Ipsophyto

No. 6 Lime Flowers Tillia cordata/platyphyllus  Tilliacea family.
Aka Linden tree

This is one of the few temperate zone examples of a mostly tropical family. The Lime tree neither smells of nor produces lime flavoured fruit, another horticultural plant name blind alley. Once again this is a plant that is easily found, harvested and used to assist the overstressed male in his search for an instant drinkable chill out following a hard days work, or play! This is one of nature’s strongest tranquillisers.

Research has found that Tillia species contain compounds, such as gamma-amino-butyric-acid, that are found also in the brain (where they are messenger molecules). These work on the benzodiazepene receptors in the brain, as does Valeriana officinalis, enabling the dampening down of the brain’s messaging ‘chatter’, so constant in our minds in western society. This results in an increased state of relaxation via sedation of the specifc area of the brain that needs to quieten down. It is obvious that if the brain relaxes, then so do you

This tree is renowned for both the heady late spring scent and its graceful silhouette created in the winter, at a time when all trees bear their souls. The trademark of the Lime are the regularly almost opposite dark coloured branches arching up and outwards like shoulders and arms.

Tillia species have found a home all over the UK except in the north of Scotland. They can happily live on their own as seen by the number of specimens planted in parks, as well as in old thickets and hedges and in woodland throughout a number of broadleaved habitats.

The bark of mature trees takes on a close patterned dark grey fissure in elongated narrow tapered ridges. The brown red stems of last year’s growth are home to alternate red oval buds. Buds break by May into broadly ovate leaves, dark green above, with lighter undersides. The leaves carry sharp-toothed-margins and have acuminate leaf tips whilst cordate at the base. A long petiole connects leaf to branch.

There are leaf size differences as well as overall plant size differences between the species. However, the medicinal flowers are collected from all species mentioned. These arrive in full display, uncannily for a plant that has esteemed powers over the domain of mercury and the mind, at a time of year when the astronomical sun is moving through the constellation of Gemini. In other words they bloom during the month of June.

The exquisitely scented flowers grow in small clusters of four to ten flowers. These cymes are pendulous, yellow / white and consist of 5 sepals and petals with many prominent stamens. The long stalks originate from the centre of large pale green bracts with resulting pale yellow green fruits reaching no more than 10 mm across

Parts Used
The flowers with bracts. These are harvested during flowering.

Preparation
Flowers should be dried quickly and carefully as to avoid exceeding 27°C. Tinctures are commonly 1:5 in 25% alcohol

Constituents
Volatile oil inc Farnesol, phenolic acids, proanthocyanadins, condensed tannins, flavonoids, mucilage, sapponins( same one here as in horse chestnut), oestrogenic substances

Action
Peripheral vasodilator, diaphoretic, relaxant, diuretic,

Applications,
This plant is widely used throughout Europe for its gentle sedative action, valuable to induce a restful sleep, relaxing a tense nervous system and musculature. Lime has been employed usefully to treat feverish colds and as an anti-catarrhal remedy used in respiratory infections. German physicians prescribe it specifically to children for influenza. It can also help with arteriosclerosis.