Labrador Tea

May 2nd, 2008

Botanical Name: Ledum latifolium (JACQ.)
Family: N.O. Ericaceae
Other Names: Bush tea,” Muskeg tea and Medicine tea,
Synonyms: St. James’s Tea. Ledum Groenlandicum.
Parts Used: Leaves and tops.
Habitat: Greenland, Labrador, Nova Scotia, Hudson’s Bay. Labrador Tea plants are often found in boggy areas and in forest clearings

Description: This evergreen shrub grows to a height of 4 to 5 feet, with irregular, woolly branches. The leaves are alternate, entire, elliptical or oblong, 1 to 2 inches long, the upper side smooth and woolly underneath, with the edges rolled back. The large, white, five-petalled flowers grow in flattened terminal clusters, opening in June and July. The plant grows in cold bogs and mountain woods. It is taller, more regularly formed, and has larger leaves than L. palustre. During the American War of Independence the leaves were much used instead of tea-leaves. They should be collected before flowering time, and the tops when the flowers begin to open.

Labrador Tea is an aromatic shrub which grows in abundance throughout the boreal forest, sub arctic and arctic tundra. It is said to relieve tension and has been used to relieve stomach complaints and headaches, or — as a warm bath — to treat arthritis of the hands. It is also used as an aromatic when spilled over hot rocks in a sweat lodge. To make Labrador Tea, a small quantity of leaves are boiled in water

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Bees are much attracted by the flowers, but animals do not browse on the plants, which are said to be slightly poisonous.

Strewed among clothes, the leaves will keep away moths, and in Lapland the branches are placed among grain to keep away mice.

In Russia the leaves are used for tanning leather.

Constituents: There has been found in the leaves tannin, gallic acid, a bitter substance, wax, resin, and salts.

Major Constituents:
limonene 29.91
ß-selinene 11.47
E-p-mentha-1(7),
8dien-1-ol 8.22
Z-carveol 7.12
p-cymene5.85
carvone 2.39
a-selinene 2.31
E-carveol 2.09
E-dihydrocarvone 2.04
E-p-mentha-2,
8-dien-1-ol 1.48
Isopiperitenol I 1.33
p-cymenene 1.30
a-gurjunene 0.92
ledol 0.65

Medicinal Action and Uses: The leaves are tonic, diaphoretic, and pectoral, having a pleasant odour and rather spicy taste. They yield their virtues to hot water or to alcohol. It is useful in coughs, dyspepsia, and irritation of the membranes of the chest. An infusion has been used to soothe irritation in infectious, feverish eruptions, in dysentery, leprosy, itch, etc. The strong decoction, as a wash, will kill lice. The leaves are also used in malignant and inflamed sore throat.

Dosage: Of infusion, 2 to 4 fluid ounces, three to four times a day. Overdoses may cause violent headache and symptoms of in toxication.

Traditional Uses: anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antitumor, analgesic, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, carminative, depurative, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, digestive stimulant, liver decongestant & regenerator, stomachic.

Skin: inflamed, irritated skin, cuts, wounds, allergic-hypersensitivities.

Respiratory: bronchitis, colds, coughs, congestion.

Muscular/Sketal: muscle pain, spasms, inflamed, swollen conditions

Immune: fevers, flu, allergies, hyper-sensitivities.

Digestive: stimulates digestion and liver, aids liver toxicity, viral hepatitis
(aftercare), eases enteritis, flatulence, solar plexus spasms.

Genito-Urinary/Reproductive: induces menstruation, increases urine flow, toxemia, (edema- simple water retention); eases prostatitis, decongests prostate.

Nervous Brain/Mind: nervous stomach, nervous tension, stress.

Safety Data: Avoid use on sensitive or damaged skin. Aviod in pregnancy, with babies & children. Appears safe at normal (low) physiological doses.

Other Species:
L. PALUSTRE (Marsh Tea, Marsh Cistus,Wild Rosemary, Wild Rosmarin, Rosmarinus Sylvestris [This species is used in Homeopathy.- EDITOR.], Porsch, Sumpfporsch, Finne Thé) grows in swamps and wet places of northern Europe, Asia, and America, and on the mountains of southern districts. The leaves are reputed to be more powerful than those of L. latifolium, and to have in addition some narcotic properties, being used in Germany to make beer more intoxicating. The leaves contain a volatile oil, including ledum camphor, a stearopten, with valeric and volatile acids, ericolin, and ericinol. The tannin is called leditannic acid.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider

Resources:
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/l/labrad01.html
http://www.aromatherapy-essential-oils.org/essentialoil/profile/labradortea/index.htm
http://ca.geocities.com/nbwilderness/labtea.html
http://www.clearwaterlake.ca/food.html