Labrador Tea

Rhododendron groenlandicum. Also known as Ledum groenlandicum.

Family: Heath(Ericaceae)

Habitat: South Eastern, South Central & Central Alaska. It's also found in other parts of North America & Greenland.

Description: Small slow growing evergreen shrub, with leaves similar in appearance to rosemary. The leaves are small with dots on top and have a rusty hairy underside. The leaves have a aromatic odor. The flowers are white and have five petals with long stamens. The fruit is a dry, hairy capsule holding many seeds. The fruit is in clusters of five.

Predators: Caribou and moose eat the twigs. Humans use the leaves to make tea. It can also be a host to a fungus called spruce needle rust.

Labrador Tea leaves can be used to make tea, but should be drank in moderation. In large doses the tea acts as a diuretic & will cause intestinal problems. First nation’s people used Labrador tea to treat dizziness, headaches, stomachaches, colds, kidney problems & asthma. It was also used for burns, dandruff, dry skin & head lice. This tea has been know to cause drowsiness is some people, but has a relaxing effect on others. The nutrients found in Labrador tea are copper, thiamin, vitamin c, iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, vitamin d, vitamin e, calcium, sodium, pantothenic acid, carbohydrates and fiber.

It is important not to confuse Labrador Tea with a similar looking plant called Trappers Tea. Trappers Tea can be toxic, if consumed. Both species can be found in the same habitat. They can be distinguished by looking at the leaves. Trappers Tea leaves have a white hairy appearance, while Labrador Tea has a rusty hairy appearance.

Resources:

Plants Of The Pacific Northwest Coast By, Pojar & Mackinnon

Alaskan Wildflowers By, Verna E. Pratt

Naturalstandard.com
http://www.naturalstandard.com/index-abstract.asp?create-abstract=/monographs/herbssupplements/labradortea.asp

nutrograph.com
http://nutrograph.com/7186-tea-tundra-herb-and-laborador-combination-alaska-native

Alberta Plant Watch
http://plantwatch.fanweb.ca/plant-information/labrador-tea