Labrador tea

The low bog shrub with rusty wool under its leaves, how to be sure it is the right one, and how to make a weak, safe cup.

What to look for

A low evergreen shrub, knee high or less, on bogs, barrens and wet woods
Narrow, thick, leathery leaves with the edges rolled under
Thick rusty or orange wool on the underside of the older leaves. Young leaves have white wool that turns rusty.
Leaves set one at a time along the stem, not in pairs and not in threes
Round clusters of small white flowers at the tips in early summer
A spicy, resin smell when you crush a leaf

Turn over every leaf before you pick it and check for the wool. No wool, leave it.
Pick a few leaves from each plant, not the whole top. The plant grows slowly.
Use a small handful of leaves for a pot. Less is better.
Pour hot water over them and let them steep a few minutes. Do not boil the leaves hard or for long. That draws out more of what can make you sick.
Pour the tea off the leaves and drink a cup, not a pot.

Don't

Danger

Sheep laurel grows right beside it on the same barrens and is poisonous. Sheep laurel leaves come in threes, with no wool underneath and pink flowers. See Plants to leave alone.
Bog laurel and bog rosemary also grow here, have narrow rolled leaves, and are poisonous. They have a pale or white underside, but no rusty wool.
Labrador tea itself holds compounds that are harmful in large amounts. Too much can bring on sickness, cramps, dizziness or worse. If someone feels unwell after drinking it, call 811, or 911 if it is bad.

It has been steeped on the barrens here for a long time. It is a comfort in a cold camp, not a meal and not a medicine.

The rusty wool is the whole test. If you remember nothing else, remember to turn the leaf over.

Labrador teateabogbarrenssheep laurel

Updated 2026-09-26