Marsh Labrador Tea Interactions Overview

Check For Interactions With Marsh Labrador Tea

Marsh Labrador Tea

Also known as
  • Rhododendron tomentosum
  • James' Tea
  • Lède des Marais
  • Ledi Palustris Herba
  • Lédon des Marais
  • Ledum Silvestre
  • Marsh Citrus
  • Moth Herb
  • Northern Labrador Tea
  • Petit Thé du Labrador
  • Romarin Sauvage
  • Romero Silvestre
  • Sumpfporst
  • Swamp Tea
  • Te de Los Pantanos
  • Wild Rosem
Marsh Labrador Tea Marsh Labrador tea (Rhododendron tomentosum) is a shrub that is native to North America and a member of the heath family (Ericaceae). The shrub has small, white or pink flowers that bloom in the spring, and small, green berries that turn black when ripe. It contains the word 'marsh' in its name as it is often seen growing in nutrient-poor, acidic soils of bogs and swamps. Marsh Labrador tea has been used most commonly in traditional medicine as a natural remedy for colds and respiratory problems. The leaves and twigs of the plant are used to make a tea that is believed to have astringent, expectorant, and diuretic properties. It has also been used for stimulating milk flow, as well as topically to relieve e swelling, ulcers, burns and stings. It is important to use caution when consuming Marsh Labrador tea as it contains very small amounts of a toxic substance known as andromedotoxin, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing if ingested in large amounts.
There are 247 drugs known to interact with Marsh Labrador Tea

Additional Details

Is Marsh Labrador Tea Safe? Are There Any Warnings?

When considering the use of marsh Labrador tea, especially through oral consumption, caution is advised due to potential safety concerns. It's important to note that using large amounts of marsh Labrador tea orally with the intention of inducing abortion is considered likely unsafe. The essential oil derived from this plant can lead to severe gastrointestinal tract irritation, harm to the kidneys and urinary tract, and even paralysis.

For individuals who are pregnant, it's crucial to exercise extra caution. Marsh Labrador tea is believed to have the ability to stimulate the uterus and might act as an abortifacient, making its oral use during pregnancy likely unsafe. Similarly, there's a lack of reliable information about the safety of marsh Labrador tea for other purposes.

How Does Marsh Labrador Tea Work? What Is Its Mechanism of Action?

The unique properties of marsh Labrador tea are attributed to its essential oil content, primarily ledol, found in the leaves and flowering shoots. This essential oil contributes to its distinct taste. Notably, the concentration of ledol varies based on the geographical source, ranging from 3.9% to 30.5%. The essential oil also includes compounds such as cyclocolorenone, palustrol, sabinene, p-cymene, limonene, alpha- and beta-pinene, gamma-terpineol, and germacrone.

However, it's important to approach marsh Labrador tea with caution, especially due to ledol's toxicity. In higher doses, ledol can lead to central nervous system excitation, psychomotor stimulation, spasms, seizures, paralysis, and even fatality. Mild stimulating effects akin to caffeine can be observed with smaller amounts of ledol.

Pharmacokinetics

Unfortunately, there is currently limited reliable information available about the pharmacokinetics of marsh Labrador tea.

Interaction Overview

Marsh tea has the potential to interact with certain substances. Notably, it can amplify the effects of barbiturates and alcohol, which could lead to heightened central nervous system depression. Individuals with gastrointestinal irritation, kidney dysfunction, or those undergoing surgery should exercise caution when considering the use of marsh Labrador tea.

Common Side Effects To Watch For

Oral consumption of substantial amounts of marsh Labrador tea can result in poisoning, mainly due to the presence of ledol. This poisoning can manifest as severe gastrointestinal irritation, leading to symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. In more severe cases, it can cause harm to the kidneys and urinary tract, trigger heavy perspiration, and result in muscle and joint pain.

Central nervous system excitation, seizures, and paralysis are also potential outcomes. Worth noting is that the content of ledol in marsh Labrador tea varies and can range from 3.9% to 30.5%, contingent on its geographic origin.

Effectiveness

At present, there isn't enough reliable evidence to firmly assess the effectiveness of marsh Labrador tea for most intended uses. One small observational study suggests potential benefits in postoperative swelling and healing when applying hydrogel pads containing homeopathic doses of arnica and marsh Labrador tea. However, the study's methodology and lack of control group raise questions about the findings' validity.

Dosing & Administration

For addressing postoperative swelling, a specific approach involves using hydrogel pads that contain homeopathic doses of arnica and marsh Labrador tea. These pads are applied bilaterally and changed every 6 hours for 2 days following surgery. Subsequently, they are applied for 3 hours daily from day 3 to day 6 after the surgical procedure.

Standardization & Formulation

At this time, there is insufficient reliable information available to fully understand the standardization of marsh Labrador tea.

Drugs that interact with Marsh Labrador Tea

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Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

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