{"id":1852,"date":"2020-07-03T10:37:14","date_gmt":"2020-07-03T09:37:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/84.18.216.250\/~herbalreality\/?post_type=herb&p=1852"},"modified":"2026-04-16T14:36:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T13:36:11","slug":"limeflower","status":"publish","type":"herb","link":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/limeflower\/","title":{"rendered":"Limeflower"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":1382,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","beyondwords_generate_audio":"1","beyondwords_integration_method":"rest-api","beyondwords_project_id":"47224","beyondwords_content_id":"859124cd-5b77-4ce8-907b-4a3dce41ad52","beyondwords_preview_token":"62e12bb6-a0ed-4628-954b-c94298c1450c","beyondwords_player_content":"","beyondwords_player_style":"","beyondwords_language_code":"","beyondwords_language_id":"","beyondwords_title_voice_id":"","beyondwords_body_voice_id":"","beyondwords_summary_voice_id":"","beyondwords_error_message":"","beyondwords_disabled":"","beyondwords_delete_content":"","beyondwords_podcast_id":"","beyondwords_hash":"","publish_post_to_speechkit":"","speechkit_hash":"","speechkit_generate_audio":"","speechkit_project_id":"","speechkit_podcast_id":"","speechkit_error_message":"","speechkit_disabled":"","speechkit_access_key":"","speechkit_error":"","speechkit_info":"","speechkit_response":"","speechkit_retries":"","speechkit_status":"","speechkit_updated_at":"","_speechkit_link":"","_speechkit_text":""},"tags":[79,83,53,42,54,43,1896,49,47],"conditions":[696,694,685,695,697],"sustainability":[1576],"sense":[18,17,27],"western_action":[1007,992,997,1000,1003,1005,1008,1017,1018,1019,1829],"chinese_action":[],"ayurvedic_action":[],"energetics_action":[1499,1498,1382,1490,1494],"writer":[2020],"region":[1893],"class_list":["post-1852","herb","type-herb","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-anxiety","tag-aromatic","tag-cold","tag-digestion","tag-flu","tag-indigestion","tag-linden","tag-stress","tag-sweet","conditions-nervous-system","conditions-cardiovascular-system","conditions-digestive-system","conditions-respiratory-system","conditions-urinary-system","sustainability-green-sustainability-status","sense-bitter","sense-aromatic","sense-sweet","western_action-diaphoretic","western_action-anti-inflammatory","western_action-antispasmodic","western_action-astringent","western_action-carminative","western_action-demulcent","western_action-diuretic","western_action-nervine","western_action-relaxant","western_action-sedative","western_action-thymoleptic","energetics_action-astringent","energetics_action-bitter","energetics_action-cool","energetics_action-relaxing","energetics_action-sweet","writer-rebecca-collison-walker","region-western-herbs"],"acf":{"last_reviewed":"20241224","herb_author":1235,"banner_text":"Limeflower reduces stress, anxiety and heart palpitations","latin_name":"Tilia europaea, T. cordata<\/span><\/i>","pseudonym_name":"Tilleul","family_name":"Malvaceae","herb_summary":"Limeflower has been used for centuries as a relaxing tea for anxiety and feverish colds. The flowers have a delicate honey flavour and support the circulatory and nervous system.","key_benefits":"Restlessness and anxiety\r\nFeverish colds\r\nCirculatory problems","how_does_it_feel":"The best way to taste the qualities of limeflowers is to use them (and the attached pale green leaf-like bracts) to make a strong tea, preferably in spring when the flowers are out and they can be harvested fresh from the tree. The gentle, almost incense-like fragrant and resinous honey-like flavour that leads to a sweet, slightly acrid and weakly bitter taste and then a lingering floral fragrance.<\/span>","hdif_image_1":11817,"hdif_image_2":13637,"hdif_image_3":11818,"hdif_video":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/0azqjLIdChc","sense":[17,18,27],"what_can_i_use_it_for":"Limeflower can support relaxation and encourage sleep, particularly where an individual may be affected by nightmares or night sweats. Limeflower eases stress, anxiety and associated symptoms, such as palpitations. It is also often classed as a herb suitable for use in the treatment of children (1).<\/span>\r\n\r\nLimeflower\u2019s main traditional use in Europe has been as a tea for colds and respiratory infections where feverish symptoms are setting in. Hot chills and a raised core body temperature are signs of elevated immune activity. Rather than taking paracetamol or other medication that suppresses this immune response, herbalists instead strive to support the body to raise a fever safely. Limeflower tea will help steady the process, limiting the temperature from rising too high by inducing sweating at the appropriate place in the fever cycle, and reducing irritation and other tension-related symptoms. This approach will require ample bed rest for a couple of days; however, this method supports a stronger immune system long-term. <\/span>","into_the_heart_of":"[caption id=\"attachment_8592\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"500\"]\"Limeflower Limeflower (Tilia europaea<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThere is a lack of consensus over the energetic qualities of limeflower, with some texts suggesting that limeflower is energetically cooling and moist, whereas others describe its properties as warming (2). This is sometimes seen in herbs that have a diaphoretic action that increase peripheral circulation. thus promoting vasodilation. Warming herbs tend to invigorate the circulation whilst also creating a centralising warmth in the centre (heart), which is true to limeflower (3).<\/span>\r\n\r\nMills describes limeflower as a peripheral vasodilator that, in Galenic terms, is classed as hot in the first degree. Its action relaxes and opens up the peripheral circulation and directs vitality and warmth to the tissues (3).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nWood, however, discusses its cooling and moistening effect that may be best applied for irritable, atrophic tissue states where there is weakness in the tissues or they are understimulated and cellular health is diminished. The concept of cooling may, in this case, refer to its ability to modify inflammation and irritability in the tissues (2).<\/span>\r\n\r\nWhether its actions are cooling or heating, limeflower offers deep tissue rejuvenation, particularly where the nervous and cardiovascular tissues are involved (2).<\/span>\r\n\r\nLimeflower calms the nerves and relaxes the blood vessels and muscles. It improves the peripheral circulation, lowers the blood pressure and encourages healthy sweating (diaphoresis) during a fever (2). Its calming effect also extends to the cardiovascular system and can reduce palpitations, especially when they are associated with nerves or anxiety.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nLimeflower has gentle antispasmodic and sedative properties, making it effective in treating insomnia, anxiety, agitation and nervous headaches (4).\u00a0<\/span>","tradtional_uses":"Limeflower has been used since the middle ages, and most often as a remedy to manage fevers, applicable to any member of the family from the very young (even infants) to the very old. They were among the first choices across Europe for the home management of feverish colds and infections, used as a tea to lower the temperature curve without suppressing the beneficial work of the fever in combating the infection. <\/span>\r\n\r\nLimeflower was also highly prized as a home relaxant, used in much the same way as <\/span>chamomile<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Matricaria chamomilla<\/span><\/i>) tea, to calm restlessness, irritability and anxiety, particularly in children. It has been used as a specific remedy in Germany for influenza in children.<\/span>","what_practioners_say":"

\"CardiovascularCardiovascular system<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\r\nUsed in hypertension, palpitations, arteriosclerosis and any heart-related condition that is exacerbated by stress or anxiety. Modern practice has also seen the potential of limeflower in the treatment of other disorders of the circulation, including varicose veins, phlebitis, migraine and auto-immune attacks on the vessel walls, such as arteritis.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nIt has long been used in England and France as a remedy in migraines and other headaches, especially in cases where a soothing effect on the vessel walls would be reinforced by a systemic relaxation and spasmolytic effect. The vasodilatory action will also reduce any constrictory tone in peripheral vessels.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe mechanism of action for limeflower regarding ability to affect tone in the blood vessels is understood to be created through a synergistic effect of its flavonoids and saponins. Lime flowers also affect the cardiovascular system through its antispasmodic and relaxant actions which contribute to its vasodilatory effects (3,4).<\/span>\r\n\r\nIt is sometimes included in a formula in the treatment of <\/span>hypertension<\/span><\/a> (high blood pressure), through a restorative and relaxant effect on the vasculature and ability to reduce the hardening of arteries (5).<\/span>\r\n

Nervous system<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\r\nLimeflower has a number of different applications for conditions of the nervous system. It impacts the nervous system as a relaxant and elicits these effects best where there is tension and constriction. Indicated for insomnia, especially among children, limeflower may be used for recurrent nightmares, anxiety symptoms, such as palpitations, mild depression, and stress-induced migraines (3). For nervousness or anxiety limeflower offers calm in acute situations, such as panic, exam stress or social anxiety (4).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Respiratory system<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\r\nLimeflower is a soothing <\/span>expectorant<\/span><\/a> and can be used to treat coughs, catarrh, bronchitis and asthma (4,6).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Urinary system<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\r\nLimeflower is a diuretic and helps to eliminate toxins through the kidney, helping to treat cystitis and urethritis (4).<\/span>","research":"[caption id=\"attachment_3236\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"504\"]\"Limeflower Limeflower (Tilia europaea<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThere has been very little research conducted into the medicinal effects of limeflower. Although animal studies are not condoned by Herbal Reality, some have been included to demonstrate the potential pharmacological actions of this plant.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and nephroprotective activities of <\/span>Tilia cordata<\/span><\/i> and isolation of bioactive compounds<\/span><\/h3>\r\nAn <\/span>in vivo<\/span><\/i> study was carried out to evaluate the constituents present in the aerial parts of limeflower. An 70% ethanol solution was used for extraction (7). This revealed limeflower to have kaempferol, quercetin, vitexin, kaempferol 3-O-\u03b1-rhamnoside, quercetin 3-O-\u03b2-galactoside, and kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside as key constituents. These isolated compounds were then also tested in animal models and were found to have anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive and nephroprotective actions. This suggests these actions of the herb may be largely attributed to its flavonoid constituents (7).<\/span>\r\n

Flavonoids from <\/span>Tilia americana<\/span><\/i> with anxiolytic activity in the plus-maze test<\/span><\/h3>\r\nThis preclinical study was carried out in mice to investigate the anxiolytic activity of flavonoids present in <\/span>Tilia americana<\/span><\/i> (8). A methanolic extract and a bioactive flavonoid fraction (rich in tiliroside and quercetin derivatives) were administered orally, in dosages ranging between 25\u2013100 mg\/kg. Acute dosing significantly increased time spent in open arms of the elevated plus maze without impairing movement, suggestive of its anxiolytic effects (8).<\/span>\r\n

Pharmacological evaluation of the anxiolytic and sedative effects of <\/span>Tilia americana<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\r\nIn this mouse study, hexane and methanolic extracts of <\/span>Tilia americana<\/span><\/i> inflorescences were evaluated for sedative and anxiolytic effects (9). Acute oral doses of between 10\u2013300 mg\/kg methanol extract) potentiated sodium-pentobarbital-induced sleep and reduced anxiety-like behaviour in the elevated plus maze. Behavioural effects were observed 15\u201360 minutes after administration. The methanol extract had more significant effects, supporting the traditional use of limeflower as a sedative nervine with dose-dependent hypnotic properties (9).<\/span>\r\n

Interactions of a standardized flavonoid fraction from <\/span>Tilia americana<\/span><\/i> with serotonergic drugs<\/span><\/h3>\r\nThis mechanistic rodent study explored the anxiolytic effects of a standardised flavonoid extract from <\/span>Tilia americana<\/span><\/i> and its interaction with serotonergic pathways (10). Oral doses of 12.5\u201350 mg\/kg were shown to elicit significant anxiolytic effects in the elevated plus maze, with an ED of approximately 15 mg\/kg. The pharmacological interaction experiments suggested 5-HT\u2081A and 5-HT\u2082A receptor activation. The study provided mechanistic support for the traditional nervine and anxiolytic uses of limeflower (10,11).<\/span>\r\n

Evaluation of anxiolytic effects of dietary supplementation with <\/span>Tilia tomentosa<\/span><\/i> bud extracts<\/span><\/h3>\r\nThis preclinical study assessed the anxiolytic potential of <\/span>Tilia tomentosa<\/span><\/i> bud extracts administered as a dietary supplement in mice (12). Animals received the extract as a dietary supplement over several weeks, after which, behavioural anxiety tests (including elevated plus maze and open-field assays) were carried out. Supplementation was found to produce anxiolytic-like effects, with variations according to age and sex. These findings support traditional gemmotherapy indications of limeflower buds as gentle, long-term nervines.<\/span>","did_you_know":"There has been a long popular tradition in France and other European countries to go as families to collect limeflowers in spring and dry them for use throughout the year. <\/span>Tisane de tilieul<\/span><\/i> was the standard family remedy for colds, fevers and restless children.<\/span>","additional_information_right":{"illustration":266691},"additional_information_left":{"botany":"The limeflower or linden tree is a large, canopy tree that can reach heights of up to 30 m. Its leaves are alternate, petilate ovate, with a serrate edge and sharp apex.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe parts used in teas and medicines are the creamy white flowers on long stems out of characteristic pale-green lance-shaped leaf-like bracts (a bract is part of a flower that resembles a leaf). The flowers are a creamy white and produce a sweet, light scent reflecting their taste (11).<\/span>\r\n

Alternate botanical names<\/span><\/h3>\r\nThe three main species of limeflower used in herbal medicine are; <\/span>Tilia x europea<\/span><\/i>; <\/span>T. phatyphyllos <\/span><\/i>and <\/span>T. cordata<\/span><\/i> (4). There are around 45 species of lime tree around the world, some of which may be supplied as one of the three accepted species (11).<\/span>","common_names":"