Evidence supporting the use of: Labrador tea
For the health condition: Itching
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Labrador Tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum, formerly Ledum groenlandicum) has a longstanding history of traditional use among Indigenous peoples in North America, primarily for a variety of ailments including skin irritations and itching. The leaves were commonly prepared as a topical wash or poultice to relieve itching caused by insect bites, rashes, or other minor skin irritations. This traditional application is supported by ethnobotanical records and accounts from early European settlers who learned of the plant's uses from Indigenous communities.
However, scientific validation for its effectiveness in treating itching is lacking. There are very few, if any, clinical or pharmacological studies specifically investigating Labrador Tea's antipruritic (anti-itch) effects. While the plant contains compounds such as essential oils (including ledol and palustrol), tannins, and flavonoids, which may have mild anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial properties, direct evidence linking these constituents to relief from itching is insufficient. Additionally, some sources caution that Labrador Tea can be toxic if ingested in large amounts, and topical use may cause irritation in sensitive individuals.
In summary, the use of Labrador Tea for itching is primarily justified by tradition rather than scientific evidence. The strength of the supporting evidence is weak, and further research would be needed to substantiate its efficacy and safety for this purpose.
Other ingredients used for Itching
AbrusAgrimony
Allantoin
Aloe vera
Alstonia scholaris
American Liverleaf
Amor seco
anamu
apple cider vinegar
Arani
argan nut oil
Arisaema
Asam gelugor
Asarum sieboldii
avens
babchi
Baliospermum
balsam
Baphicacanthus cusia
Barleria
bentonite
betel
black nightshade
Brazilian peppertree
cajuput
calamus
Calendula
Calotropis gigantea
camphor oil
carry me seed
Carthamus
castor oil
catechu
cedar
chamomile
chickweed
cinquefoil
citronella
Clerodendrum trichotomum
cocoa butter
coconut oil
colloid
copaiba oil
cornflower
Cyanthillium cinereum
Davilla rugosa
dendramine
Didymocarpus
divi-divi
Dwarf Nettle
elephant\'s head
emu oil
Erodium cicutarium
eugenol
Euphorbia
European Elder
fang-feng
ferula assafoetida
fleabane
Flueggea suffruticosa
fringed pink
Gardenia jasminoides
geranium
giant blazingstar
golden shower tree
henna
Homalomena
honey loquat syrup
Houttuynia
Hydrocolloid
Indian nightshade
Japanese sophora
Jessica\'s sticktight
Jewelweed
jojoba oil
labrador tea
Lantana camara
Ledebouriella
Leptospermum scoparium
Lesser speargrass
lichen
licorice root
Lophira lanceolata
Lycopodium
Lysimachia
Macaranga indica
Mahonia
mallow
Malva sylvestris
Marking Nut Tree
Marsh Tea
Marshmallow
Matapalo Tree
Matico
melaleuca alternifolia
Myrobalan
Oak
Onosma bracteatum
oriental arborvitae
pagoda tree
Pellitory
Pepper Bark Tree
Peppermint
Plectranthus amboinicus
Plumbago zeylanica
Polygonum
Potentilla
Pulsatilla
Quisqualis
Rhus glabra
Rubus
rue
Sabadilla
Sagebrush
Salvia
Sandalwood
Sandy Everlasting
Sanguisorba
Sapindus mukorossi
Scabrous Gentian
scrophularia root
Self-Heal
Semiaquilegia
Sensitive Plant
sheep's sorrel
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Snakeroot
Soapberry
Southernwood
Spanish Needle
Speedwell
Spikenard
Spilanthes
Storax
Sumac
Sweet Annie
Sweet Bay
sweetgums
Tannins
Tea Tree Oil
Terpinen-4-ol
Thymol
turmeric
typhonium
Vervain
vitamin D
vitamin E
Waltheria ovata
White oak
Winter Savory
Witch Hazel
Wrightia tinctoria
Yarrow
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by labrador tea
Abdominal PainAfterbirth Pain
Arthritis
Asthma
Bites and Stings
Bladder Infection
Bleeding (external)
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Canker Sores
Chest Pain
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Cuts
Dandruff
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Dislocation
Ear Infection or Earache
Eczema
Emphysema
Eye Infections
Fever
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Indigestion
Inflammation
Influenza
Insomnia
Itching
