When and how to collect lime blossom?

When and how to collect lime blossom - this question is of interest to many. In this article, we will consider at what time you can collect the color for drying, and how to dry it correctly for tea for the winter.

According to archaeologists, the collection of linden blossom has been going on for thousands of years. Man has always revered linden as a medicinal and simply aromatic plant. The tree has always been considered sacred, it was never chopped for firewood, children were taught not to break linden branches. Linden seedlings were often planted around temples, this tradition has survived to this day. Herbalists have long hung a cross woven from linden twigs around the neck of sick people, and the disease receded. The linden scent has attracted wasps and bees for centuries - they pollinate trees, give fragrant honey. Today natural linden honey is highly valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties, especially against the background of synthetic flavors.

Since ancient times, amulets against demonic forces have been cut out of wood, together with the aspen, linden branches were strengthened on the front doors - it is believed that this protects a person's dwelling from negative energy. The Slavs had a belief that in stormy weather it was necessary to hide under the spreading linden trees, lightning never strikes them. The tree, according to ancient legends, has a kindred spirit with the Mother of God, poems were composed about it, wonderful paintings were written from it.

Linden blooms from about 10 days to 2 weeks, in the month of June. Because of this, the collection of flowers is limited in time. In the middle lane, different regions of the country have different harvest times, and the flowering time may start later due to weather conditions. But it is always June, the beginning - in hot summer, middle - in cold, rainy weather. It is difficult to miss the beginning of flowering: the tree is covered with a bright yellow color, near it blows a sweetish honey aroma.

When linden begins to fade, its flowers become unsuitable for harvesting, acquire a brown hue, and crumble when plucked. It is best to harvest raw materials at noon, then the flowers fully open... Cut off color together with bracts - with a leaf and an inflorescence leg - the easiest way is with your hands or with ordinary scissors, which, for convenience, are tied to a short cord to the wrist. They do not pick flowers in the city, in the dew or after rain. Collect in due time seeds, nuts, remaining after flowers. Herbalists use them for medicinal purposes. From them, you can grow small shoots over the winter for planting new trees.

There are important rules when it comes to picking linden blossom. It is not recommended to collect it from the trees of the forest belt located along roads, highways, near industrial enterprises, cemeteries, sewers. Herbalists do not take color from linden trees growing alone among the fields or in small groups - there is room for all the winds in the field, and the greatest amount of dust accumulates there. The best place to pick linden blossom - these are wooded banks of rivers, lakes, artificial reservoirs. There is always little dust here, it does not litter the tree.

Damaged inflorescences affected by diseases are not taken - they are distinguished by a dull color, the presence of rusty spots, and dark bracts. Environmental services prohibit cutting trees, breaking off branches for the convenience of collecting raw materials. It would be wrong to destroy trees near apiaries.

Leaves, inflorescences, cones, tree bark are harvested for the winter. Each raw material has its own collection time.

Nuances that you should know when collecting lime raw materials:

• most of the flowers should be loose, this is an indicator of the optimal time for their collection;
• collect raw materials in the morning, always in dry, warm weather;
• pluck the color with the bracts - nature stores many useful properties in them;
• in cold weather, when the air temperature is not more than + 26 ° C, nectar is released intensively - the collection of raw materials in such weather is optimal, the harvested inflorescences are of the greatest benefit;
• for a year, it is enough to prepare 1 kg of raw materials, it will be enough for one family until the next flowering.

If the linden blossom is harvested only for tea and accidental colds, one kilogram of dry raw materials is enough for a family. It is not recommended to collect more so that the linden can complete its natural cycle - the seeds ripen, they are scattered by the wind around for the growth of new trees.

The collected inflorescences are laid out on paper, cloth. Dried under a canopy, not blown by the winds. Today there are special dryers - if they are used for quick drying of linden blossom, the temperature in them should be set no higher than + 40 ° С. Air drying lasts no more than 2-3 days. During this time, the raw materials should be gently mixed several times for uniform drying. This preserves their healing and nutritional powers in the inflorescences.

They simply check the degree of drying - the peduncles break, acquire a yellowish tint, and lose their lively aroma. This is correct, because in winter tea the linden blossom still gives a bright color, a pleasant smell of summer, and health. Fold the finished dried inflorescences in paper bags, fabric bags to ensure normal air access. Ceramic crockery with lids is suitable for winter storage. Containers made of glass or plastic are categorically unsuitable. In such dishes, pollen deteriorates, the color and foliage lose their healing power.