May’s Oil of the Month comes from a beautiful, low growing shrub called Ledum. It goes by many other names including Labrador Tea, Greenland Moss, Swamp Tea, and Marsh Tea. Despite its swampy monikers, this plant has a rich history in North America and has been a favorite for its many uses.
Let’s take a look at some of the amazing ways to use Ledum!
*Don’t have Ledum? Make sure to become an Oil of the Month member to get unique, monthly surprises to your door every month!
Background
For the Native Americans, the Ledum plant was considered a cure-all and beneficial for many ailments. The leaves were also used to make herbal tea for its therapeutic benefits. It was even used in Russian folk medicine to help with respiratory concerns and skin issues. Fun fact, when the British imposed higher taxes on tea during the American Revolution, they used Ledum to replace the tea.
How it’s made
Our Ledum essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves of the plant that is grown in Canada. The plant these leaves come from an evergreen shrub that grows about five feet in height and has white flowers. It’s also a quite hardy plant that can survive fires. It’s one of the first plants to grow back after a fire. Ledum prefers to grow in wet, marshy soil, but can also thrive in rocky, drier areas up in the mountains.
Benefits
Before you know it, this oil will be sure to be one of your favorites. It has a herbaceous, peppery, slightly sweet aroma. When you’re feeling emotionally turbulent, add a few drops to your diffuser to help provide feelings of calm and reduce nervousness. This is especially useful if you have a hard time winding down before bed.
Ledum is also well known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, making it extremely useful for joint pain. You can also apply it topically diluted in a carrier oil to help with digestive concerns. And it’s a great oil to use during times of respiratory congestion and seasonal illnesses to help with breathing and support the immune system.
Some things you need to know about Ledum….
Is it KidSafe? Yes
Shelf Life: 1-2 years
Blending
Ledum has a herbaceous, peppery, slightly sweet aroma that is sure to please. Some oils to blend with Bergamot, Cedarwood, Lemon, Lavender, Petitgrain, Rose, and Sweet Fennel.
Make sure to head over to our Safe Essential Oil Recipes group on Facebook for more ideas and inspiration on how to use the new Oil of the Month.
If you have any questions or need more information, feel free to reach out to our aromatherapists at aromatherapists@planttherapy.com!
