Omnia SanaCommon names in 21 European languages →
The complete database record: 3 documented constituents, 6 pharmacological actions, 12 traditional / indicated uses, with 14 cited sources.
Botanical Description
Large deciduous tree with a rounded crown and heart-shaped, finely toothed, asymmetrical leaves. Small, pale yellow, fragrant flowers hang in clusters from a distinctive pale green, leaf-like bract, developing into small, round, downy nutlets.[11]
Habitat & Distribution
Grows in deciduous woodland, hedgerows and as a widely planted street and park tree; native to Europe including Britain.[11]
Harvesting
The flowers, together with their attached bract, are picked shortly after opening in early-to-mid summer and dried quickly in a warm, shaded, airy place.[11]
Key Constituents
Antioxidant constituents associated with the diaphoretic and calming effects; tiliroside is highlighted as a key anxiolytic flavonoid of the genus.
Aromatic and astringent constituents.
Pharmacological Actions
Antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase-inhibitory (linden-flower extract scavenges free radicals and inhibits AChE in vitro)
Antispasmodic (traditional)
Relief of mild mental stress and to aid sleep (gentle calming); flavonoid fractions of Tilia (notably tiliroside) show anxiolytic activity in animal models via the serotonergic and GABA/benzodiazepine systems (mechanistic evidence from the related species T. americana)
Demulcent for cough and catarrh (soothing mucilage)
Diaphoretic infusion for feverish colds and flu (promotes sweating to support a fever)
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anxiolytic action
inferred from anticancer action
more plants for cancer (anticancer research) →detailed sources →
Diaphoretic infusion for feverish colds and flu (promotes sweating to support a fever)
Demulcent for cough and catarrh (soothing mucilage)
Diaphoretic infusion for feverish colds and flu (promotes sweating to support a fever)
more plants for insomnia / sleeplessness →detailed sources →
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from antispasmodic action
inferred from anxiolytic action
inferred from demulcent action
Relief of mild mental stress and to aid sleep (gentle calming); flavonoid fractions of Tilia (notably tiliroside) show anxiolytic activity in animal models via the serotonergic and GABA/benzodiazepine systems (mechanistic evidence from the related species T. americana)
Traditional Use & History
Linden flower has a long European tradition, recognised in the EU herbal monograph, as a gentle calming and sleep-supportive herb and as a diaphoretic remedy for feverish colds and flu, with modern research on its flavonoid fraction (notably tiliroside) supporting a mechanistic basis for the traditional calming action.[11]
Preparations
Dried flower (with bract) infused in hot water as the classic traditional calming and diaphoretic tea.
Dosage
The EU herbal monograph suggests around 2-4 g of dried flower per cup, up to several times daily as needed for calming or feverish colds. Educational reference only, not a prescription; well tolerated including in children per the monograph.
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally very well tolerated, including (per the EU herbal monograph) in children. A feverish cold that persists or worsens, or a high or prolonged fever, needs medical assessment.
Use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended in the absence of adequate data.
Harvest Readiness
[14]
External Identifiers
References & Sources
- Symma, N., Butergerds, M., Sendker, J., Petereit, F. and others (2021) 'Novel Piperidine and 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrole Alkaloids from Tilia platyphyllos and Tilia cordata Flowers', Planta Medica, 87(9), pp. 686-700. doi:10.1055/a-1340-0099 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1340-0099 - Yuksel, G., Ozhan, Y., Guresci, D., Guzelmeric, E. and others (2025) 'Tilia species (linden) exert anti-cancer effects on MIA PaCa-2 cells through the modulation of oxidative stress and inflammation', Scientific Reports, 15(1), pp. 2317. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-86457-2 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86457-2 - Czerwinska, M.E., Dudek, M.K., Pawlowska, K.A., Prus, A. and others (2018) 'The influence of procyanidins isolated from small-leaved lime flowers (Tilia cordata Mill.) on human neutrophils', Fitoterapia, 127, pp. 115-122. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2018.02.018 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2018.02.018 - Barreiro Arcos, M.L., Cremaschi, G., Werner, S., Coussio, J. and others (2006) 'Tilia cordata Mill. extracts and scopoletin (isolated compound): differential cell growth effects on lymphocytes', Phytotherapy Research, 20(1), pp. 34-40. doi:10.1002/ptr.1798 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.1798 - Melnyk, N., Pawlowska, K.A., Ziaja, M., Wojnowski, W. and others (2021) 'Characterization of herbal teas containing lime flowers (Tiliae flos) by HPTLC method with chemometric analysis', Food Chemistry, 346, pp. 128929. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.128929 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.128929 - Manuele, M.G., Ferraro, G. and Anesini, C (2008) 'Effect of Tilia x viridis flower extract on the proliferation of a lymphoma cell line and on normal murine lymphocytes: contribution of monoterpenes, especially limonene', Phytotherapy Research, 22(11), pp. 1520-1526. doi:10.1002/ptr.2524 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2524 - Mur, P., Feo Brito, F., Lombardero, M., Barber, D. and others (2001) 'Allergy to linden pollen (Tilia cordata)', Allergy, 56(5), pp. 457-458. doi:10.1034/j.1398-9995.2001.056005457.x Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1398-9995.2001.056005457.x - Siger, A., Antkowiak, W., Dwiecki, K., Rokosik, E. and Rudzinska, M (2021) 'Nutlets of Tilia cordata Mill. and Tilia platyphyllos Scop. - Source of bioactive compounds', Food Chemistry, 346, pp. 128888. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.128888 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.128888 - Martin, E.M.S., Sosa, A.M., Martinez, C.S., Prieto, J. and others (2024) 'In Vitro Antioxidant Activity and Anticonvulsant Properties on Zebrafish PTZ-Induced Seizure Model of a Tilia Aqueous Extract', Journal of Pharmacopuncture, 27(3), pp. 211-222. doi:10.3831/KPI.2024.27.3.211 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3831/KPI.2024.27.3.211 - Aguirre-Hernandez, E., Gonzalez-Trujano, M.E., Martinez, A.L., Moreno, J. and others (2009) 'HPLC/MS analysis and anxiolytic-like effect of quercetin and kaempferol flavonoids from Tilia americana var. mexicana', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 127(1), pp. 91-97. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2009.09.044 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2009.09.044 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2012) 'Community herbal monograph on Tilia cordata Miller, Tilia platyphyllos Scop., Tilia x vulgaris Heyne or their mixtures, flos (Tiliae flos)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/tiliae-flos Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/tiliae-flos - Guller, U. and Guller, P. and Ciftci, M (2021) 'Radical Scavenging and Antiacetylcholinesterase Activities of Ethanolic Extracts of Carob, Clove, and Linden', Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 27(5), pp. 33--37. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Radical%20Scavenging%20and%20Antiacetylcholinesterase%20Activities%20of%20Ethanolic%20Extracts%20of%20Carob%2C%20Clove%2C%20and%20Linden - Nogueron-Merino, M.C. and Jimenez-Ferrer, E. and Roman-Ramos, R. and Zamilpa, A. and Tortoriello, J. and Herrera-Ruiz, M (2015) 'Interactions of a standardized flavonoid fraction from Tilia americana with Serotoninergic drugs in elevated plus maze', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, pp. 319--327. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2015.01.029 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2015.01.029 - Plants For A Future 'Tilia cordata (Small-leaved Lime, Littleleaf Linden)'. Available at: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Tilia+cordata Traditional / reference
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Tilia+cordata
Selected studies & references
All 13 studies in the Knowledge Finder →
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.