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![Lime Blossom Hydrolat]() | Lime Blossom Hydrolat | Lime is a tall, graceful tree that grows up to about 30metres high. It has smooth bark, spreading branches and bright green, heart-shaped leaves. The yellow-white flowers grow in clusters and have a very powerful scent. The blossoms do not last too long however as they are very delicate and have to be harvested carefully.
The blossoms are usually made into tea, along with the leaves and there is also a solvent extracted absolute essential oil that is harvested, although this is very expensive given the fragility of the flower. Linden tea has been drunk for centuries for indigestion, palpitations, nausea, hysteria and as a liver tonic.
Tilia europa is steam distilled just for the hydrolat - to distil a true essential oil from the delicate blooms is almost impossible and prohibitively expensive. The hydrolat is known to be astringent, antispasmodic, cephalic, sedative and tonic to the liver. The hydrolat is also used for headaches, migraine, liver pains, indigestion and cramps. It is also very valuable for deep-seated stress and depression.
Price and Price (2004) say that lime is calming and relaxing, particularly for an over-active mental state. It is used as a sedative to help combat insomnia and also to calm babies and animals. The taste of the hydrolat is comforting and very like green tea, but softer and less bitter and it is delicious when combined with other waters such as cornflower and cassis.
Liver tonic beverage
Put 30mls of lime hydrolat in a large glass and add 100mls hot water. Add a slice of fresh lemon, and if needed for taste, half a teaspoon of honey. Mix well and drink leisurely. Taken several times a day this will help the body to detoxify and will improve the performance of the liver. Since liver health is directly linked to levels of depression, this drink can also be used to help to improve depression and lift the spirits. Because Lime helps to calm the mind it can also help to control 'mental chatter'.
Shingles and chicken pox
Use undiluted lime hydrolat on a cotton pad over the site of the pustules of either shingles or chicken pox to help prevent spread and irritation. Alternatively use 50ml of the hydrolat in a warm bath.
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