Tilia platyphyllos
Other names: Linden, Broad Leaved Lime, Large-leaved Linden, Large leaf linden, Broadleaf lime, Lime tree.
Family: Tiliaceae

Description
Large leaved lime are the cordate linden leaves and have various important healing properties. Linden fruit has been used by ancient practitioners against stomach disorders. Dioskouridis used to say that the leave juice and compress can cure snake bites, while Plinios suggested that snakes don’t even come close near the trees’ shadow. A lot of villagers still retain linden fruit in vinegar and salt and eat them like a pickle.

Parts used
Leaves, flowers, and fruits.

Usage
Linden is considered to be styptic and tonic. Decoction (odourless and a bit bitter) is used in rheumatisms and arthritis as well as cystitis, constipation, dyspepsia, dropsy, remittent fevers, spleen and liver obstruction, Leaves are mildly diuretic and anti pyretic. Leave infusion can be drunk in little by little during the day.
Assists in coughs and perspiration. Useful in migraines and nervous vomiting. Sedative and mildly hypnotic for depressive, hysteric and hypochondriac individuals.
It is also very good against arteriosclerosis, sciatica and lumbago.

Infusion: 30gr leaves in ½ litre boiled water or 1 tea spoonful of the herb in a cup of boiled water. Steep for 5 minutes, drink 3 cups a day for constipation, arthritis, rheumatisms, dropsy, cystitis.

Decoction: 15 – 30 gr in a litre of boiling water. When water starts boiling, remove from fire and steep for 8 minutes before consumption in cases of fever or before we prepare compress for wounds and cuts Drink 3 cups a day. For nervous disorders, asthma, spasmodic cough, spasms, migraines and nervous vomiting, half linden and half orange herb is recommended.

External use: Wash out face freckles and wrinkles with decoction. It can, also, help develop hair growth. A bath with the herb flower decoction can help in cases of nervous fatigue and infant spasms.

* The information here should not be considered medical advice, and you should always consult a physician before beginning any herbal therapy.