The European Linden - Tilia x europea

At my first encounter with the European Linden tree in The Netherlands city of Den Hague in 1995, the full beauty and utility of this tall, stately deciduous tree with its numerous, low- hung spreading branches was not readily apparent.

The modern English name is modified from the medieaval English name line, and the tree is in no way related to the citrus lime fruit.

The linden tree is traditionally found in front of farmhouses in The Netherlands, where it is planted parallel to the facade in numbers of twos or threes, the trunks banded white with lime.

I came to Bulgaria from the USA midwest where it is flat, rolling plains, not knowing what to expect here in Eastern Europe; a friend had told me about sitting among these fragrant "lime" trees on a late spring night with his girlfriend. So I associated the tree with romance. There are found many treasures in Bulgaria, and I encourage you to pause for a while and look through our numerous photo galleries and use this opportunity to learn why Bulgaria is such a treasured place ... from the hills of the Rhodope mountains where once Orpheus played his lyre to the waters of the Black Sea. The bottom of the Black Sea, anathema to life, is a balm for wooden ships.

Blossom

The tree produces a fragrant nectar-
filled blossom, source of the medicinal herb Lime Blossom.

This is a very special herb that not only can gently lower blood pressure, it is a mild relaxing remedy, and anti-spasmodic as well, making this the ideal herb for people who have high blood pressure associated with stress, anxiety and so on.

In early June, the fragrant blooms of the Linden tree have just started to open.

Honey made from the Linden tree is the world's most valued and is used in liqueurs and medicine. The honey, along with Linden tea, is used to induce sweating and counter colds, flu, and reduce fever. Linden tea is recommended for nervousness, insomnia, cramps, and indigestion due to inability to relax while eating; therefore it is a classic finale to a hearty meal and is served in restaurants and cafes across Europe.

Linden tree blossoms are creamy in color, extremely fragrant and are especially
attractive for honey bees. You will find a large number of these trees spread across many parts of Bulgaria, where it is known as Lipa. In France, it is Tilleul.

Although there can be no time more delightful than a late spring evening, with the clean, light delicate perfume of these blossoms gently wafting through the air, some poor souls have developed an unfortunate allergy to the Linden blossom pollen, and may spend these spring evenings in misery.

It reaches a height over 100 feet with dark green foliage. This tree flowers in late May or early June, and attracts not only an
unusually profuse number of honey bees but also an array of butterflies.

Linden flower baths are used to treat anxiety, hypertension, as well as soothe rheumatic aches. They can calm irritable and restless children too.

Even the bark of the Linden tree is useful; homeopatic medicine uses it to treat kidney and gout stones and coronary disease.

Linden tree bark charcoal is an excellent absorbent which is particularly useful in absorbing toxins. It also calms a stressed digestive system allowing digestive enzymes to be produced and released. Indigestion and nervous vomiting are also treated with this ingredient.

The Linden trees which filled the air with the fragrance of their blossoms in early June have produced clusters of small pale green berries about the size of a pea by early July. Some will mature and fall to the ground. The mature fruits are nutlike berries and often hang onto the tree far into winter. The Linden is the only indigenous tree with an indestructable power to regenerate.

There is some rather interesting information about the Linden tree and its place in pre-Christian Europe at this site:

LINDNER - LINTNER MEMORABILIA

Also read about the Linden here

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