What Are the Uses of the Purple Linden Tree?

Linden has medicinal, edible, and ecological values. Firstly, its medicinal properties are bitter and warm. Its main functions include dispelling wind and eliminating dampness, promoting blood circulation and relieving pain, relieving cough, treating rheumatic pain, numbness of limbs, bruises and fractures, and chronic cough. The recommended dosage is 15-30 grams for internal use, which can be decocted in water or soaked in wine. For external use, it can be applied in appropriate amounts soaked in wine. In traditional Yi medicine, Linden is used to treat women's cold abdominal pain and leucorrhea. Its fruits and leaves are used to treat labor-related waist pain and rheumatic joint pain. The bark of Linden is used to treat bruises and rheumatic numbness.

Secondly, Linden flowers are also valuable for edible purposes. In Germany and France, it is customary to drink Linden flower tea. The preparation is simple: the flowers and leafy bracts are dried together and then crushed and steeped in boiling water. The tea has a light and slightly sweet taste, and it is believed to have the effects of invigorating qi, nourishing the stomach, relieving pain, and detoxifying.

Lastly, Linden also has ecological value. It can help eliminate harmful gases and reduce dust pollution. Linden trees can play a role in mitigating haze pollution, which is a major concern for people today. Species such as broad-leaved linden, Nanjing linden, and hairy silver linden, with their large leaves and hairy undersides, have excellent dust retention effects. Planting a large number of Linden trees can help improve the local environment to a certain extent.