colds and Flu: In addition to stimulating sweating to break a fever, linden also contributes to other symptoms of colds and flu’s, such as inflamed or swollen membranes throughout the mouth and respiratory tracts. This can help to reduce coughing and irritation, which is why linden is often relied on to sooth sore throats and calm coughing. Linden tea can also help to eliminate congestion, making it a true triple-threat to colds, and represents a major boost to your immune system.
Inflammation: For those who suffer from tension headaches and other conditions causing inflammation, such as arthritis and gout, linden tea can help eliminate those painful symptoms. Just as it reduces the inflammation in the respiratory tracts, it also helps to lower blood pressure and remove inflammation in the blood vessels, thereby preventing the small capillary back-ups that so commonly lead to headaches, as well as the swollen tissue of arthritis sufferers.
A Final Word of Warning: There are some people who are allergic to these flowers, so speak to your doctor before adding linden tea to your favorite beverages list. Also, there is a maximum dosage, so avoid drinking more than 3 cups per day. Furthermore, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, it usually isn’t a good idea to drink linden tea, nor if you have heart disease, as this flower can negatively interact with certain pharmaceuticals.