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Tilia cordata

Tilia cordata

Other names: Lípa

Linden honey plant; flowers for tea.

Heart-shaped leaves and fragrant flowers.

Family
Malvaceae
Plant type
Tree
Safety level (indicative)
Generally recognised as safe
What the safety levels mean (expand legend)
  • Generally recognised as safe. Often a common herb with reasonable harvest and use; still read the specific warnings on the card.
  • Information. Primarily informational — details in the text and warnings below matter most.
  • Caution. Needs extra care (dose, duration, sensitive groups, interactions).
  • Risky. Significant risks — verify sources, contraindications and professional guidance.
  • Not for home experimentation. Not suitable to experiment with at home without knowledge and certainty.
  • High risk for internal use. Particular risk with internal use (e.g. alkaloids); avoid prolonged or irresponsible dosing.
  • Not specified. Level not filled in yet — rely on individual warnings and links below.
Lípa srdčitá — habitus rostliny (Wikimedia Commons).

Fotografie na Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0).

Plant habit

Quick overview

A practical summary; details are in the sections below.

Safety grade
Generally recognised as safe·details
Scientific sources on the card
Yes — sources are listed with claims·Science section
When and what to harvest
  • Flower — May–June
Full harvest section
Processing methods

Herbal infusion (tea), Syrup, Honey macerate, Cold maceration

All methods and recipes on the card
Topics and symptoms

Anxiety & inner restlessness, Breathing comfort, Circulation comfort (folk)…

Topics section · Symptoms overview

Identification and mix-ups

A leafy bract subtends the flower cluster.

Possible mix-ups and risks

Distinguish from large-leaved lime.

Similar herbs

  • Sambucus nigra

    Jarní a letní květinové čaje z dřevin; u bezu rozlišuj květ, list a zralé plody podle bezpečnosti.

Topics and symptoms

More topics are in the symptoms and topics overview.

Geographic occurrence

  • Czechia

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Austria

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Germany

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Hungary

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Poland

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

  • Slovakia

    Common (expected wild occurrence in the region)

Harvest

  • FlowerMay–June

    jaro

    Region: Czechia

    Notes: Harvest note (full translation pending): Kvetenstvi.

Storage

  • Drying(Leaf)

    Sušený rostlinný materiál uchovávej v uzavřené nádobě.

    Light:
    Mimo přímé UV.
    Moisture:
    Nízká relativní vlhkost.

Processing methods on this herb card

  • Herbal infusion (tea)(Flower)Suitability: High suitability

    Infusion or brief extraction in hot water; usually without long boiling.

    Full method description (from the catalogue)

    In the narrow sense, “tea” often means an infusion: you pour water just off the boil over the dried plant matter and let it steep for a few minutes. Temperature, steep time, and the herb-to-water ratio change both flavour and what dissolves into the liquid.

    Compared with a decoction, heat exposure is shorter and gentler; tender leaves and flowers are often better as an infusion than with prolonged simmering. For each herb, always follow the plant card for suitable plant part, preparation, and safety notes — general rules never replace species-level judgement.

    Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: no

    Procedure (recipe)

    Small-leaved lime flower tea

    About 10 min · Difficulty: Beginner

    Extraction parameters (rough guide): 250 ml water · 95–100 °C · 5–12 min steep

    1. Use 1–2 teaspoons of dried lime (linden) flowers per cup.
    2. Pour boiling water, cover, and steep 5–10 minutes.
    3. Strain — honey-like aroma; do not confuse with other Tilia species without firm identification.

    Why this way (extraction / behaviour of constituents)

    The HMPC text on lime flower covers marketed products including tea; home herb-to-water ratio and steep time change flavour and extraction of mucilage and flavonoids. Pouring boiling water can darken the infusion faster than gentler steeping.

    What is typically released
    Polární frakce a aromata z květenství.
    Solvent / water
    Voda.
    After preparation
    Ideálně ihned po přípravě.

    Extra literature for the recipe

  • Syrup(Flower)Suitability: High suitability

    Decoction or infusion with sweetener and reduction; shelf life depends on sugar and storage.

    Full method description (from the catalogue)

    Syrups combine a herbal base with sugar or honey and often a short boil to concentrate and improve hygiene. Preservation depends strongly on water content, sugar level, and bottling practice.

    Home syrups may fall under food rules; store in the fridge after opening per recipe.

    Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: no

    Procedure (recipe)

    Small-leaved lime flower syrup

    About 40 min · Difficulty: Beginner

    1. Collect fresh flowers after firm species identification and remove debris and insects.
    2. Cover with sugar syrup (for example 800 g sugar per 1 litre water) or simmer briefly with water and sugar, then macerate 24 hours cold.
    3. Strain, add lemon juice, warm briefly, bottle sterilised jars, and store refrigerated.

    Why this way (extraction / behaviour of constituents)

    Home preparation following this recipe is mainly educational and cultural; it should not be assumed to match the extractive or safety profile of registered medicines or standardized extracts. Check specific effects, drug interactions, and contraindications on the herb card and with your clinician if you use prescription drugs.

    What is typically released
    orientační domácí extrakce — profil závisí na teplotě, čase řezu a poměrech
    Solvent / water
    mediální složení (voda, alkohol, olej, med…) viz jednotlivé kroky
    After preparation
    po přípravě uchovávej hygienicky a podle typu výrobku (chlad, světlo, alkohol)

    Extra literature for the recipe

  • Honey macerate(Flower)Suitability: High suitability

    Macerating plant material in honey (a honey conserve).

    Full method description (from the catalogue)

    Honey as a maceration medium creates a viscous mixture with its own biochemistry: water activity, acidity, and enzymes influence shelf life and flavour. Traditionally it is used with delicate flowers or herbs when you want aroma bound into honey.

    Infant botulism guidance for honey and honey safety in general sit outside a single herb page; maceration time, ratios, and storage must follow a vetted recipe and source, not this general overview alone.

    Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: no

    Procedure (recipe)

    Small-leaved lime flower honey

    About 30 min · Difficulty: Beginner

    1. Fill a jar about one third with dried linden flowers and cover with honey.
    2. Macerate 3–4 weeks, then strain.
    3. Species identification matters when you harvest your own material.

    Maceration takes weeks.

    Why this way (extraction / behaviour of constituents)

    Home preparation following this recipe is mainly educational and cultural; it should not be assumed to match the extractive or safety profile of registered medicines or standardized extracts. Check specific effects, drug interactions, and contraindications on the herb card and with your clinician if you use prescription drugs.

    What is typically released
    orientační domácí extrakce — profil závisí na teplotě, čase řezu a poměrech
    Solvent / water
    mediální složení (voda, alkohol, olej, med…) viz jednotlivé kroky
    After preparation
    po přípravě uchovávej hygienicky a podle typu výrobku (chlad, světlo, alkohol)

    Extra literature for the recipe

  • Cold maceration(Flower)Suitability: High suitability

    Long steeping in cold or lukewarm water without boiling; gentler than a decoction.

    Full method description (from the catalogue)

    Cold maceration lets plant matter sit in liquid for hours to days at fridge or room temperature depending on the recipe. Extraction is slower and different from a hot infusion — useful for some aromatic parts when you want to limit bitterness or tannins.

    Always mind jar hygiene, herb-to-water ratio, and maximum storage time for the finished macerate; the exact procedure belongs on the herb card and in trusted references.

    Traditional context for this method: yes·Scientific context for this method: no

    Procedure (recipe)

    Cold infusion of linden flowers

    About 25 min · Difficulty: Beginner

    1. Cover fresh or dried flowers with cooled boiled water at about 1 tablespoon per half litre.
    2. Steep 6–12 hours in the fridge, strain — gentler aroma without boiling.

    Why this way (extraction / behaviour of constituents)

    Home preparation following this recipe is mainly educational and cultural; it should not be assumed to match the extractive or safety profile of registered medicines or standardized extracts. Check specific effects, drug interactions, and contraindications on the herb card and with your clinician if you use prescription drugs.

    What is typically released
    orientační domácí extrakce — profil závisí na teplotě, čase řezu a poměrech
    Solvent / water
    mediální složení (voda, alkohol, olej, med…) viz jednotlivé kroky
    After preparation
    po přípravě uchovávej hygienicky a podle typu výrobku (chlad, světlo, alkohol)

    Extra literature for the recipe

Traditional / spiritual use

Kept separate from science — entries are cultural or symbolic, not medical advice.

Related guides in the library

  • Village square shade and June linden blossom

    General

    Traditional useFolk useHerbal lore

    Small-leaved linden marks Czech squares, shade, and June flowering. Linden flower tea belongs to the summer image of home — culturally strong, medically always individual.

    Form:
    čaj z květů
    Claim strength:
    Tradition
    Source note:
    Urban and village green — cultural memory.

Scientific notes

Each claim lists a study type and a source (URL or DOI) where available. Dose notes from the literature are informational only.

How to read evidence strength and study type labels

Labels summarise how the catalogue entry is tagged — they are not a medical verdict on efficacy. For every row, read the summary, limitations and source link.

Evidence strength

Evidence level not specified
The author did not grade the record; judge from the summary, limitations and source link.
Narrative / orientational literature
Descriptive or expert literature without controlled group comparison — context rather than proof of effect.
Weak evidence
Study or conclusion with major methodological limits; treat only as a pointer for further reading.
Preliminary findings
First or smaller studies — interesting direction, not the final word on efficacy or safety.
Moderate strength of evidence
Moderate strength by study design; sample and context limits still apply.
Stronger evidence
Stronger design or consistency of results within the study’s stated limits.
Review article
A review summarises multiple sources; quality depends on review method and field.

Study type

Narrative / expert text
Expert text or overview without a classical study design.
In vitro study
Cell culture or test-tube experiment — does not show an effect in the body.
Animal study
Animal model — transfer to humans is not automatic.
Observational study
Observing groups without random treatment assignment; confounding is possible.
Clinical trial
Human clinical trial; sample size and control group matter.
Randomised controlled trial
Randomised controlled trials are among the stronger designs when well conducted.
Review study
A review aggregates multiple papers — quality depends on selection rules.
Systematic review
Systematic review with explicit search and selection methodology.
Meta-analysis
Statistical pooling of studies; outcome depends on input data and heterogeneity.
Regulatory assessment / monograph (EMA, WHO…)
Regulatory body summary for a herbal product — different context from a single RCT; often about products, not home tea.
Expert monograph (herbal preparations)
Structured literature summary for a plant or drug — quality depends on author and edition year.

  • Linden flower infusions are described in European phytotherapy references for common-cold symptom support; evidence mixes weak trials with traditional use frameworks.

    Evidence level not specifiedNarrative / expert text

    Limitations: Cardiac rhythm case reports with excessive consumption; allergy possible; not all Tilia species are documented equally.

    Vstup do odborné literatury (orientační)

  • Evidence summary (full translation pending): EMA HMPC pro lipovy kvet uvadi tradicni pouziti jako bylinny caj; dokumentace se vztahuje k definovanym pripravkum.

    Review articleRegulatory assessment / monograph (EMA, WHO…)Year: 2012

    Preparation form in the study: infusion

    Active compound / focus: flavonoidy, třísloviny (dle dokumentu)

    Limitations: Limitations (translation pending): Domaci pomery a kvalita suseneho kvetu meni chut i profil extrakce.

    Dose note (from literature): Dosage notes (translation pending): Viz PDF k pripravkum v dokumentu.

    EMA Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) — European Medicines Agency

    EMA: Final assessment report on Tilia cordata / platyphyllos / vulgaris, flos

Images

The main photo is in the card header. More images will appear here when available.

Safety

What the warning types mean

The type on each warning helps group themes — it does not replace the separate severity badge.

Internal use
Risks from swallowing, extracts, duration of use or concentration for internal use.
Interactions / medicines
Possible effect on medicines or concurrent treatment — check sources and a professional.
Raw plant parts
Raw, unripe or poorly prepared plant parts can be dangerous.
Toxins and regulation
Toxic constituents or regulated compounds (e.g. in distillates).
Contact with the plant
Skin or mucosa irritation from contact with fresh plant or sap.
Allergy
Allergic reactions, often linked to family sensitisation.
Harvesting and contamination
Contamination, species mix-ups or harvesting from unsuitable places.

No structured safety records yet.