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Herbs & Cultures

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Lime blossom tea

Tea of the fragrant blossom of the lime (linden) tree, in Europe one of the most familiar teas for colds.

Traditional use

Time
10 minutes
Makes
1 cup
Linden

In June the lime trees flower and the street smells of honey. The dried blossom was drunk as a tea all over Europe for colds. The European Medicines Agency recognises lime flower as a traditional remedy for the common cold and for mild mental stress.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 g dried lime blossom (about 2 tbsp)
  • 150 ml boiling water
  • Honey to taste

Step by step

  1. Pour the boiling water over the blossom.
  2. Cover, steep for 5–10 minutes and strain.
  3. Drink as hot as you can, 2–4 cups a day.

Tips

  • In June, pick the blossom of small- or large-leaved lime yourself, with the pale green bract, and dry it in the shade.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

Read more about effects and safety on each herb’s page.

  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 226

    Linden

    Tilia × europaea

    Traditionally attributed effects: calming nerve remedy, induces sweating, vasodilating, restores the vessel walls, lowers blood pressure.

    Western herbal medicine

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

The herbs in this recipe also appear in these traditions.