Linden flower tea is made from dried linden flowers and bracts, which come from the Tilia Europaea tree (commonly known as the lime tree).
While it is not really tea (it doesn’t come from the tea plant nor does it contain caffeine), it’s a fairly well-known herbal tea used as a relaxation drink or as a way to prevent insomnia.
Before you start to consume linden flower tea, please read the information below to find out if it is right for you. We’ll also discuss how to make it and how often you should drink this healthy tea.
Health Benefits of Linden Flowers
Linden flowers, when steeped, taste delicious and mildly sweet. They offer a wide range of health benefits:
- Those who suffer from mental fatigue will find this tea rejuvenating.
- Linden flowers contain antioxidants called flavonoids that help prevent damage caused by free radicals in your body.
- Linden flowers also contain tannins that help promote healthy digestion and relieve constipation.
- It can help prevent insomnia, especially when taken 30 minutes before bedtime.
- If you suffer from migraines caused by hypertension, linden tea may help treat your migraines.
- Some people use linden flowers in their bath water to reduce anxiety or hysteria.
- Hoffmann documented its use in Medical Herbalism as a relaxing remedy for nervous tension.
- In A Modern Herbal, published in 1992, Maud Grieve refers to its use for treating hysteria, nervous vomiting, and palpitations.
- When you drink it hot, linden tea will raise your body temperature slightly, which can promote sweating and help your body fight against infections.
How to Make Linden Flower Tea
Preparing linden flower or lime tree flower tea is easy. If you purchased bagged Linden flower tea, follow the instructions, which should be similar to this:
- Bring water to a boil.
- Pour one cup of water over the bag and let steep for 10 to 30 minutes, depending on desired strength. 20 minutes is typical.
- Drink cold or hot while relaxing.
- Repeat up to 3 times per day.
If you purchase loose linden flowers tea, the recommended flower/leaf to water ratio is 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of herbal tea per cup (250 ml) of water.
Precautions to Take With This Herbal Tea
As always, this particular relaxation herb may not be suitable for all people, especially if you are currently taking certain medications.
Please talk to your health care professional before deciding to drink this herbal tea regularly.
Here are some precautions to take:
- People with anemia should not consume this herbal tea with iron supplements or with their meals as it may reduce how much iron is absorbed by their body.
- Pregnant women should avoid this herbal tea near the end of term as linden flowers could have a thinning effect on blood, which may lead to increased postpartum bleeding.
- Use “fresh” tea from a reliable supplier. To ensure you get the desired health benefits, always use fresh and high-quality linden tea.
- Don’t drive after drinking this tea. Because it will cause drowsiness, don’t drink this tea before driving or taking part in other activities that require your full attention.
- People with heart disease should consult their doctor before taking this herbal tea.
Learn how to make your own healthy herbal teas.
Linden Flowers in Other Health Products
Linden flowers are used in more than tea. They can be added to several health and personal care products such as handmade soap, bath and shower gel, and even herbal capsules.
Want to learn more about herbal teas for relaxation? Read these pages: