Tilia cordata
Etymology
The French name tilleul comes from Latin tilia, which may derive from Greek tilos, meaning "fiber", and cordata means "heart-shaped", referring to the leaves. In ancient times, linden bark was used for weaving shields, mats, baskets, shoes, and ropes. The tree was sacred to Germanic peoples and dedicated to Frigga, goddess of fertility and maternal love. It also appears in Greek and Norse mythology.
Habitat and Distribution
Tilia cordata belongs to the Tiliaceae family, with around 50 species, of which only two are important in medicine: small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata) and large-leaved lime (Tilia platyphyllos). Native to European forests, it grows at elevations up to 1,500 m, preferring cool, deep, fertile, acidic to neutral soils. It is long-lived, with a lifespan of up to 500 years.
Ecological Value
Its creamy white, fragrant, nectar-rich flowers bloom in June. The honey-like scent is so intense in summer that July was once known as “the month of the linden”. After flowering, it produces small, dry, round, grey fruits attached to a wing called a samara.
Culinary and Medicinal Value
Young linden leaves are harvested from April and can be eaten raw in salads. The flower nectar makes a prized, aromatic honey. Linden blossom tea is a traditional remedy for colds and flu, with antispasmodic, expectorant, diuretic, and sweat-inducing properties. It also has calming, thirst-quenching and anti-stress effects. Linden promotes restful sleep and soothes nervous exhaustion and anxiety. It is also used as a bud macerate. Compresses soaked in linden tea are recommended for eye inflammation. Powdered linden charcoal can be used medicinally – it is disinfectant and binds acids and toxins in the stomach when ingested.
Recipe for lime leaf salad (in French) : https://cueilleurs-sauvages.ch/blog/salade-de-tilleul/
Sources :
https://www.aroma-zone.com/page/le-tilleul-tilia-bienfaits-proprietes-et-contre-indications