Linden: what it is for and how to make tea

Linden is a medicinal plant, also known as teja, tago, texa or tilha, which is popularly used to help treat various health problems, such as anxiety, headache, diarrhea and poor digestion.

Although the linden tree originates from Europe, this plant can now be found all over the world, being the Linden chordataa Tilia platyphyllos it’s at Linden x vulgaris, the most used species.

Linden can be found in health food stores, supermarkets and pharmacies, in the form of flowers and dried leaves or sachets that can be used to prepare teas, or even in the form of a tincture.

What is it for

Some proven health benefits of sa tilia are:

1. Reduce anxiety

Linden contains kaempferol and quercetin, which are bioactive compounds with calming effects that work to promote relaxation of the central nervous system, reducing anxiety and stress.

2. Relieve fever

One of the most popular effects of linden is its ability to increase sweating, helping to alleviate fever in cases of colds and flu.

This effect of linden, known as the diaphoretic effect, is due to the presence of substances such as quercetin, kaempferol and coumarin acid, which stimulate the production of sweat.

3. Regulate blood pressure

Linden helps regulate blood pressure as it contains tiliroside, chlorogenic acid and rutoside, bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that improve the health of the arteries, facilitating blood circulation.

Furthermore, this plant also has a diuretic effect, helping to eliminate excess fluids through urine and thus regulating blood pressure.

4. Reduce fluid retention

Because it has a diuretic effect, linden increases urine production, reducing fluid retention. When this happens, excess fluid is eliminated from the body, treating and preventing fluid retention.

5. Fight stomach pain

Linden contains caffeic acid, kaempferol, quercetin and tannins, bioactive compounds with relaxing, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation and stomach pain.

6. Reduce blood glucose

Because it contains tiliroside, a bioactive compound with antidiabetic action, linden helps regulate blood glucose levels and can be used to complement the treatment of diabetes.

This antidiabetic effect of linden has been linked to the inhibition of alpha-glucosidase, an enzyme that is found in the intestine and that helps in the absorption of sugar from food into the blood.

In addition, linden also appears to inhibit another enzyme, alpha-amylase, which is found in the intestinal tract and is also responsible for digesting and promoting the absorption of carbohydrates.

7. Prevent obesity

Linden appears to inhibit the action of pancreatic lipase, an enzyme that is responsible for the absorption of fats. Therefore, the consumption of linden can help reduce the absorption of fats from food, promoting weight control and preventing obesity.

8. Fight yeast infections

Although it is a lesser-known property of this plant, linden has antifungal action and can therefore be used as a complement to the treatment of some fungal infections.

9. Strengthen the immune system

Because it contains chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid, bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, linden strengthens immune system cells, helping to fight viruses, bacteria and fungi, and avoiding situations such as sinusitis and allergies.

How to use

Dried linden flowers and leaves can be used in the form of teas or tinctures. Furthermore, this plant can also be used in cooking to flavor some dishes, such as sweets and ice cream.

1. Linden tea

Ingredients:

• 1/2 teaspoon (1.5 g) of dried linden flowers and leaves;
• 200 ml of water.

Preparation mode:

In a pan or kettle, boil the water. After turning off the heat, add the linden flowers and blossoms, cover the pan and let it rest for 5 minutes. Strain and drink 2 to 4 cups a day.

For children between 4 and 12 years old, only 1 g of linden should be used for every 150 mL of boiling water.

2. Dyeing

The recommendation for linden tincture is 2 mL (approx. 40 drops), which must be dissolved in a glass (100 mL) of water and taken 1 to 2 times a day.

Side effects and contraindications

Some people seem to be more sensitive to linden flowers and may develop allergic symptoms such as itchy skin, sneezing and runny nose.

There are few studies on the possible contraindications of this plant, however there are suspicions that linden may have a toxic effect on the heart muscle. Therefore, linden is not recommended for people with heart problems.

Furthermore, linden should also not be consumed by children under 4 years of age and by pregnant or breastfeeding women, as there are no studies that prove the safety of using this plant at these stages.