Description
Greenland Ledon, also known as Labrador tea, is a very hardy flowering shrub that survives well in cold areas of northern Canada. Its oval-shaped green leaves are stretched along and there is a down under it.
It is an aromatic recognized for countless virtues and which is widely used in the traditional medicine of the First Nations in the form of herbal tea and ointment. Present in many ongoing studies, the Labrador tea flowers and leaves have the potential to cure even more diseases than one can imagine.
The Benefits of Labrador Tea Flowers And Leaves Infusion:
| Help:
- Difficult breathing
- Rheumatism / arthritis
- Nervousness
- Stomach, liver and kidney problems
- Asthma / bronchitis
- Sleep disorders
- Thyroid imbalance
- Type 2 diabetes
- Infections
- Against obesity
|
Act as:
- Powerful antioxidant
- Anticarcinogen
- Digestive
- Anti-inflammatory
- Relaxing
- Antiseptic
- Immune system
- Diuretic
- Antispasmodic
- Liver cleanser
- Hypo-allergenic
|
* For more information on properties, click here !
How Does it Taste?
This plant has a woody flavor, subtle and all its own, halfway between mint and fir resin, making it a very refreshing drink. It also contains floral and tangy notes which bring complexity to its composition. It is also used in certain beers, gins, game broths, to cook as a substitute for bay leaf or to add flavor to several types of recipes. A detailed representation of the boreal forest in its wild state! A bit like the grape varieties of wine, its taste can be different depending on the terroir and the latitude where it is picked.
Does it Contain Caffeine?
Despite its confusing name, it does not contain theine or caffeine and grows in large quantities in the boreal forest of Quebec. This plant helps relax and releases muscle tension. It is ideal to take it after dinner to promote digestion and a good night’s sleep. You will therefore be able to fall asleep normally, without fear of insomnia.
Is it Safe to Consume Labrador Tea Flowers And Leaves?
There is a lot of information circulating about Labrador tea and raising questions about its toxicity. The two factors involved are:
1. Andromedotoxin
Several shrubs of the Ericaceae family contain andromedotoxin (a toxic active ingredient) in small amounts. However, it is only when ingested in large doses that this element can cause cramps, headaches, or difficulty in the intestines. Thus, followers of this plant who drink it on a daily basis do not report having experienced these symptoms or complications. Everything remains in moderation during its consumption.
2. Tannin
This substance is used by plants in their defense system against pathogenic microbes. We find tannin in trees, leaves, fruits, and in our diet in general. Tannins are therefore present in beer, cider, tea, coffee, and especially in red wine, which gives it its dark color. For very sensitive stomachs, it can be difficult to digest. Before childbirth (during the third trimester), First Nations women consumed this infusion three times a day to promote relaxation, counter inflammation, and facilitate labor.
Where And When Can You Find The Labrador Tea Flower And Leaves?
It grows in acidic, cool, and humid soils such as peat bogs, coniferous forests, marshes, or in areas that have been logged. It can be picked all year round, but it is best to harvest it in late summer or fall. Indeed, if the leaf is too young, its essential oil concentration is lower than when it has had time to mature well. It will then contain less flavor as well as a decrease in medicinal properties. Otherwise, it becomes easier and easier to find it in a natural grocery store near you or in our online store.
Site: https://pfaf.org
Livre: Leaboeuf, Michel, Arbres et plantes forestières du Québec et des maritimes, Éditions Michel Quintin, 2007, 415p
