Meet Linden

Meet Linden: A Beloved Tree and Healing Ally
BOTANICAL NAMES: Tilia europaea, T. cordata, T. platyphyllos, T. americana

Linden is a member of the Malvaceae family and genus Tilia. With around 30 species found across temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, they are especially abundant in Europe and Asia, and native species like Tilia americana grow in our region.
Linden typically blooms in early to late June in our area. Many species, such as T. cordata and T. europaea, are planted as ornamentals thanks to their ability to tolerate a wide range of conditions including urban pollution. Our native T. americana grows naturally in wooded areas, especially along hillsides and near creekbeds.
There’s a particular spot near my house where Linden trees flourish. In early June, I often find myself drawn to sit beneath their canopy, enveloped by their sweet, citrusy aroma. The shade is cool and protective. I’m never alone—Linden is loved by pollinators. Bees buzz all around, eager to gather nectar during its brief blooming window. The thought of Linden honey, floral, citrusy, and utterly delicious.

Linden Remedy
Linden has a long history of medicinal use. Indigenous tribes in our region traditionally used the bark for dysentery, heartburn, coughs, and lung ailments, while the leaves and flowers were relied on for nervousness, headaches, restlessness, abdominal pain, and as an antispasmodic. (1) Today, we turn to Linden for many of the same reasons. The flowers carry a delightful floral/citrus scent that’s mirrored in their taste, making them an easy to work with remedy. Energetically, Linden is sweet, cooling, moistening, slightly sour, and gently astringent. Its actions center on the heart and nervous system, supporting both the physical and emotional heart. Its calming presence helps relieve stress-induced high blood pressure, heart tension, and emotional heaviness—particularly during periods of grief or heartbreak.
Regional herbalist Coreypine Shane recommends Linden for heart palpitations brought on by stress, anger, or nervous agitation, and also notes its benefits for digestion. (2) I agree—Linden’s slightly aromatic, antispasmodic nature makes it especially helpful for those high-strung, type A types (who me?). I remember once approaching herbalist Margi Flint at a conference while feeling a bit anxious. She looked at me and said, “Well, we have an easily-excited woman here.” I felt my face flush, and my first thought? Linden.
Linden’s unique combination of demulcent and astringent qualities makes it an excellent remedy for dryness. The demulcent action soothes and hydrates, while the astringent quality tones tissues and helps lock in moisture. This makes it particularly helpful in hot, dry weather, or for individuals with a dry, warm constitution, wonderful for calming irritated tissues and helping restore balance. Another remarkable gift Linden offers is relief from cold and flu symptoms. It soothes irritated throats, calms persistent coughs, and helps open tight bronchial passages. As a gentle vasodilator and relaxing nervine, it supports the release of tension and promotes circulation to the skin helping the body release excess heat, especially during fevers. Its mucilaginous quality coats and comforts inflamed tissues. Herbalist Matthew Wood has shared that Linden combined with Elderflower and Yarrow is a wonderful remedy for excessive heat in children for cold and flus, and also for emotional excitation. 

Harvesting Linden
I’ve learned from various teachers to harvest the flowers with their attached bracts just before or at full bloom, on a sunny day after a few rain-free days. That’s when the aromatics are most vibrant and citrusy. If you see any browning on the flowers, it’s okay to skip those. Remember that you won’t be alone when you harvest. Bees of all kinds will be loving on the tree with you.

Linden is a key ingredient in two of my tea blends: Heart Zen and Mellow Yellow.
Heart Zen supports both the physical and emotional heart, while Mellow Yellow soothes the nervous system and eases tension without sedation. In a culture that constantly rushes, Linden is a wonderful ally for the modern human. It’s also delicious and versatile, lending itself to both internal and external use.