Western Herbalism
Labrador Tea
Rhododendron groenlandicum
Also known as Bog Labrador Tea, James' tea.
Traditional use by indigenous North American peoples as beverage and medicine contains toxic alkaloids, use only as weak tea in moderation ledol content varies by species and location, lower in R. groenlandicum
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Indications what the tradition reached for it in
- Chest ailments
- Joint pain
- Chest congestion
- Infectious eruptions
- Rheumatism
- Arthritis
- Bronchitis
- Asthma
- Abdominal cramps
- Burns
- Dyspepsia
- Nausea
- Pneumonia
- Headache
- Ulcers
- Cough
- Muscle pain
- Wounds
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Skin conditions
- Lung infections
- Dysentery
- Stomach flu
- Sore throat
- Kidney problems
- Indigestion
- Debility
- Edema
- Fatigue
Safety
Low dose botanical. Used in drop doses in the classical practice; not a plant to dose freely.
Pregnancy: Pregnancy Caution
Breastfeeding: Lactation (source flag notSafeInLactation)
The record lists 2 contraindications; open the plate in the library to read them in full.
Dosing as the sources wrote it
| Preparation | As written | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Weak tea | Weak tea (handful of leaves to boiling water, simmer few minutes), 2-4 fl oz 3-4 times daily | 59.15-118 mL |
| infusion of either of the above plants | Dose of the infusion of either of the above plants, from 2 to 4 fluid ounces, 3 or 4 times a day. | 59.15-118 mL |
| Dose, 1 to 10 minims. | 0.06-0.62 mL |
Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.
From the sources
Clinical Notes. Traditional use by indigenous North American peoples as beverage and medicine contains toxic alkaloids, use only as weak tea in moderation ledol content varies by species and location, lower in R. groenlandicum
indications. Labrador Tea is traditionally indicated for: Chest ailments, Joint pain, Chest congestion, Infectious eruptions, Rheumatism, Arthritis, Bronchitis, Asthma, Abdominal cramps, Burns, Dyspepsia, Nausea, Pneumonia, Headache, Ulcers, and 26 further conditions.
safety-cautions. Labrador Tea - Contraindications: Large or concentrated doses, pregnancy | Side effects: vomiting, gastroenteritis, diarrhea, delirium, spasms, paralysis, headache, intoxication symptoms | Safety flags: not considered safe in pregnancy; not considered safe during lactation; low-dose / narrow therapeutic window (use caution).
Drawn from King's American Dispensatory, 18th edition (Felter and Lloyd), and the Bountiful Herbs editorial.
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