Bog Labrador Tea
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/184314430
For my observation this week, I have chosen what is commonly known as Labrador tea, a species of Azaleas (Rhododendron). Its botanical name is Rhododendron groenlandicum. To identify, it is a smaller, erect, standing, sparsely branched bush about 2-3 ft tall, with white umbrella flowers that bloom in June and July (EdibleWildFood). It has evergreen leaves that can be identified with their slightly curled feature, with the back of the leaf being rusty-brown and fuzzy. "It often grows in dense colonies…it generally reproduces by spreading vegetatively, and less commonly, from seed." (EdibleWildFood).
Labrador tea loves the bog or muskeg, as we call it here in Southeast Alaska. It is abundant and can be found in large spaces of "wet peaty soils" growing for the taking. (EdibleWildFood) "It is native to boreal North America. It is found in the tundra and drier, rocky mountain places." (EdibleWildFood)
There are a few medical possibilities with Labrador tea, but there have not been enough studies to prove "scientifically" that it can do everything it is known for. But here are a few of the medical potentials. "People take Labrador tea for sore throat, chest congestion, coughs, lung infections, and other chest ailments. They also take it for diarrhea, kidney problems, joint and muscle pain (rheumatism), headache, and cancer.". Interestingly, Labrador Tea has also been used for abortions and feminine problems. (RxList)
One issue with Labrador tea that many people are unaware of is that it "contains diterpene grayanotoxins." (Jansen, A. et al.). The grayanotoxins in the pollen of the flowers, which can be harmful to humans although seldom deadly, can be found in honey. This honey is called "mad honey." An incident of this is "recorded by the Greek warrior-writer Xenophon in 401 BC in his Anabasis "(Jansen, A. et al.), where four hundred warriors ate this mad honey and were so crazy and hallucinogenic that it took nearly four days for them to come to their senses, but after the four days, it was as if nothing had happened.
When I first came to Alaska, I was introduced to this Tea as Russian Tea, where we would soak the leaves in boiling water and add a sugary powdered drink called Tang® to it when we were feeling a cold or flu coming. Every fisherman in the fleet had their recipe. I still have an area right near my house where I will go out and pick a handful of leaves and boil them up when my throat feels rough.
“Labrador Tealedum Groenlandicum.” EdibleWildFood, www.ediblewildfood.com/Labrador-tea.aspx. Accessed 21 Sept. 2023.
"Labrador Tea: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, Dose & Precautions." RxList, RxList, 11 June 2021, www.rxlist.com/labrador_tea/supplements.htm.
Jansen, Suze A et al. "Grayanotoxin poisoning: 'mad honey disease' and beyond." Cardiovascular toxicology vol. 12,3 (2012): 208-15. doi:10.1007/s12012-012-9162-2
Comentarios
I appreciate you sharing these facts about Labrador Tea and your experience using it. It seems like there's a non-exhaustive list of edible plants in Southeast Alaska out there for me to try. It's overwhelming that I often forget what I wish to try but you have reminded me. I will keep my eyes out for these plants and give them a try especially as the cold weather begins to roll in. It's amazing to me how many potential uses or ailments this one plant seems to target. Also, the story about mad honey is very interesting! I hadn't heard of that before, but it's quite entertaining to imagine 400 warriors hallucinating after eating honey.
Hi Gayleen,
Looking at your observation, this plant reminds me a lot of a sort of plant we used to boil as kids because we got it in to our heads that it was tea. So maybe it actually was! The plant we used was quite a bit shorter but otherwise shared the same characteristics. Though I don’t recall seeing it flowering or pollen, so I am glad we avoided the “mad honey.” I’ve seen it most commonly on the tundra north of Nome. The real reason I had to reply to your post was the mention of Russian Tea. I never realized it was “a thing” outside of Nome. Our version is hot tang and hot iced tea mix mixed together. I love hearing about how similar Alaskan things are, yet different depending on which region you are in.
Wow! This is a ton of great information about the Bog Labrador Tea plant you observed this week. I had no idea that this plentiful and usable natural wonder existed. Thank you for mentioning there is no concrete scientific evidence to support the supposed cures and/or benefits the plant offers but it is still cool to know some individuals/communities have previously ingested the Bog Labrador to help with a variety of health issues. I think turning to holistic medicines before manufactured pharmaceuticals is a wise choice since that is what humans have done for thousands of years before we had over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
Your observation this week, Gayleen, is a good example of a species that benefits from a variety of photos to help with identification. One of the main ways to identify this to species is to investigate the underside of the leaves, and -- as you mention -- the curling nature of the leaves. With other plants, sometimes things like how the leaves attach to the stem (are they opposite each other, are they clasping, etc.)
can help a person identify something to species. I give these examples to encourage everyone in class to provide a variety of photos of your
species that show all parts of the species and sometimes those parts from different angles.
With Labrador Tea, or rhododendron groenlandicum, it's important to supply ways to identify it because, especially without its flowers, it can be mistaken for the poisonous western bog laurel, or kalmia microphylla. So, providing a variety of photos that show the many different parts of your species and those parts from a variety of angles, can be helpful! :)
Thanks for sharing this species with us, Gayleen! And for anyone excited about harvesting Labrador Tea, or rhododendron groenlandicum, for tea, be sure to first do it with someone who has done it before and can show you how to differentiate it from western bog laurel, or kalmia microphylla. Labrador Tea can be a wonderful tea many of us in Alaska can enjoy without ever having to go to the grocery store!
Best,
Professor Brooke
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