Linden Tea Benefits and Side Effects That You Should Know

Linden Tea Benefits

The benefits of drinking linden tea include boosting the immune system, preventing chronic disease, relaxing the body and mind, soothing inflammation, lowering cancer risk, detoxifying the body and improving digestive efficiency, protecting heart health and relieving painful periods. This tea also has a few mild side effects such as skinirritation or minor allergic reactions for those who are sensitive to the plant. However, side effects are quite rare and this tea is considered safe for nearly everyone, with the exception of pregnant women and certain people with existing heart conditions.

What is Linden Tea?

Linden tea is derived from the leaves of the linden tree, also commonly known as the lime tree, scientifically known as Tilia cordata. This herbal remedy has been popular and trusted for centuries, and remains a go-to treatment for a number of basic health conditions. This tea is often called linden flower tea, as the flowers are used to prepare it, not the leaves. This is how the majority of herbal teas are prepared. The many health benefits of linden tea can be attributed to the impressive range of antioxidants and active ingredients, including phytochemicals, flavonoids, quercetin, and coumarin, along with limited amounts of other essential vitamins and minerals.

Linden Tea Health Benefits

You should drink linden tea if you are struggling with anxiety, chronic stress, depression, high toxicity levels, fever, high cholesterol, intense menstrual cramps, a weak immune system, oxidative stress, muscle aches or joint disorders, and also if you are at high risk for cancer.

Cancer

Antioxidants like quercetin and coumarin, which are found in significant levels in linden tea, are able to directly neutralize free radicals, which are the natural byproducts of cellular metabolism. These free radicals cause inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as cellular mutation and apoptosis. [5]The antioxidants in linden tea are specifically known to counter cancerous cell growth and will inhibit cell death.

Heart Health

Linden tea can impact heart health in a number of ways beginning with lowering inflammation in the blood vessels and arteries. Following this, the antioxidants are able to lower blood pressure and prevent blood clotting, significantly lowering the risk of atherosclerosis or blood clots. [8] Together, this can reduce your chances of suffering a heart attack, stroke or coronary heart disease. However, due to the cardiotoxic nature of certain compounds in linden tea, if you have a history of heart disease, you should avoid drinking this herbal remedy.

Menstruation

Linden tea has anti-spasmodic and soothing qualities, making it particularly valuable for women who suffer from painful periods. Dysmenorrhea is extremely common, but a relaxing cup of linden tea can counter those symptoms, while also improving mood swings and hormonal fluctuation. [4]

Anxiety and Depression

Some of the essential oils that are released when this tea is brewed can have positive effects on stress and anxiety levels. These natural relaxing qualities can lower the amount of stress hormones in the body, which can reduce strain on the heart and metabolism, and soothe oxidative stress as a result of inflammation. This mood-boosting property can also aid those with depression.

Immune System

Aside from the immune-boosting properties of linden tea’s antioxidants, the diaphoretic nature of this tea can also break fevers and promote faster recovery. [6] Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory compounds in linden flowers is known to soothe tissues of the respiratory tract, making it easier to expel mucus and phlegm, and eliminating some of the most common symptoms of colds and flus, such as sore throats and congestion.

Inflammatory Conditions

The compounds found in linden tea have strong anti-inflammatory effects throughout the body, ranging from muscle aches and joint disorders to inflammation in the blood vessels and respiratory tracts. This full-body impact of this herbal tea means that your immune system has time to rest and repair, while also relieving pain and discomfort in multiple organ systems.

Digestion

The anti-spasmodic quality of linden tea will help to settle upset stomachs and lower levels of inflammation in the gut. This will lead to more normal bowel movements and function of the smooth muscle in your digestive tracts, while also soothing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, flatulence, ulcers, and diarrhea.

Side Effects of Linden Tea

There are very few side effects of linden tea but for people with certain conditions, use of this tea can be dangerous.

Allergies – In rare cases, contact dermatitis can occur when brewing linden tea and mild allergic reactions in the stomach or mouth may occur. If you are allergic to other plants in the Tilia genus, using this tea is not recommended.
Pregnancy – There has been a very limited amount of research done on the effects of linden tea during pregnancy, but due to the high levels of volatile compounds and antioxidants, it is not recommended for use. The effects it can have on painful menstruation may also increase the risk of miscarriage or premature labor. Similarly, for breast-feeding mothers, drinking this tea could pass along certain potent chemicals that your infant doesn’t need.
Heart Conditions – Some of the active ingredients in linden tea may have cardiotoxic properties, so if you are already suffering from or have a history of heart disease, you should avoid this tea.

How Do You Make Linden Tea?

If you want to brew linden tea at home, all you need is dried linden flowers, hot water and a bit of sweetener for flavor, although the tea already has a natural sweetness to it. Fresh linden flowers can also be used but dried flowers are more widely available, particularly from herbalist or natural health practitioners.

Recipe

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon of dried linden flowers (crushed into a powder) / 2 teaspoons of fresh linden flowers
1 cup of water (filtered)
1 teaspoon of organic honey, if desired