Benefits of Labrador Tea, How to Make, Health Benefits, Safety, & Toxicity
Labrador Tea, also known as Bog Tea, Hudson Bay Tea, or Muskeg Tea, is a well-known northern plant with two primary species, Rhododendron Tomentosum and Rhododendron Groenlandicum. Hyperboreal Herbs harvests Tomentosum, which grows approximately 100 miles south of the Arctic Circle.
Tomentosum is the primary labrador tea in interior and northern Alaska, while Groenlandicum is both the main labrador tea to the south and the specific labrador tea that most people think of. Although the two species are nearly identical, there are a few key differences, which we will discuss shortly. Unfortunately, many self-proclaimed experts do not know the difference between the two.
Labrador tea belongs to the Ericaceae family, which includes rhododendrons, bearberry, azaleas, huckleberry, and cornflowers.
For years, I ignored labrador tea despite its intoxicating aroma. When I first learned about it, like many people, I was warned that it was toxic if consumed in large quantities. While this is true, there are nuances and details that can make using this plant safe and intelligent.
We add labrador leaves to a few our specialty-grade house blends that make up our Tundra Series.
Our Tundra series is Silver Tundra, Purple Tundra, Green Tundra, and we’re working on a Red and possible Black Tundra.
TRADITIONAL USES:
Labrador tea is a plant that has been used for various traditional purposes by different indigenous groups. The plant has been used by the Algonquin, Inuit, Chippewa, Hesquiat, Kitasoo, Makah, Malecite, Micmac, Nitinaht, Saanich, and Shuswap peoples, among others. The traditional uses of Labrador tea are diverse and include treating colds, flu, lung ailments, as a decongestant, energy, pain relief, and for a general uplifting feeling.
Labrador tea has been used by the Dena'ina Athabascan people for treating weak blood, colds, tuberculosis, arthritis, dizziness, stomach problems, and heartburn. It is also used as a spice for meat. The plant has been historically used for preventing thirst and lethargy by chewing and swallowing its leaves while on long trips. Additionally, Labrador tea has been used for smudging, cleansing, and purifying homes, hunting, and fishing gear, and as a protective shield for hunters.
Labrador tea is sometimes referred to as "ledum," but it is no longer officially considered a Ledum plant. It is also sometimes called bog or wild rosemary, although there is another plant with pink flowers that is considered "bog rosemary": Andromeda polifolia. Labrador tea is also believed to have anti-mutagenic properties that may help prevent the formation of certain cancers.
Overall, Labrador tea has a rich history and many traditional uses, making it a fascinating plant to study and learn about.
PREPARATION, DOSAGE, SAFETY, TOXICITY OF LABRADOR TEA
Labrador tea is a popular herbal tea, but it's important to prepare it correctly to avoid any harmful effects. It's best to steep the tea instead of making a decoction, as a strong brew can release harmful compounds that may cause problems. To prepare, some sources suggest using no more than 2-5 leaves, while others recommend using a crushed teaspoon or tablespoon. We recommend using a crushed tablespoon and steeping for no more than five minutes. It's important to note that labrador tea is considered unsafe for animals and may not be suitable for children.
In addition to making tea, many people also use labrador tea for topical preparations due to its believed beneficial properties. If you're interested in an ethanol extract, also known as a tincture, stay tuned as we will be listing one on our site soon after the snow melts. We will also be listing our labrador infused witch hazel for skincare purposes asap.
LABRADOR HERBAL TEA FOR LUCID DREAMING:
I can tell you from experience that labrador is a wonderful plant for inducing vivid and lucid dreams. There’s not necessarily ton of information or history about this, but it is an undeniable bonus with this plant.
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF LABRADOR TEA:
Labrador tea contains various beneficial compounds, this list does not show quite every single chemical compound found in labrador, but it does display the most well-known, bio-available compounds:
Vitamin C
Catechins
Quercetin
Chlorogenic Acid
Para-Coumeric Acid
Pro-Cyanidins
Caffeic Acid
Rutin
Gallic Acid
Ursolic Acid
Kaempferol
TERPENES: Terpenes are aromatic compounds that are found in many plants, including Labrador tea. Some of the terpenes in Labrador tea include:
Ledol
Cyclocolorenones
Myrcene
Mimonene
Sabinene
Cymene
Thujenjal
Limonene
terpineol
bornyl acetate
ascaridole
palustrol
camphene
b-pinene
α-farnesene
n-tetradecane
hexadecanoic acid
oblivon c
lilac aldehyde
TRACE ELEMENTS: Labrador tea also contains trace elements that can be beneficial to health. These include:
Manganese
Aluminum
Iron
Zinc
Copper
Nickel
Vanadium
Lead
Molybdenum
Thallium
Cadmium
Please note that the composition and concentration of chemicals in the tomentosum species can vary widely depending on the plant's origin. For example, a GC analysis of R. groenlandicum and R. tomentosum ssp. decumbens collected from an unspecified location in Alaska revealed that both plants were dominated by germacrone, a sesquiterpene constituent rarely found in Eurasian specimens. Germacrone is a natural product found in traditional medicinal plants of the family Zingiberaceae and has been shown to possess a range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, neuroprotective, and insecticidal properties. As a germacrane sesquiterpenoid and an olefinic compound, it plays various roles as a volatile oil component, antiviral and insecticide agent, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent, and even hepatoprotective agent.
HOW AND WHEN TO HARVEST LABRADOR TEA
When to harvest labrador tea? Some say in the spring, others in the fall, or not when it's flowering, while some even brew the flowers themselves! Labrador tea is an evergreen plant, which means it can be harvested any day of the year. However, there are chemical differences in labrador tea depending on the season. For instance, germacrone is abundant during the flowering period. Seasonal variation also affects labrador tea's phenolic content, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. As with most plants, harvest only what you need and avoid over-picking from a single plant. Labrador tea is widespread for now, so let's keep it that way. While some foragers adopt spiritual practices during harvesting, these are not necessary, and imposing our human verbal language on a plant is an arrogant and narcissistic practice, especially in the context of modern society.
IS LABRADOR TEA SAFE?
I can't speak for the whole world, but according to Alaskan Natives there is a limit to how much labrador tea you should use. The scientific research also agrees with this. Headache, nausea, and full on unpleasant hallucinatory states are possible. But for some reason, there are sooooo many people who try to downplay this basic fact. This may be due to the fact that rhododendron tomentosum is known to contain highly variable large amounts of the toxic compound ledol. Groenlandicum is found to have low amounts or none at all. In my mind, this would mesh well the polar opinions on what many people think is the same plant. You should be aware that one of the most consumed plants on Earth, hops, contain ledol as well.
Maybe you've seen the “Herbal Jedi” on youtube. He is a “second generation “master” herbalist”.
He has a video about labrador on youtube with almost 300k views. It’s possibly one of the longest and most viewed videos about labrador online anywhere.
In his own words: “...there's a bit of a toxic “tradition” with labrador”. Tradition?? I don’t understand why he bends over backwards to tautologically avoid stating a basic fact? It really makes no sense to me.
He says to not harvest while flowering “because that's “where the energy is””. Ok? What does that even mean? Is there perhaps a certain chemical he is referring to? Kinetic energy? Spirit energy? Electromagnetic energy? Caloric energy?
Rhododendron tomentosum and groenlandicum are considered to be mostly safe. A certain amount of grayanotoxin is easily broken down in the human body but when enough is consumed it will cause the famous symptoms of hypotension, nausea, confusion, diarea, headache, and things like that. Pretty much everyone will recover in 24 hours with no issues but it is very important to know that these plants are considered fatally toxic for many animals. Especially you already have a condition or disease that leaves you more vulnerable than the average person.
“Some people consider this to be a hallucinagenic plant”. Literally, his very next sentence is “it can put you in a coma.”
This is kind of similar to everybody’s generic descriptions. People very badly desire for anything natural to be 100% perfectly safe, but this is a fantasy.
Here’s another example of people avoiding the issue:
“People have long been drinking Labrador tea without obvious ill effect; it is a favorite of the Inuit and many of the Northern Canada First Nations people. The French Canadian fur traders used Labrador tea to extend their supplies of black tea. Common names speak to this history - Hudson Bay tea and trapper’s tea. It was also used medicinally - it is high in vitamin C and supposedly helps with a wide range of disorders - from migraines to hair loss to infections. The downside is that this plant contains a number of toxins.” -https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/local/2015/08/12/labrador-tea-its-effects-history/33692100007/
In my opinion, you should be able to say something is definitively, 100%, capable of causing serious harm if misused or misunderstood. I fear that most people will read “it’s safe” in the first sentence and then tune out after that.
Herbal Jedi goes on to encourage people to think of labrador as a plant to “move your energy” and to “move your chemistry”. What?? Where are we moving it to? Utah?
He says “don't think of this as an all the time drink. But myself, I drink this literally every day during the winter (but just one cup).” Again, you will be told one thing and then in the same breath something completely opposite. How do we even know if he really does this? I mean, do you know any olympians or 100 year old people that do this? Is it even necessary?
He says it will “sedate the stomach”. Sedate....the stomach? Right after this he says too much of this tea can “upset the stomach”. He says it is a laxative but also constipates you. Confused yet? Me too. The literature suggests that too much always acts as a laxative, Im not sure where he got the constipation thing from.
He also recommends this plant for hangovers. (he strangely doesn’t have anything negative to say about drinking that much in the first place).
And for gallstones, and for kidney stones. It “transorms what our body no longer “needs””.
It just sounds to me like him and others are just casting their net as wide as possible to convince as many people as possible that this plant will do almost everything for them.
I bring the things that he says about labrador up in this post because I want to encourage everyone to think for themselves and not accept the current low standards of quality and accuracey when it comes to people sharing information about plants.
The French Canadien authors of “foret” apparently also state that there is no conclusive evidence for the toxicity or that this only happens to people who use ridiculous amounts.
Perhaps you've heard of the famous “mad honey” which is infused with a toxic rhododendron. Well guess what, labrador is a cousin to this plant. Rhododendrons are strong plants and require mindfulness and tact when preparing them.
Grayanotoxin Poisoning: Mad Honey Disease and Beyond
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3404272/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grayanotoxin
I don’t believe that tomentosum or groenlandicum contain a significant amount of grayanotoxin like their famous cousin.
I think most people are aware that most people are highly susceptible to thinking “more is better” with just about anything. So imagine a person who thinks that, being eloquently told that “there is no evidence of toxicity” in a plant that literally is considered toxic. I think that’s a recipe for disaster.
Another toxic compound that is established to be present in Alaskan labrador plants is called ledol: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ledol
Some studies in Lithuania and Russia have shown that the proportion of ledol in the essential oil from R. tomentosum varied by a factor of ten, i.e. from 3.9% ledol to 30.5% ledol.
By contrast R. groenlandicum collected in the region of Chicoutimi, Quebec contained no detectable ledol.
I hope this post has provided you with some insight, some information, and some good starting points for your own research into this famous plant. Below are some links to the scientific research regarding both tomentosum and groenlandicum.
LABRADOR TEA SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH:
Rhododendron tomentosum (Ledum palustre). A review of traditional use based on current research
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0367326X13000166
Rhododendron tomentosum Harmaja (previously: Ledum palustre) is a fragrant evergreen shrub found in peaty soils in northern Europe, Asia and North America, commonly referred to as wild rosemary, marsh tea, marsh rosemary or northern Labrador tea. At least since the eighteenth century it has been used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of various ailments, such as rheumatism, cough, cold and insect bites, as well as a repellent. The essential oil of wild rosemary with the rich polyphenolic fraction possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal and insecticidal potential, demonstrated by in vivo and in vitro studies. In addition, recent scientific research reported the promising antidiabetic, antioxidant and anticancer properties. This review summarizes the information concerning taxonomy, botany, ecology, chemical composition, biological activities, toxicology and traditional and contemporary application of Rhododendron tomentosum plants.
Ethnobotany in the New Europe: People, Health and Wild Plant Resources
Chapter 13 Norway's Rosmarin (rhododendron tomentosum) in Past and Present Tradition.
by Torbjorn Alm and Marianne Iversen
Labrador tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum) attenuates insulin resistance in a diet-induced obesity mouse model
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25916863/
Purpose: Using a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model, we investigated the antidiabetic effect of Labrador tea [Rhododendron groenlandicum (Oeder) Kron and Judd], a beverage and medicinal tea used by the Cree Nations of northern Quebec.
Methods: C57BL6 mice were divided into five groups and given standard chow (~4 % of lipids) or high-fat diet (~35 % of lipids) for 8 weeks until they became obese and insulin resistant. Treatment began by adding the plant extract at three doses (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg) to the high-fat diet for another 8 weeks. At the end of the study, insulin-sensitive tissues (liver, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue) were collected to investigate the plant's molecular mechanisms.
Results: Labrador tea significantly reduced blood glucose (13 %), the response to an oral glucose tolerance test (18.2 %) and plasma insulin (65 %) while preventing hepatic steatosis (42 % reduction in hepatic triglyceride levels) in DIO mice. It stimulated insulin-dependent Akt pathway (55 %) and increased the expression of GLUT4 (53 %) in skeletal muscle. In the liver, Labrador tea stimulated the insulin-dependent Akt and the insulin-independent AMP-activated protein kinase pathways. The improvement in hepatic steatosis observed in DIO-treated mice was associated with a reduction in inflammation (through the IKK α/β) and a decrease in the hepatic content of SREBP-1 (39 %).
Conclusions: Labrador tea exerts potential antidiabetic action by improving insulin sensitivity and mitigating high-fat diet-induced obesity and hyperglycemia. They validate the safety and efficacy of this plant, a promising candidate for culturally relevant complementary treatment in Cree diabetics.
Keywords: AMPK; Diabetes; GLUT4; Labrador tea; Natural health products; SREBP-1.
Therapeutic effect of Northern Labrador tea extracts for acute myeloid leukemia: Anti-AML Efficacy of Northern Labrador Tea Extracts
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematological malignancy that is one of the more common pediatric malignancies in addition to occurring with high incidence in the aging population. Unfortunately, these patient groups are quite sensitive to toxicity from chemotherapy. Northern Labrador tea, or Rhododendron tomentosum Harmaja (a.k.a. Ledum palustre subsp. decumbens) or “tundra tea,” is a noteworthy medicinal plant used by indigenous peoples in Alaska, Canada, and Greenland to treat a diversity of ailments. However, laboratory investigations of Northern Labrador tea, and other Labrador tea family members, as botanical sources for anticancer compounds have been limited. Utilizing an AML cell line in both in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as in vitro studies using primary human AML patient samples, this study demonstrated for the first time that Northern Labrador tea extracts can exert anti‐AML activity and that this may be attributed to ursolic acid as a constituent component. Therefore, this medicinal herb holds the potential to serve as a source for further drug discovery efforts to isolate novel anti‐AML compounds.
Chemical variability of Rhododendron tomentosum (Ledum palustre) essential oils and their pro-apoptotic effect on lymphocytes and rheumatoid arthritis synoviocytes
Rhododendron tomentosum (Ledum palustre) is an aromatic plant traditionally used for alleviating rheumatic complaints which makes it a potential candidate for a natural drug in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment. However, the effects of plants' volatiles on apoptosis of synovial fibroblasts and infiltrating leucocytes of RA synovia, have not been reported. Volatile fraction of R. tomentosum is chemically variable and chemotypes of the plants need to be defined if the oil is to be used for therapeutic purposes. In the presented work, cluster analysis of literature data enabled to define 10 chemotypes of the plant. The volatile fractions of known composition were then tested for bioactivity using a RA-specific in vitro models. Essential oils of two wild types (γ-terpineol and palustrol/ledol type) and one in vitro chemotype (ledene oxide type) were obtained by hydrodistillation and their bioactivity was tested in two in vitro models: I - peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy volunteers and II - synoviocytes and immune cells isolated from synovia of RA patients. The influence of oils on blood lymphocytes' proliferation and apoptosis rates of synovia-derived cells was determined by flow cytometry. Dose-dependent inhibitory effect of the serial dilutions of R. tomentosum oils on proliferation rates of blood lymphocytes was found. At 1:400 dilutions, all the tested oils increased the number of necrotic cells in synovial fibroblasts from RA synovia. Additionally, increased proportions of late apoptotic cells were observed in leucocyte populations subjected to oils at 1:400 dilution.
Ascaridole-rich essential oil from marsh rosemary (Ledum palustre) growing in Poland exerts insecticidal activity on mosquitoes, moths and flies without serious effects on non-target organisms and human cells
Marsh rosemary (Ledum palustre, Ericaceae) has been widely used in the traditional medicine of various regions worldwide, and as insect repellent. Little is known on its essential oil (EO) insecticidal potential. This study explores the insecticidal effects of the EO obtained from L. palustre growing in Poland on selected insect pests and vectors. EO GC-MS analysis evidenced an uncommon chemotype characterized by ascaridole (35.3% as sum of cis-ascaridole and isoascaridole) and p-cymene (25.5%). The EO was effective against Culex quinquefasciatus, Spodoptera littoralis and Musca domestica, showing LC50/LD50 of 66.6 mg L−1, 61.4 μg larva−1 and 117.2 μg adult−1, respectively. It was not toxic to non-target Eisenia fetida earthworms and moderately toxic to Daphnia magna microcrustaceans, over the positive control α-cypermethrin. The EO cytotoxicity on human keratinocytes and fibroblasts showed high IC50 values (71.3 and 84.4 μg mL−1, respectively). Comet assay data highlighted no DNA damages. Based on our findings, this EO characterized by the ascaridole/p-cymene chemotype could be a candidate for the formulation of botanical insecticides; large-scale production of green insecticides by this rare species may be assured by ex situ cultivation and biotechnological techniques.
Evaluation of extracts and oils of tick-repellent plants from Sweden
https://resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2915.2005.00578.x
Leaves of Myrica gale Linnaeus (Myricaceae), Rhododendron tomentosum (Stokes) H. Harmaja (formerly Ledum palustre Linnaeus: Ericaceae) and Artemisia absinthium Linnaeus (Asteraceae) were extracted with organic solvents of different polarities and the essential oils of leaves were obtained by steam distillation. The extracts or oils were tested in the laboratory for repellency against host-seeking nymphs of Ixodes ricinus Linnaeus (Acari: Ixodidae). Rhododendron tomentosum oil, 10%, diluted in acetone, exhibited 95% repellency.
Composition of young and aged shoot essential oils of the wild Ledum palustre L.
Ledum palustre (Ericaceae) plant preparations have been used for healing different pains, wounds, lung and other diseases from ancient times. Scientists have revealed that the antitussive and expectorant effect of L. palustre essential oils depends on the content of the sesquiterpenoid ledol. The preparation of the cough medicine “Ledin” was based on the above investigations. The L. palustre essential oil from Siberia inhibited the growth of other plants. A tick-repellent effect was observed for L. palustre (new name Rhododendron tomentosum (Stokes) H. Harmaja) essential oil from Sweden with the dominant constituents myrcene and palustrol
Trace elements in Labrador Tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum): How predominant sources to the plants impact the chemical composition of hot water extracts
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0013935120301651
Labrador Tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum) has been an important food and medicinal plant to First Nations communities in North America for millenia, but little is known of its geochemical properties. Using plants from 10 sites in 4 provinces, including pristine and industrial regions, and employing the metal-free, ultraclean SWAMP laboratory facilities and procedures, we provide an estimate of the natural abundance of trace elements in the leaves, and the extent of their release during hot water extraction.
Composition of the essential oil of the Rhododendron tomentosum Harmaja from Estonia
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14786419.2014.907287
Wild Rhododendron tomentosum Harmaja shoots were collected from four localities of Estonia. Essential oils, isolated from dried samples by simultaneous distillation and extraction, were analysed using GC-FID and Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry methods. The yields of oils were in the range 0.14–0.87%. A total of 72 constituents, accounting for over 95% of the total oil yield, were identified. The major components in the all four oils studied were palustrol (15.9–53.5%), ledol (11.8–18.3%), γ-terpineol (0–31.2%), p-cymene (0.1–13.9%), lepalone (0.7–6.5%), lepalol (1.0–6.5%) and cyclocolorenone (1.0–6.4%). Two different chemotypes of R. tomentosum were found in Estonia and one of them was rich in palustrol (41.0–53.5%) and ledol (14.6–18.3%). The second chemotype, for the first time, was rich in γ-terpineol (24.7–31.2%) and contained less of palustrol (15.9–16.7%) and ledol (11.8–12.8%), but more p-cymene (12.5–13.9%). Also, γ-terpineol was identified for the first time in the oils of R. tomentosum.
Comparison of the Chemical Compounds and Antioxidant Activities of Essential Oil and Ethanol Extract from Rhododendron tomentosum Harmaja
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0972060X.2017.1377116
A comparative analysis of chemical compounds found in essential oil and ethanol extract from Rhododendron tomentosum Harmaja was conducted in this study. The major volatile components were identified as 4-thujene (27.05%), α-thujenal (12.24%), and (-)-4-terpineol (9.78%) in the essential oil. The contents of total flavonoids and total phenolics in the raw material were 37.9 mg rutin equivalent/g and 4.2 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry matter, respectively; the contents of ursolic acid, hyperoside, quercetin, and kaempferol were 15.2, 1.29, 0.32, and 0.03 mg/g, respectively. The volatile components in ethanol extract contained α-farnesene (8.35%), n-tetradecane (6.37%), hexadecanoic acid (6.14%), oblivon c (5.89%), and lilac aldehyde (4.85%). Ethanol extract exhibited higher antioxidant capacities than essential oil, which were evaluated by DPPH assay and ABTS assay.
