Small-leaved Linden - Tilia cordata

Detailed Description

A revered herb for respiratory issues, officially recognized in the Czech Pharmacopoeia since 1948!

Botanical Info

Small-leaved Linden is a deciduous, broadleaf, stately tree characterized by a spreading or pyramidal crown that can reach up to 40 meters in height. Its sturdy trunk can be up to 1 meter in diameter and is covered by a thin, dark gray, smooth bark. The tree's branches grow upright and become denser and more branched with age. The leaves are heart-shaped, 3–8 cm long, petiolate, veined, smooth on top, finely hairy underneath, and alternate along branches. Buds are black-brown and alternate. Flowers appear from June to July, are bisexual, yellow-white, corymbed, and grow in clusters of 5 to 11 blooms with a strong, captivating fragrance. The fruit is a globular nut, 6–7 mm long and 4 mm wide.

Origin and Distribution

Small-leaved Linden is native to Europe, with a range stretching as far north as Scandinavia and the United Kingdom, eastward to the Caucasus and Siberia, and south to Portugal, Spain, Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey. Beyond Europe and Western Asia, it is also found in many regions globally, notably in North America, Australia, and Eastern Asia (especially South Korea). In the Czech Republic, Small-leaved Linden is a common sight up to elevations of 900 meters and is a prominent feature in woodlands, parks, avenues, and roadside plantings.

Usage / Dosage

Small-leaved Linden boasts rich historical significance as an ornamental tree and a symbol of national heritage. In the United States during the 17th and 18th centuries, it was intentionally planted in city planning, with similar practice found in Berlin’s Unter den Linden. In Medieval Europe, its wood was used for weapon making (e.g., in Beowulf), and it remains the national tree of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, as well as a national symbol in Slovenia.

Small-leaved Linden is valued for high-quality wood, prized by woodcarvers and carpenters. It has long been planted as a shade tree in parks and gardens and is also used in the production of musical instruments, furniture, charcoal (including medicinal charcoal), and in crafts such as basketry and rope-making. The bast from Linden has applications in footwear and cord making.

Most notably, Small-leaved Linden is cherished for its medicinal benefits. The official medicinal part is the flower with its bract (Flos tiliae), used alone or mixed with other herbs. It is most frequently employed as a supportive remedy for maintaining respiratory health. The mucilaginous compounds in Linden flowers, especially when blended with elderflower or white dead-nettle, are popular for addressing inflammatory respiratory conditions, colds, and productive coughs—aiding phlegm release and easier expectoration. Linden flower teas targeting coughing and respiratory tract health are widely available, especially in German herbal shops. Studies have shown partial antibacterial and antimycotic effects of Small-leaved Linden extracts, beneficial against pathogens affecting the respiratory tract.

In vitro studies indicate Small-leaved Linden extracts can reduce lipid peroxide activity, suggesting notable antioxidant properties. Actives also display antispasmodic (cramp-soothing), hypotensive (blood pressure lowering), astringent, diaphoretic (promoting sweating), and mild sedative effects. Linden flower is regularly used in Germany and Poland for cold and fever relief. In Poland, it is sometimes used to support digestion.

Since 1986, studies have confirmed the antispasmodic effect of Linden flower extracts on duodenal tissue. Flavonoids and phenolic acids from the flowers showed clear antispasmodic effects in independent trials, while further research in 2007 described the reduced motility and activity of digestive smooth muscle due to Linden actives.

Some compounds in Linden exhibit gentle diuretic effects, making it useful for kidney complaints, urinary tract infections, and bladder inflammation. These substances mildly stimulate water excretion through improved kidney function, help cleanse the urinary tract, and create a diuretic effect.

In some cases, Linden flower helps to soothe, reduce anxiety, and alleviate nervous tension. Animal studies confirm that actives from Small-leaved Linden affect the central nervous system, prolonging sleep, reducing anxiety (behavioral method), and delivering a myorelaxant effect, likely mediated by stimulation of the benzodiazepine receptor.

Flavonoids present in Linden may lower cholesterol levels and at appropriate doses strengthen blood vessels. Blumenthal et al. (1998) described that the hypotensive effect is likely due to nervous system suppression. In Poland, Linden flower has been officially used for calming effects since 1978 (Ozarowski).

The rich array of compounds in Linden flowers continues to be investigated for therapeutic potentials. Most flavonoids and coumaric acid have been shown to promote sweating, while other studies report a partial hepatoprotective effect. A 2010 paper suggested possible antidiabetic and antihypertensive effects, providing dual prevention in linked cases. Otoom et al. (2006) reported similar antidiabetic effects in a small clinical study when Linden was used with other herbs.

Traditional Use

Linden flower is widely recommended in traditional remedies for colds, respiratory tract inflammation, nasal congestion, fever, sore throat, and headaches. Folk medicine uses decoctions and infusions for bronchitis and as an expectorant to help dissolve and expel mucus from the respiratory tract.

Linden is also used in self-care for nervous tension, to encourage sweating, and for incontinence or urinary difficulties. In traditional applications, hot Linden infusions are applied topically for burns, muscle cramps, cellulite, rheumatic conditions, and inflammatory disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Key Compounds

The most valuable compounds are found in the flower. These include hydrocarbons (alkanes such as hexane and heptane), carboxylic acids (tartaric, malic, caffeic, coumaric, chlorogenic acids), their salts, polysaccharides (rhamnose, galactose, arabinogalactans, arabinose, glucose, mannose), uronic acid, flavonoids (hesperidin, rutin, quercitrin, isoquercitrin, myricetin, hyperoside, astragalin, tiliroside, kaempferol, quercetin), glycosides, terpenes (farnesol, geraniol), phenols (tocopherol, kaempferol), tannins, saponins, trace elements (manganese, iodine), and natural steroids.

Traditional Dosage

According to pharmacopoeial recommendations and longstanding traditional practices, dosage and frequency naturally vary. Generally, 2–4 g of the dried flower are steeped in hot water for tea, allowed to infuse, and consumed 1–2 times daily as needed. Notably, in the Czech Republic, dosing is not restricted for children: 1.5 g of herb in 250 ml water 2× daily for children aged 4–12 years, and 1× daily for children aged 1 year and up.