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Alaska
LABRADOR TEA Ledum palustreDescription: Plant
Habitat: Peaty soils, shrubby areas, moss and lichen tundra. Uses: Labrador tea has been a favorite beverage among Indian and Eskimo people for many years. Athabascans use it as a beverage and also as medicine for weak blood, colds, tuberculosis, dizziness, stomach problems, heartburn and hangover. They also use it to spice meat. In large amounts, Labrador tea can cause drowsiness or stomach upset, use in moderation.. Special
Harvest or Processing Comments: Labrador tea grows slowly, so pick leaves rather than whole branches, and harvest from different shrubs. Labrador tea grows in abundance in large "fields", so it should not be difficult for you to keep moving quickly from plant to plant to avoid picking too heavily from individual plants. Labrador tea, an evergreen, is available all year. |
Low
shrub with evergreen leaves; leaves smooth on top, fuzzy red-brown
underneath, tiny white flowers in hemispherical clusters, very fragrant
and sticky.