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Linden flower

Linden flower suppliers and sourcing guide

Linden flower is the dried flowering cyme, with its pale leaf-like bract, of small-leaved and large-leaved linden trees (Tilia cordata, Tilia platyphyllos and the hybrid Tilia x europaea). It is collected in early summer, mostly in Europe and China, and dried quickly to keep its color and aroma. Brands buy cut and sifted flower for herbal teas, powder for capsules, and water or water-ethanol extracts.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Tilia cordata · Tilia platyphyllos · lime flower · Tiliae flos · tilleul
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of linden flower

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Cut and sifted flower with bract

    Tea-grade dried flower and bract, the standard herbal-tea form, sold by cut size.

  • Powder

    Milled dried flower for capsules and blends.

  • Dry extract

    Water or hydroalcoholic extract dried to a powder, sometimes sold on total flavonoids.

  • Liquid extract

    Hydroalcoholic or glycerin extract for liquid products and flavorings.

  • Organic

    Flower from certified organic or certified wild-collected trees, with the certificate tied to the lot.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Identity (macroscopy, microscopy, HPTLC)
Checks to confirm Tilia cordata, T. platyphyllos or T. x europaea and flag silver linden (Tilia tomentosa) or other species where the spec excludes them.
Flavonoid assay
Total flavonoids by a named UV or HPLC method, where the specification sets a minimum.
Foreign matter
Percentage of leaves, twigs and other foreign matter in cut grades.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, checked against the buyer's limits and any Prop 65 exposure targets.
Microbiology
Total plate count, yeast and mold, E. coli or coliforms, and Salmonella.
Pesticide residues
Multi-residue pesticide screen, required for organic claims and commonly requested for conventional material.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep dried herb and powder sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry, dark place; cut herb loses aroma and color with light and air, and powder picks up moisture once opened. Dry extracts are hygroscopic, so reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification.

Lots and expiry dates

Species mix, color and flavonoid content vary with harvest region and season, so check each lot's COA against your specification. Record the supplier lot, species and origin, and rotate stock first-expiry-first-out.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • 21 CFR 182.10 lists linden flowers (Tilia spp.) among spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings generally recognized as safe for their intended use.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • 21 CFR 182.20 also lists linden flowers (Tilia spp.) among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives generally recognized as safe for their intended use.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • Health Canada's Linden natural health product monograph lists the dried flower of Tilia cordata, Tilia x europaea and Tilia platyphyllos as source material.

    Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)

  • The European Medicines Agency's Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products has a European Union herbal monograph for lime flower (Tiliae flos) from Tilia cordata, T. platyphyllos and T. x vulgaris.

    Source: ema.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Linden flower suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking linden flower suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell linden flower? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of linden flower can brands buy?

Common forms include cut and sifted flower with bract, powder, dry extract, liquid extract and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for linden flower include?

Expect identity (macroscopy, microscopy, HPTLC), flavonoid assay, foreign matter, heavy metals, microbiology and pesticide residues, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should linden flower be stored?

Keep dried herb and powder sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry, dark place; cut herb loses aroma and color with light and air, and powder picks up moisture once opened. Dry extracts are hygroscopic, so reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification.

What is the regulatory status of linden flower?

21 CFR 182.10 lists linden flowers (Tilia spp.) among spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings generally recognized as safe for their intended use. 21 CFR 182.20 also lists linden flowers (Tilia spp.) among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives generally recognized as safe for their intended use. Health Canada's Linden natural health product monograph lists the dried flower of Tilia cordata, Tilia x europaea and Tilia platyphyllos as source material. The European Medicines Agency's Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products has a European Union herbal monograph for lime flower (Tiliae flos) from Tilia cordata, T. platyphyllos and T. x vulgaris.

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