For those other than tree-huggers, you may well not know the lime tree. It is stately and has green heart shaped leaves, but has few other distinguishing features, other than for a short time around midsummer, its glorious scent. This comes from the small flowers that are a creamy-yellowy-green, which hang down from the branches and throw out a scent as exotic and inebriating as any hot house flower and for this reason it was often planted in avenues along the drives to stately homes to delight carriage-travelers on balmy summer nights.
It is the flowers that are used medicinally (although the bark is sometimes used) and unlike a lot of herbal medicines, they actually make a pleasant tasting tisane or infusion (as long as you are not expecting your usual PG Tips!) which is due in no small measure to the aromatic principles. It is widely drunk in France as a beverage and the harvest of the flowers there is something of an annual event. Alas, we tend to overlook the gastronomic treasures on our doorsteps in this country and it is not much lauded amongst the tea-drinking British. However, one advantage it does possess over 'ordinary' black tea is that it has a very low tannin content, so if you are trying to cut down on tannin, to help your digestion or maximise your absorption of iron or other minerals, then lime flower tea could be a good substitute for your usual cuppa.
It is a great circulatory relaxant and anti-spasmodic which makes it helpful for a number of conditions where this action is indicated, such as hypertension (high blood pressure), tension headaches and some migraines. It is a good drink to offer someone with nervous tension or shock, who needs a calming hot drink and can also be helpful in some cases of insomnia, especially if combined with lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). Herbalists use it often for for increasing the peripheral circulation alongside other remedies such as hawthorn and yarrow.
It is thought to be a good herb to increase the body's resistance to infection. Useful for children suffering from colds, upper respiratory tract infections and nervous anxiety, it is a relatively gentle but effective herb. Even helpful for babies, a weak infusion can be given to alleviate teething problems and for fretful infants generally.
Lime flowers can be obtained fairly easily from health food shops either in tea bags or as loose herb. For adults use 1 teaspoon to a cup of boiling water, cover to preserve the volatile oils and infuse for 10 minutes.
This information is meant for educational purposes only and not intended as a guide to self-treatment. You should always seek professional advice. Remember that herbs can interact with other drugs and may be contra-indicated if you have certain medical conditions, allergies, are pregnant or lactating. Don't take too much of anything for too long and discontinue immediately if you have any ill effects. Take care when using wild plants or any herbs, that you have the correct species from a reliable source.
Catherine Schofield BSc MNIMH Herbalist Cheshire Herbs and Herbal Medicine