Linden: A Tree for the Heart & the Nervous System

Why This Gentle Herbal Ally is One of My Favorites

There’s something magical about herbs that come from trees. Maybe it’s the way they seem to hold deep-rooted wisdom — or how their leaves sway gently in the wind like they’re reminding us to slow down.

That’s one of the many reasons I’ve fallen in love with linden.

Linden (also known as Tilia or basswood) is a flowering tree with heart-shaped leaves and sweet-smelling blossoms. The flowers, leaves, and bracts are used to make a mild, fragrant tea that’s been cherished for centuries — especially for calming the nervous system and supporting heart health.

Personally, I reach for linden when I feel overwhelmed, mentally overrun, or just a little too tightly wound. It’s gentle, yet grounding — like an exhale in a mug.

I’ve blended it into several teas before, but I especially love it in Summer Sunrise, a seasonal favorite that just restocked in the shop for the summer. It pairs beautifully with calendula, lemongrass, and other bright herbs, adding just the right amount of calm to a cup meant to brighten your day.

Benefits of Linden Tea

Linden is known for being:

• Calming to the nervous system

• Supportive for anxiety and restlessness

• Helpful for sleep and tension

• Gentle on the heart — both physically and emotionally

• Mildly sedative without being groggy

• Diaphoretic (great during colds or fevers)

• Safe for children and elders alike

Its flavor is soft and floral, almost honey-like — soothing enough to sip on its own, or blended into more complex teas.

How to Use Linden

You can brew linden as a tea by steeping 1–2 teaspoons in hot water for 10–15 minutes. It’s naturally caffeine-free, so it’s a wonderful evening option or a midday stress relief.

Linden also pairs beautifully with herbs like lemon balm, chamomile, oatstraw, and rose — all of which have nervous system support in common.

Where to Find It

You’ll find linden featured in my Summer Sunrise blend — a vibrant, feel-good tea that brings together uplifting and calming herbs for a balanced cup you can enjoy hot or iced.

If you’re curious about trying linden on its own or in blends, it’s one of those herbs that grows on you — subtle, steady, and quietly powerful.

You can grab a bag of Summer Sunrise right here. Explore our other teas here or Join the Email List to stay up to date with our homestead and new product launches.