Limes are trees that grow up to 30 metres in height. They have wide heart-shaped leaves with serrated edges and yellow-green perfumed flowers in drooping cymose clusters.

They grow in mountainous areas (between 1,000-1,500 metres), in beech and maple forests and generally in shaded areas.

COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION

The flowers and their bracts are collected during a dry period, when they are two thirds open. Once collected, they must be dried in a well-aired place. Lime blossom has a characteristic and slightly aromatic smell and a fairly sweet, mucilaginous and pleasant flavour.

PART USED

Inflorescences and bracts. Occasionally the outer layer of the phellem (sapwood).

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

The most important components of the inflorescences are their flavonoids (rutin, hyperoside, quercitrin, etc.). One has to point out the presence of essential oil and very thick mucilage.

PROPERTIES AND INSTRUCTIONS

ACKNOWLEDGED TRADITIONAL USE
The use of inflorescences for the treatment of colds and to calm cold associated coughs is officially recognised by the German European Commission.

COMMON USE
Sedative, diuretic, stomachic and spasmolytic.

CONTRAINDICACIONES

Its use is not recommended if suffering from bile duct obstruction or when taking anticoagulants.

COMBINATIONS

In order to strengthen its calmative action in an herbal tea, it is combined with orange blossom, prepared from bitter orange.

PRESENTATION

As an herbal tea, it can be found both in its simple form (plant used for herbal teas, extracts, etc.) and together with numerous blends, which are mainly sedatives, for the treatment of colds, flu and respiratory catarrhs.  

DID YOU KNOW ?

In the 16th century lime wood was brought to light because it was never attacked by woodworm.