Medicinal Trees: Tilia, Basswood or Lime
Thirteen varieties of Tilia have been found useful in Herbal Medicine: Tilia americana - American Basswood, Tilia amurensis, Tilia caroliniana - Carolina Basswood, Tilia cordata - Small Leaved Lime, Tilia heterophylla - White Basswood, Tilia chinensis, Tilia japonica - Japanese Lime, Tilia mongolica - Mongolian Lime, Tilia oliveri Synonym: Tilia pendula, Tilia platyphyllos - Large Leaved Lime, Tilia tomentosa - Silver Lime, Tilia tuan,Tilia x europaea - Common Lime
Three Tilias are native to my region: Tilia americana var. americana (American Basswood), Tilia americana var. caroliniana (Carolina Basswood), Tilia americana var. heterophylla (White Basswood)
It should be pointed out that the Tilias called “Lime Tree” are not the citrus trees that bear lime fruit. These trees are predominately called Lime in Europe. They are an important part of the European herbal tradition, so I will include their use along with our native Basswoods. These are trees in the Linden family and are often simply called Linden.
Saint Hildegard von Bingen wrote of Linden:
A person who ails in his heart should take the interior branches of linden root and reduce it to a powder. He should eat this powder often with bread, and his heart will be better. …In summer, place fresh leaves of linden over your eyes when you go to sleep, and cover your whole face with them. This will clarify your eyes and make them clean. If you are vigichtiget, you should take the earth which lies around the root of the linden, and put it on the fire. Pour water over it when it is hot, and so bathe in a sauna. Do this for nine days, and you will be cured.
Mrs. Grieves writes of Lime Tree:
Medicinal Action and Uses---Lime-flowers are only used in infusion or made into a distilled water as household remedies in indigestion or hysteria, nervous vomiting or palpitation. Prolonged baths prepared with the infused flowers are also good in hysteria.
In the Pyrenees they are used to soothe the temporary excitement caused by the waters, and M. Rostan has used them with success against spasms. The flowers of several species of Lime are used.
Some doctors prefer the light charcoal of lime wood to that of the poplar in gastric or dyspeptic disturbances, and its powder for burns or sore places.
If the flowers used for making the tisane are too old they may produce symptoms of narcotic intoxication.
Fr. Kneipp wrote of Lime Tree:
(Tilia grandifolia and parvifolia Ehrh)
It is almost solely the elderly people of the old school who still gather the once so well liked limetree blossoms. They are quite right and need only remain conservative with regard to their old custom. Lime-blossom-tea together with elder- blossom-tea are the best known teas for producing perspiration. Concerning perspiring, as it is usually carried on, I have my own particular opinion, which is not at all in its favour. On the other hand, I willingly use the blossoms for the vapours which produce, and supply the place of perspiration.
Lime-blossom-tea has excellent effects on such complaints as old coughs, obstructions of the lungs and wind-pipes, troubles of the abdomen which have their origin in obstructions of phlegm in the kidneys. Instead of the limetree- blossoms, I use the St. John's-wort with or without admixture of common yarrow; see St. Johns-wort.
Brother Aloysius wrote of Lime tree:
The blossom of the lime tree is used medicinally for dizziness, migraines, indigestion, chills, nervous complaints; this teas is highly recommended for old people in particular. The infusion contains 1/8 to ¼ cup per 2 cups boiling water. Hot lime blossom baths are highly recommended for convulsions in children. Charcoal powder from lime wood is best for internal use. A cup of lime blossom tea in the evening with ½ to 1 spoonful of honey is very depurative, strengthens the heart, is good for the nerves and promotes sleep. In addition, lime tea is recommended for nervous complaints in general; also for hysteria, hypochondria, migraines, epilepsy, indigestion, colic, coughs, chills, shivering, and to avoid strokes.
Resources of the Southern Fields and Forests tells us:
The flowers of our American Tilia, sent to me from Pendleton District, S. C, I find quite as useful as the imported " Tilleul,'' a material for quieting, anti-spasmodic teas, which I have repeatedly seen prescribed in France. It is particularly grateful and soothing to lying-in women: quieting nervous excitement, and pleasant to the taste. I would particularly recommend a larger use of these flowers in the Southern States. It can be used wherever a tea is required.
King's American Dispensatory, 1898 tells us:
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—The European species (Tilia europaea) is a common domestic remedy in Europe for the relief of many nervous and catarrhal disorders. The leaves, flowers, and buds are employed, and their properties may be regarded as stimulant, lenitive, tonic, and nervine. The infusion is generally preferred, and may be given to allay irritation and restlessness, and to promote rest and sleep. The hot infusion is employed to check diarrhoea from cold, and in the various forms of colds and catarrhal conditions, while, either hot or cold, it may be used in restlessness, nervous headaches, painful and difficult digestion, and mild hysteria. The effects upon the nervous system are sometimes obtained by an enema, or bath, prepared from the flowers. The infusion is prepared from 30 or 40 grains of the flowers and 1 pint of water. It forms an agreeable vehicle for other medicines. A strong tincture may be prepared of the flowers (℥viij) and strong alcohol (Oj). Dose, 1 to 20 minims. The other species undoubtedly possess similar properties.
Euell Gibbons tells us:
The use of dried flowers of linden or basswood for making a tea-like hot drink is widespread. The French enjoy a number of herbal tisanes, and that made from linden blossoms is one of their favorites..… Medicinally, it is reported to be calmative and restorative, being given as a home remedy for nervousness, hysteria, insomnia and cramps.
Plants for A Future states of Basswood:
Medicinal use of American Basswood: A tea made from the inner bark is applied to burns - it soothes and softens the skin. It is taken internally in the treatment of lung complaints, dysentery, heart burn and weak stomach. The bark is diuretic. An infusion has been taken to promote urination. A decoction of the bark, mixed with cornmeal, has been used as a poultice to draw out boils. A tea made from the fresh or dried flowers is antispasmodic, diaphoretic and sedative. It is used in the treatment of hypertension, hardening of the arteries, digestive complaints associated with anxiety, feverish colds, respiratory catarrh, migraine etc. Lime flowers are said to develop narcotic properties as they age and so they should only be harvested when freshly opened. An infusion of the leaves has been used as an eyewash. A poultice of the leaves has been used in the treatment of burns and scalds, broken bones and swollen areas. A tea or tincture made from the leaves, flowers and buds has traditionally been used for nervous headaches, restlessness and painful digestion. Use with caution, see notes above on toxicity. A decoction of the roots and the bark has been taken in the treatment of internal haemorrhaging. A decoction of the roots has been used as a vermifuge to rid the body of worms.
Medicinal use of Carolina Basswood: A tea made from the flowers is antispasmodic, diaphoretic and sedative.
Medicinal use of White Basswood: A tea made from the flowers is antispasmodic, diaphoretic and sedative. A decoction of the inner bark has been used in the treatment of dysentery. A decoction of the bark, mixed with cornmeal, has been used as a poultice in the treatment of boils. A decoction of the inner bark and twigs has been used during pregnancy to treat heartburn, weak stomach and weak bowels.
The Rodale Herb Book states:
Linden flowers and leaves are an old household remedy for nervousness, colds, headache and indigestion. A hot infusion is used to check diarrhea. It was also used in a hot bath to promote sleep. Linden flower wine is used as a tonic to stimulate appetite and aid digestion.
Peterson Field Guides Eastern and Central Medicinal Plants tells us:
American basswood: American Indians used inner bark tea for lung ailments, heartburn, weak stomach; Bark poultice draws out boils. Leaves, flower and bud tea, or tincture traditionally used for nervous headaches, restlessness, painful digestion. Warning: frequent consumption of flower tea may cause heart damage.
Botany In a Day states:
Tilia, Basswood, Linden tree: Linden trees are native to the eastern forest… medicinally, AT of the inner bark is soothing for burns. A tea of the dried flowers is expectorant, sedative, and diaphoretic an effect.
This article is an excerpt from The Medicinal Trees of the American South, An Herbalist's Guide: by Judson Carroll
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