Picking while hiking: linden

We often find linden trees on our hiking paths. You will be surprised to discover all that can be done with this beautiful tree!

WITH CHRISTOPHE DE HODY, FOUNDER OF 'NATURE PATHS' WHOSE MISSION IS TO PASS ON KNOWLEDGE OF WILD PLANTS AND THEIR USES TO FUTURE PICKERS, DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF LINDEN!

Before you start, read our few tips to be a perfect picker :)

1/ A little bit of latin!

The small-leaved or cordate linden (Tilia cordata Mill.) is a member of the Malvaceae family.The tree can reach 30 m and live a thousand years. It is easily recognized by its silhouette with ascending but curved branches at the end.

The leaves have a heart shape, their upper side is very green while the lower side is duller with clusters of small red hairs on the veins. The leaves are alternate, serrated and pointed. The flowers have five petals and are yellowish-white in colour, fragrant.

Its fruit is round, hard and ball-shaped.It contains one or two small dark brown seeds.

2/ In my kitchen

Invite linden into your kitchen!

The linden leaves are rich in complete proteins (containing all essential amino acids), vitamins, minerals and trace elements.They are also high in easily assimilated sugars, even for people with diabetes.

The sweet-smelling flowers are rich in vitamin C.

As for the roasted seeds they can be used as a coffee substitute.The seeds contained in the fruit are edible, they are rich in lipids and have a taste between almond and hemp seed.

Linden leaf salad

INGREDIENTS

Small-leaved linden leaves, flowers and flower buds

Red clover flowers

A few radishes

A home-made salad dressing

PREPARATION

Pick the linden leaves in the spring, when they are all tender. Pick just the leaf (without the stem) along with the flowers and flower buds (the flower stage just before it opens). Avoid picking the peduncles (located just below the flower) which are fibrous. Complete with a few clover flowers picked.

Wash and spin dry the plants then chop the linden leaves.In a salad bowl, combine the chopped leaves, flowers and flower buds. Add thin slices of radish. Separate the many small clover flowers one by one and add them to the salad.

Season with a home-made salad dressing and it's ready!

3/ In my pharmacy

The lime tree is a tree rich in remedies !

Its flowers are rich in essential oils, vitamin C and manganese.They are calming, they promote sleep, soften the mucous membranes of the skin and they help to fight against muscle spasms. They are useful in case of sleep disorders, anxiety, mild nervous disorders such as nervous fatigue in both adults and children.

Its leaves are used instead for their analgesic, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.

The bark underlay, also called sapwood, is a drainer for the liver and kidneys.It plays a vital role in purifying and eliminating waste from the body. It thus helps to fight against the formation of stones (in the liver, kidneys, bladder) and fights against arthritis, rheumatism, sciatica, migraine states, cellulite.

Inflorescence infusion

Preparation: For 150ml of boiling water over a teaspoon of dried linden flowers (about 2g). Filter after 10 or 15 minutes.
Use: You can drink a cup, two to three times a day and an hour before bedtime in case of sleep problems or anxiety.

Contraindications

None to our knowledge.

Thanks to christophe de hody

who helped us write this article!

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Want to know more about picking plants while hiking? Follow the advice of Christophe, a naturopath, herbalist and botanist for 9 years and founder of Le Chemin de la Nature (Nature Trail) website.