Labrador Tea in Alaska

Labrador tea is a low-growing evergreen shrub found in Alaska’s bogs and tundra landscapes. I usually find it when I am searching for blueberries.

Its leaves are dark green on top and pale, fuzzy underneath. When crushed, they release a distinct herbal scent. It has long been used for tea in northern regions.

Labrador Tea vs. Bog Labrador Tea

In Alaska, the plant commonly called Labrador tea is usually the species known as bog Labrador tea.

The names are often used interchangeably, but “bog Labrador tea” refers more specifically to the plant’s habitat — wet, mossy ground in tundra and bog environments.

In most cases, if you find Labrador tea growing in Alaska, you are looking at bog Labrador tea.

Where Labrador Tea Grows

Labrador tea thrives in:

• Bogs
• Tundra
• Mossy wetlands
• Arctic and Interior regions

It prefers acidic, moist soil.

Identifying Labrador Tea

Key features include:

• Narrow evergreen leaves
• Rusty or fuzzy underside
• Low shrub growth
• White spring flowers

Leaves are typically harvested in summer.

Herbal Use and Considerations

Labrador tea has a long history of traditional use across northern regions, especially among Indigenous communities. The leaves are commonly dried and brewed into a tea known for its strong, earthy flavor.

It has been used in small amounts for general wellness, including soothing the body during cold weather and as a mild herbal drink.

However, Labrador tea is not a casual herbal plant. It contains natural compounds that can become harmful if consumed in large quantities or used too frequently. Because of this, it is typically used in moderation rather than as a daily drink.

If you choose to prepare it, only small amounts of the leaves are needed. A simple tea infuser or mesh strainer works well when brewing dried leaves, allowing you to control strength and avoid overuse.

Proper identification is important, as similar-looking plants may grow in the same environments.

Traditional Uses

Labrador tea leaves have been dried and brewed for generations.

It has a strong, earthy flavor and is typically used in small amounts.

A Tundra Plant

Labrador tea is not flashy. It stays low to the ground and survives harsh conditions.

It is part of Alaska’s quiet plant community — resilient and understated.