Lovely Linden
My first encounter hearing about the Linden tree go back to a very early childhood memory when my Dad would bring home especially wrapped small boxes of medicinal teas from the German store. Couldn’t read the labels then but I recalled they were special teas and were good medicine. I had seen Linden in a few homegrown shops over the years being used in soaps and linen water but had lost track of them as we can do in life. Until one day my Mother in law was visiting our home and pointed out that we had them growing in many places throughout our community. She was excited and recounted some of her childhood seeing these magnificent trees in the old country of Slovakia and wanted to collect some of their blossoms. She took a few reminiscent walks quietly collecting the blossoms and drying them on paper bags to use for tea. I remember the fragrance was a sweet honey citrus like floral and she was as happy as could be. It was a joy to see her rediscover those happy childhood memories and have something she could share with us. She didn’t know the health properties God had put in that tree but she knew it was good. And she didn’t know that this introduction to the Linden tree would reinvigorate my lifelong love of herbal and naturopathic medicine while discovering God’s Healing hidden touch inside them. What a tree it is…plus we have a new family tradition that Peter and I get to go “collecting” thanks to his Mamicka.
A tree known throughout Europe for its multiple uses and medicinal value the Linden tree holds as one of the most versatile for home and health. Let’s take a look at this remarkable tree and the healing in its “leaves”. Of course, there are umpteen books written on the subject of botanicals and naturopathic medicine and for sure the internet is full of information so this will just be my humble attempt at putting a few bits of info out there for your radar to consider “picking up” while telling a few personal stories along the way.
This amazing cold hardy, sun loving, but not too hot, drought and fungus resistant Linden (Tilia sp.) tree can grow up to 40 feet and even some as much as 80 feet tall and is an excellent shade tree. Pollinators like bees love this tree and some countries actually have Linden honey and it is delicious. Many of the lindens including the American variety are edible even in a good salad, and they also generate a sap that can be used as a sweetener. Incredible! One day Lord Willing, we will have land and can plant some of these beauties on it but for now a’foraging we go!
Here is a small list of health helps we’ve experienced using the flowers and the accompanying lighter green leaves that grow where the flowers blossom. We just usually add this to boiling water for about 5 minutes or so and let steep for about a few minutes more. The water will turn a soft red and will have the gentle floral taste of the flowers. Classic rule of thumb is to use about one teaspoon of dried crushed herb per cup of water. We don’t usually crush them but just put in boiling water whole. We often will reuse them a few times just because we enjoy the gentle flavor it continues to release as it steeps. The Lord’s Kindness has made enjoying drinking Linden tea with great benefits and helps for us in such areas as:
Anxiety and Stress relief
Breaks fever
Aids kidney function
Respiratory health
Aids digestion including cramps and indigestion
Hypertension
Detoxification
Immune Booster
I’m sure there are others but this is a non-clinical bug in your ear on some of the goodness that God has put in Linden.
The wood of the Linden/Basswood tree is excellent for woodworking especially carving. It’s versatile as well as great for firewood although it is considered a soft wood.
God truly Cares and Provides for all our needs and this is just a teeny one of many ways God shows us He Loves us. Consider the Psalm below as a way of coming to know Who He is and how much this one Psalm contains to show His Thoughtfulness for all that He has made and that of course includes you and me. Let this “steep” and soothe and refresh your soul…and maybe have a cup of Linden tea.
Psalm 104 KJV
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:
4 Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.
6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.
7 At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.
8 They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.
9 Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.
10 He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.
11 They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst.
12 By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.
13 He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.
14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;
15 And wine(Hebrew Yayin) that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.
16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
17 Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.
18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.
19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.
20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.
21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.
22 The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.
23 Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.
24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
25 So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
26 There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.
27 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
28 That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.
29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
31 The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.
32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.
Until next time…
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