thirty species of handsome large- or medium-sized trees, native to the north temperate zone, whose taxonomy is much confused because of free hybridization among many members. All Lindens grow best in rich moist soil, and shed their leaves early in dry locations.
LINDEN Tilia cordata Mill, L.( Bello-Russ. Academy of Science, Minsk, 1965)
The species are characterized by prominent winter buds and the lack of a terminal bud; the leaves, which are mostly roundish ovate with oblique and more or less cordate bases, are always toothed and often have tufts of down in the axils of the veins of the lower surface. Flowers are dull white or yellowish, about ½ in. wide, with five sepals and petals and numerous stamens cohering in groups in many species. The flowers appear in June and August and are very fragrant and produce copious amounts of nectar, which is very attractive to bees. The Linden honey is of high quality and rather strong flavour. One of two varieties produce substances poisonous to bees. The fruit is the size and shape of a pea, commonly called Monkey Nuts. The fine wood grain is soft and light, making it ideal for carving, and it was used by the Iroquois Indians. Of no use in construction. Medicinal Parts: Flowers and leaves. Solvent: Boiling water. Bodily Influence: Nervine, Stimulant, Tonic. Uses: A well known and much used herb for domestic use in nervous conditions and disorders following colds. Promotes perspiration in fevers and relieves cough and hoarseness, helps remove mucus from the lungs and trachea, and provides relief from bronchial catarrh. Advisable to combine with Coltsfoot( Tussilago farfara) for this purpose. The infusion will also flush the kidney, bladder and stomach of unwanted mucus when present, and avoid the development of serious abdominal conditions which are sometimes the cause of lung and windpipe complaints. It is also excellent for female complaints, and has had a great reputation for aid in epilepsy. Dose: Infusion of leaves or flowers— 1 teaspoonful to 1 cup of boiling water, steep ½ hr., cool and drink as frequently as required. Tincture, 15 – 20 drops as indicated by condition. Externally: Poultices on boils and other painful swellings. Homoeopathic Clinical: Tincture of fresh blossom— Dentition, Enuresis, Epistaxis, Leucorrhoea, Lichen, Neuralgia, Peritonitis, Rheumatism, Toothache, Urticaria, Uterus( bearing down in; prolapses of; inflammation of). Russian Experience: Russian Lippa( Linden) is a most popular tree, there being eleven species throughout Russia, sometimes growing so closely that Lippa foliage is all that can be seen. It is estimated that there are about 2,500,000 acres of pure Linden trees, besides many square miles of assorted trees.