Labrador Tea

 All around our propert grows this evergreen vine-like shrub that I kept being drawn too while we were walking around, taking in the spring sunshine and fresh air. I flashed a few pics of it with my phone, took it to a group of fellow wild-herb enthusiasts and confirmed my suspicions...

My Herb Journal Notes

Ledum groenlandicum 
L.palustre
L. glandulosum aka Trappers Tea - white underneath
L. latifolium
Common name: marsh tea
Also considered part of the Rhododendron family so you will often see these scientific names as R. groenlandicum, etc. instead.

Tonic, diaphoretic, and pectoral. Also considered a narcotic.
Was used by natives as a medicine. European settlers used it as a beverage to replace tea, a tradition taken up by natives during the time of settlers.
Blood purifier, treat rheumatism, combat cold symptoms, yteat stomach ailments, hangovers, dizziness, pulminory disorders including tuberculosis. A wash soothes rashes, poison ivy, sores, burns, leprosy.
Marinade for strong meats and tannins used to tan hides. Has ben used in beer making.
Use as a wash against lice and other insects.

In a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in 1992, Dr. Allison McCutcheon and colleagues found the branches of Labrador tea act as an antibiotic against E. coli and Bacillus subtilis. Previous studies demonstrated the floweringheads in an extract were effective against both bacteria as well as the yeast Candida albicans. Other researchers also found extracts from the leaves active against Staphylococcus aureus bacterium.  ~Beverly Gray

Toxicity

I had to ask, when I first started looking into Labrador tea - Is it really toxic? Can we really base these decisions on the poisoning of stock animls who have ingested entire stands of it? Bases is on Ledol or ledum camphor, much like suspicions of comfrey being toxic being based on studies on lab rats.
So I did my reading and what I learned is yes BUT L. groenlandicum is supposed to be safe in a small dose as it has the least amount of ledol and its tisane often drunk for its medicinal use. I would not drink more than 1-2 cups a day though, if you decide to drink often and do not brew longer than 5-10 minutes.

Look-a-likes - bog rosemary, bog laurel, as well as other types of Labrador, all of which are considered toxic but do not have that rust looking fuzz underneath.

Harvest and Brew

Best harvested in spring when bright green but available to harvest year round - choose wooly, fragrant leaves
Leaves oft retain color, shape and flex even when dried. Store whole.
Blend in tea with rosehips, wood sorrels, licorice fern, anise hyssop, wild ginger, mint, citrus fruit peel, or chai herb mix may be used for flavor. Can also be cut with black tea.
Steam crushed hern up to 10 minutes


I will keep you all updated on how this tea works out for me.
Green Blessings
December