Time to Pick Lime Flowers.
The Small-Leaved Lime (Latin name - Tilia cordata), also known as the Linden tree, is in flower now.
The flower head is composed of 3-16 flowers and has a large thin bract at the base of the flower stalk. The flowers are yellowish white and incredibly fragrant.
Lime flowers are picked and dried for use as Lime tea. The flowers are picked with the bract. They are dried over 4 weeks in a dry, dark, warm place with good air circulation. When dry, they are stored in a dry place.
The dry flowers are used to make tea. Boiling water is poured over the flowers and they are left for 10 minutes, before the tea is strained.
Lime tea is a good medicine to help colds and flu in the winter.
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