More Than Just a Tea

Explanation: Part of the genus Rhododendron is this plant of boreal and arctic regions. It goes by marsh Labrador tea and other common names, as well as the (sub?)genus Ledum.

In central Alaska, it is found in bogs along with dwarf birch, bog rosemary, and sedges, as well as in tussocks along with birches and willows (Tande et al. 1996). It is also widespread across northern latitudes, included being reported in wetlands of northeast China (Ren et al. 2019).

Labrador tea is prized, also, with high economic and medicinal values, and is reported to contain components that serve as bactericides, and aid as agents for anti-inflammation, anti-tumor, and anti-oxidants (Ren et al. 2019), as well as treating rheumatism, cough, cold, and insect bites (Dampc and Luczkiewicz 2013), and even more!

But it is also reported as being highly toxic, with fatality an outcome if eaten, containing a narcotic toxin called Ledel. Although a tea can be made from its aromatic leaves, brewing for a long period in a closed container can release the toxin.

Information:
     Cahoon, S. M. P., and K. C. Bear, editors. 2022. Forest resources of the Tanana unit, Alaska: 2018. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-1005. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. 92 pp.
     Dampc, A., and M. Luczkiewicz. 2013. Rhododendron tomentosum (Ledum palustre). A review of traditional use based on current research. Fitoterapia 85:130-143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2013.01.013.
     Ren, G., W. Chang, T. Miao, and C. Wang. 2019. Investigation and utilization of Ledum palustre L. resources in the North Temperate Zone. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 371(3):032053. DOI 10.1088/1755-1315/371/3/032053.
     Tande, G. F., R. Lipkin, and M. Duffy. 1996. A floristic inventory of Fort Wainwright Military Installation, Alaska. Alaska Natural Heritage Program, Environment and Natural Resources Institute. Anchorage, AK. 99 pp.

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