Lovely Lindens

For the last two weeks the air on our block has smelled like honey because of the Linden Tree in front of my neighbor's house. Lindens are also called Lime, go figure, they are unrelated to the citrus. All the cracks in the sidewalk in front of my house are filled with golden jetsam of the Linden flower remnants, and already small seeds are emerging.

A friend of mine made tea from Linden flowers last Saturday, which was very pleasant and tasted like she had added honey although she hadn't. Somewhere I read that honey made from the Linden flowers is highly desirable.

On herbalsafety.com I read about the Linden's many medicinal qualities. One caviat I came across: don't drive after taking Linden because it causes drowsiness. Good thing I was taking the subway that night.

Here's a list of some its uses (from herbalsafety.com) if anyone has an interest:

• Germany’s Commission E has approved Linden flower for the treatment of cough and bronchitis (Gruenwald et al., 2000; Blumenthal, 2000).
• Linden flowers contain antioxidant and free radical scavenging compounds (Choi et al., 2002;Yildirim et al., 2000).
• The charcoal made from the inner bark (known in Spanish as albura), taken internally, serves as an adsorbent to treat intoxications and diarrhea (Starek, 2001; Arteche and Vanaclocha,1998).
• Topically, the charcoal made from the inner bark is used to treat skin abrasions and ulcers (Arteche and Vanaclocha, 1998).
• Linden flower infusions (teas) have generally been regarded as non-toxic and diluted teas are commonly given to overanxious children as a mild sedative (Arteche and Vanaclocha, 1998; Bremness, 2000).