Labrador Tea – Nutritional Value, Health Benefits

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 7 min read
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Labrador tea is a common name for three closely related plant species in the genus Rhododendron as well as an herbal tea made from their leaves. All three species are primarily wetland plants in the heath family. The herbal tea has been a favorite beverage among Athabaskan First Nations, and Inuit people The most promising benefits...

For severe symptoms, danger signs, pregnancy, child illness, or sudden worsening, seek urgent medical care.

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Article Summary

Labrador tea is a common name for three closely related plant species in the genus Rhododendron as well as an herbal tea made from their leaves. All three species are primarily wetland plants in the heath family. The herbal tea has been a favorite beverage among Athabaskan First Nations, and Inuit people The most promising benefits of labrador tea include soothing respiratory infections, curing skin conditions, settling an upset stomach, eliminating inflammation, protecting the kidneys, easing headaches, and reducing the risk of cancer,...

Key Takeaways

  • This article explains What is Labrador Tea? in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Labrador Tea Benefits in simple medical language.
  • This article explains How to Make Labrador Tea? in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Easy-to-Make Labrador Tea Recipe in simple medical language.
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Labrador tea is a common name for three closely related plant species in the genus Rhododendron as well as an herbal tea made from their leaves. All three species are primarily wetland plants in the heath family. The herbal tea has been a favorite beverage among Athabaskan First Nations, and Inuit people

The most promising benefits of labrador tea include soothing respiratory infections, curing skin conditions, settling an upset stomach, eliminating infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, protecting the kidneys, easing headaches, and reducing the risk of cancer, among others. The side effects of labrador tea can be intense and include vomiting, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation of the gut, diarrhea, and even death when consumed in large amounts. However, when consumed in moderation, and after checking with your doctor before adding it to your health regimen, labrador tea can be very beneficial for your overall wellness.

All three species used to make Labrador tea are low, slow-growing shrubs with evergreen leaves:

The leaves are smooth on top with often wrinkled edges and fuzzy white to red-brown underneath.[rx]

R. tomentosum, R. groenlandicum, and R. neoglandulosum can be found in wetlands and peat bogs.[rx]

What is Labrador Tea?

Labrador tea is the name for a tea brewed from three different Rhododendron species – Northern Labrador Tea, Bog Labrador Tea, and Western Labrador Tea. Indigenous people of North America, such as the Inuit, and other residents of Northern California and Canada have been using this tea for generations, as the plants grow well in those areas. There are some powerful components found in these species of plant, including tannins, sesquiterpenes, valeric acid, numerous mineral salts and other antioxidants, which bring about many of the health benefits of this variety of tea. Also known as swamp tea and muskeg tea, this unique herbal brew isn’t the most common tea to find on a shelf, but it is worth seeking out! [rx]

Labrador Tea Benefits

Drinking labrador tea is an excellent choice for those suffering from kidney infections, inflammatory conditions, headaches, indigestion, constipation, bloating, cramping, eczema, psoriasis, cold, cough, flu, and respiratory infection, as well as those who are at high risk for cancer.

Respiratory Health

An extremely popular use of Labrador tea is for the treatment of respiratory conditions, such as bronchitis, coughs, congestion, colds, and flu. Sore throats are also a common symptom of these types of infections, and the infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।" data-rx-term="anti-inflammatory" data-rx-definition="Anti-inflammatory means reducing inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।">anti-inflammatory properties of labrador tea can neutralize or eliminate that discomfort. [rx]

Kidney Issues

Traditionally, labrador tea has been used to treat kidney disorders and detoxify the body, as it has mild diuretic properties and can help to flush the system when it is overloaded with toxins. It can also help to slow down the growth of kidney stones and reduce infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation in that organ. [rx]

Digestive System

Labrador tea is still frequently used to settle indigestion and upset stomachs. If consumed in excess, it can cause severe stomach upset. The active ingredients in this tea, such as tannins and sesquiterpenes, are to thank for this calming effect on cramping, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation, as well as stomach ulcers! [rx]

Skin Benefits

When drinking this tea, a diluted or weak form is recommended, but if you brew a strong pot of this tea, it can be very good for skin health. With its astringent and antioxidant properties, topically applying this tea (once it cools) to areas suffering from eczema, psoriasis, leprosy, irritation or infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation is highly effective. [rx]

Immune Health

With moderate levels of vitamin C, labrador tea is able to stimulate the immune system and ensure that the body has enough white blood cells to protect body. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant that seeks out free radicals causing oxidative stress, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, and chronic disease. [rx]

Anticancer Potential

Research is still ongoing in relation to Labrador tea’s effect on cancerous cells. However, early results by a team of researchers in Canada reveal that the unique antioxidant composition of this tea has certain anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic effects, making it an excellent preventative measure when consumed in responsible amounts. [7]

How to Make Labrador Tea?

Labrador tea is quite easy to brew at home, provided you have access to Labrador tea leaves. The plant grows in forests, typically springing out from within mossy patches near spruce trees. Since the growth rate of this plant is slow, pick only a few leaves from each plant rather than completely harvesting leaves from individual plants. If you aren’t near a forest or don’t plan to go foraging for Rhododendron species, you can also purchase dried leaves from herbalists and natural health stores. Once you have the leaves (dried or fresh), you’re ready to brew!

Easy-to-Make Labrador Tea Recipe

Enjoy the aromatic brew of this herbal infusion!
  • Course: Beverage
  • Cuisine: American, European
  • Keyword: labrador plant, labrador tea
  • Appliance: Stove
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Servings: 4 cups

Ingredients

  • 2 tsp of labrador leaves (approximately 15-20 leaves)
  • 4 cups of filtered water
  • 1 tsp of honey (optional)

Instructions

  • To make labrador tea, add the tea leaves to a stainless steel pot of water.
  • Bring the water to a boil and wait until the water changes to light green shade.
  •  tendon. সহজ বাংলা: মাংসপেশি/টেনডনে টান।" data-rx-term="strain" data-rx-definition="A strain is injury to a muscle or tendon. সহজ বাংলা: মাংসপেশি/টেনডনে টান।">Strain the water out, but do not discard the tea leaves.
  • Refill the pot with water and bring it back to a boil.
  • The color of the water should gradually become yellow.
  • Strain the mixture into a teapot or cup and enjoy! You can add a tsp of honey to it if you want.
Due to the potency of this tea, it is recommended that you fill 1/2 of a cup with tea, and then add water to the rest in order to dilute the mixture. If you drink undiluted tea, do not drink more than 2 cups per day.

Side Effects of Labrador Tea

Labrador tea should only be consumed in a weak or diluted form, as the active ingredients can have a number of unpleasant side effects if consumed in excess. Like the recipe above states, diluting every cup of this tea by half is highly recommended. This tea has slightly narcotic properties, which is why excessive consumption can be dangerous, if not fatal. [rx]

  • Pregnancy: Due to the narcotic elements in this tea, as well as the potent active ingredients, labrador tea is not recommended for pregnant women or those who are breastfeeding, as it can negatively affect the fetus or infant.
  • Gastrointestinal Health: The most common side effects reported are diarrhea, inflammation of the gut and vomiting. This can also be accompanied by muscle spasms in the stomach and in extremely serious cases, even paralysis or death. Again, these side effects are almost exclusively experienced when an excessive amount of this tea is consumed.
  • Headaches: Severe headaches may occur rapidly after drinking labrador tea; if you experience this side effect, discontinue the use immediately, rehydrate your body and flush your system.

Where From Buy

Marsh Labrador Herb - Rhododendron Tomentosum - Ledum Palustre # Herba Organica # Wild Rosemary, Northern Labrador Tea (100g)
Marsh Labrador Herb - Rhododendron Tomentosum - Ledum Palustre # Herba Organica # Wild Rosemary, Northern Labrador Tea (100g)
  • 100% Natural product without any additives
  • The highest quality - Herba Organica
  • The best selection of herbs hand-packed
  • Collected from the wild state
$22.99 Amazon Prime
Buy Now On Amazon.com Price incl. tax, excl. shipping

References

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Labrador Tea?

Labrador tea is the name for a tea brewed from three different Rhododendron species – Northern Labrador Tea, Bog Labrador Tea, and Western Labrador Tea. Indigenous people of North America, such as the Inuit, and other residents of Northern California and Canada have been using this tea for generations, as the plants grow well in those areas. There are some powerful components found in these species of plant, including tannins, sesquiterpenes, valeric acid, numerous mineral salts and other antioxidants, which bring about many of the health benefits…

Labrador Tea Benefits Drinking labrador tea is an excellent choice for those suffering from kidney infections, inflammatory conditions, headaches, indigestion, constipation, bloating, cramping, eczema, psoriasis, cold, cough, flu, and respiratory infection, as well as those who are at high risk for cancer. Respiratory Health An extremely popular use of Labrador tea is for the treatment of respiratory conditions, such as bronchitis, coughs, congestion, colds, and flu. Sore throats are also a common symptom of these types of infections, and the anti-inflammatory properties of labrador tea can neutralize or eliminate that discomfort. [rx] Kidney Issues Traditionally, labrador tea has been used to treat kidney disorders and detoxify the body, as it has mild diuretic properties and can help to flush the system when it is overloaded with toxins. It can also help to slow down the growth of kidney stones and reduce inflammation in that organ. [rx] Digestive System Labrador tea is still frequently used to settle indigestion and upset stomachs. If consumed in excess, it can cause severe stomach upset. The active ingredients in this tea, such as tannins and sesquiterpenes, are to thank for this calming effect on cramping, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation, as well as stomach ulcers! [rx] Skin Benefits When drinking this tea, a diluted or weak form is recommended, but if you brew a strong pot of this tea, it can be very good for skin health. With its astringent and antioxidant properties, topically applying this tea (once it cools) to areas suffering from eczema, psoriasis, leprosy, irritation or inflammation is highly effective. [rx] Immune Health With moderate levels of vitamin C, labrador tea is able to stimulate the immune system and ensure that the body has enough white blood cells to protect body. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant that seeks out free radicals causing oxidative stress, inflammation, and chronic disease. [rx] Anticancer Potential Research is still ongoing in relation to Labrador tea’s effect on cancerous cells. However, early results by a team of researchers in Canada reveal that the unique antioxidant composition of this tea has certain anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic effects, making it an excellent preventative measure when consumed in responsible amounts. [7] How to Make Labrador Tea?

Labrador tea is quite easy to brew at home, provided you have access to Labrador tea leaves. The plant grows in forests, typically springing out from within mossy patches near spruce trees. Since the growth rate of this plant is slow, pick only a few leaves from each plant rather than completely harvesting leaves from individual plants. If you aren’t near a forest or don’t plan to go foraging for Rhododendron species, you can also purchase dried leaves from herbalists and…

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