Linden and Memory
by Susun Weed

Getting ready for my HealthyLife June show.
This year is focused on herbs that help memory.
Since dementia is a consequence of inflammation,
I included linden as a memory herb.
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But can I justify this?
Here's part of a long article from
Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2014 Aug 13
That looks at linden.
Not as an anti-inflammatory, but as an anticonvulsant.
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Anticonvulsant and Antioxidant Effects of Tilia americana var. mexicana and Flavonoids Constituents, Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2014 Aug 13
Abstract: "Tilia genus is commonly used around the world for its central nervous system properties; it is prepared as tea and used as tranquilizing, anticonvulsant, and analgesic.
"In this study, anticonvulsant activity of the Tilia americana inflorescences and leaves was investigated by evaluating organic and aqueous extracts in mice.
"Moreover, antioxidant effect of these extracts and flavonoids was examined in an in vitrostudy by using spectrophotometric technique.
"Significant activity was observed in the methanol extract from inflorescences..
"An analysis of the extract from inflorescences and leaves of Tillia demonstrated the presence of flavonoid constituents: quercetin, rutin, and isoquercitrin.
"In addition, significant but different antioxidant properties were obtained among the flavonoids and the extracts investigated.
"Our results provide evidence of the anticonvulsant activity of Tilia reinforcing its utility for central nervous system diseases whose mechanism of action might involve partial antioxidant effects due to the presence of flavonoids."
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This is very significant in terms of memory.
Memory loss and brain fog are symptoms of oxidative stress in the brain.
Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
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Consider:
* Oxidative stress is involved in the progression of aging and Alzheimer's disease.
* Free radicals damage mitochondria, increasing production of amyloid beta (Aβ).
* DNA repair dysfunction is more severe in the AD brain than in the aged brain.
* Inhibiting oxidation-induced changes improves cognition and reduces Aβ.
* Long term exercise effectively reduces oxidative stress and improves cognition.
* Countering oxidation prevents memory loss.
* Countering oxidation improves memory.
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Go linden go!
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Continuing with the study (Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2014 Aug 13)
"The Tilia genus belongs to the Tiliaceae family, which consists of 25–80 species, and it is mainly distributed in Europe and Asia, with a few species in North America.
"In México, T. americana is known as Tilia and it is distributed in 14 states across both the northern and southern parts of the country.
"Infusions of Tilia are widely used in traditional medicine in Europe and Latin America for the treatment of enterocolitis, gastroenteritis and liver, and renal colic, but mainly due to its tranquilizing activity.
"Phytochemical studies have demonstrated that the Tilia genus synthesizes hydrocarbons, esters, aliphatic acids, polyphenols, and terpenoids with demonstrated heterogeneity in their flavonoid patterns when flowers and leaves are sampled independently. Glycosides of quercetin and kaempferol are the main active compounds of the inflorescences
"In previous studies, significant and dose-dependent antinociceptive and anxiolytic-like activities were demonstrated after administration of hexane, methanol, and aqueous extracts of Tilia inflorescences."
> [antinociceptive = inhibition of the detection of a painful stimulus by nociceptive (pain) neurons.]
> [anxiolytic = relieves anxiety]
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"Tilia extracts possess capacity to trap multiple reactive species.
"These results suggest that free radial scavenging might be a part of the mechanisms underlying the antinociceptive, anxiolytic, and sedative effects previously observed in experimental models and in human use of traditional medicine for T. americana.
"The methanol extract of leaves showed a significantly higher scavenger activity. [vodka = ethanol]
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"It has been demonstrated that antioxidant properties of plants depend on the constituents in leaves, inflorescences, and fruits as well as chemical profile, extract type, part of the plant, species, light exposition, life cycle, and time of plant germination, flowering, and harvest."
Study that statement. Read it again. Let it inform your remedy making.
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"Phytochemical studies have reported that flavonoids, such as quercitrin, isoquercitrin, kaempferol, astragalin, hyperoside, tiliroside, quercetin-3,7O-dirhamnoside, and kaempferol-3,7-O-dirhamnoside, are major components of methanol extracts from the Tilia genus."
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Hmmmm.
Other studies?
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Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of linden (Tilia platyphyllos L.) infusion against induced oxidative stress in rats. J MembrvBiol, 2014 Feb
Toxicological and anti-tumor effects of a linden extract (Tilia platyphyllos Scop.) in a HPV16-transgenic mouse model, Food Funct. 2021 May 11
Hydroethanolic extracts rich in phenolic compounds obtained from T. platyphyllos Scop. have shown in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties.
[hydroethanolic = water + alcohol = vodka, e.g.]
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Food for thought.
Linden for memory.
Don't forget.
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Recollect linden beauty.
Remember the give-away dance of breath.
Synchronize your heart with the earth's heartbeat.
Recall that you are surrounded by green blessings.
Gratitude
Joy