Plant Comparison
Labrador-tea vs Goldenrod
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Labrador-tea and Goldenrod: they share 6 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, inflammation (general), skin irritation, …); 3 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Labrador-tea | Goldenrod | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 2/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Swelling / fluid retention | 3/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Labrador-tea |
| Urinary support | 1/10 | 7/10 | Stronger for Goldenrod |
| Urinary tract infection (UTI) | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
Ledol is the characteristic, mildly toxic sesquiterpene alcohol of the leaf, particularly concentrated in fresh material.
Toxic diterpenes shared with related Ericaceae; the basis for the caution around excessive or prolonged use.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from diuretic action
inferred from diuretic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from diuretic action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Labrador tea contains ledol, a toxic sesquiterpene alcohol, particularly concentrated in fresh leaves. Excessive consumption can cause dizziness, headache, nausea, and even toxicity (especially in the related Ledum palustre). Use only in small, controlled amounts. Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Identify plant correctly — confusion with other bog plants can be dangerous.
Duke (2002) rates Labrador tea as + (caution warranted) and notes primarily folkloric activities, with the plant acting as a diuretic, expectorant, and vulnerary. Importantly, Duke classifies it as having narcotic and deliriant potential — large doses can cause intoxication, hallucinations, and toxicity. It contains ericolin and ledol, which are potentially neurotoxic compounds. Duke emphasizes that Labrador tea should be used only with caution and at low doses, and notes that it is not appropriate for regular internal use given its toxicity profile at higher amounts (Duke, 2002).
Generally well tolerated. Not recommended in cases of fluid retention due to impaired cardiac or renal function. Ensure adequate fluid intake when using as a diuretic. May cause allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to Asteraceae plants. Avoid use during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to limited safety data.
Duke (2002) provides clinical evidence (score 2) for goldenrod's anti-inflammatory activity, consistent with Commission E approval. It is also classified as an aquaretic (increases urine output without electrolyte loss) and antispasmodic, used for urinary tract irrigation therapy. Dose: 6–12 g dried herb daily as tea for urinary complaints. Duke cautions against use in cases of edema from renal or cardiac insufficiency, and notes that the herb may cause allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to Asteraceae plants (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Botanical Description
Low evergreen shrub (Ericaceae), 30-100 cm tall. Leaves are narrow, leathery, with in-rolled margins and a dense, rust-coloured, woolly felt on the underside, strongly aromatic when crushed. Small white flowers are borne in terminal clusters.[4]
Perennial herb (Asteraceae), 20-100 cm tall, with erect, often reddish, downy or smooth stems. Leaves are alternate, lance-shaped and toothed. Numerous small, bright yellow, daisy-like flower heads are clustered into branched, plume-like terminal sprays, followed by small ribbed achenes with a tuft of hairs (pappus).[1]
Habitat
Harvesting
Leaves and young stems are gathered, traditionally in late summer, and dried. Only small amounts are used given the plant's ledol/grayanotoxin content, and correct identification against toxic bog look-alikes (bog rosemary) is essential.[6]
The flowering aerial parts are cut during flowering (late summer) and dried.[11]
Traditional Uses
Labrador tea has a long Indigenous North American and Scandinavian folk-medicine tradition as a mild diuretic and respiratory remedy, and as an aromatic tea and spice, always used in small, cautious amounts given its narcotic/toxic potential at higher doses. Modern phytochemical work confirms anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of its essential oil.[1]
Goldenrod has a long European folk-medicine tradition as a mild 'aquaretic' diuretic and anti-inflammatory remedy for the urinary tract, used traditionally for urinary-tract irrigation therapy alongside adequate fluid intake, and topically as a wound herb (one common name is 'woundwort'). Modern phytochemical work confirms saponin- and flavonoid-driven anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and diuretic activity.[1, 11]
Preparations
Dosage
Duke (2002) advises using Labrador tea only with caution and at low doses given its narcotic/deliriant potential at higher amounts; it is not appropriate for regular internal use. Educational reference only, not a prescription - use only small, occasional amounts of properly identified leaf.
References
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
References & Sources
- Dampc, A. and Luczkiewicz, M (2013) 'Rhododendron tomentosum (Ledum palustre): a review of traditional use based on current research', pp. 130--143. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Rhododendron%20tomentosum%20%28Ledum%20palustre%29%3A%20a%20review%20of%20traditional%20use%20based%20on%20current%20research - Jesionek, A., Kokotkiewicz, A., Mikosik-Roczynska, A., Ciesielska-Figlon, K. and others (2019) 'Chemical variability of Rhododendron tomentosum (Ledum palustre) essential oils and their pro-apoptotic effect on lymphocytes and rheumatoid arthritis synoviocytes', Fitoterapia, 139, pp. 104402. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2019.104402 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2019.104402 - Kang, J.Y., Tran, K.D., Seiff, S.R., Mack, W.P. and Lee, W.W (2017) 'Assessing the Effectiveness of Arnica montana and Rhododendron tomentosum (Ledum palustre) in the Reduction of Ecchymosis and Edema After Oculofacial Surgery: Preliminary Results', Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 33(1), pp. 47-52. doi:10.1097/IOP.0000000000000645 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1097/IOP.0000000000000645 - Vengryte, M. and Raudone, L (2024) 'Phytochemical Profiling and Biological Activities of Rhododendron subsect. Ledum: Discovering the Medicinal Potential of Labrador Tea Species in the Northern Hemisphere', Plants (Basel), 13(6), pp. 901. doi:10.3390/plants13060901 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13060901 - Iunusova, D.R., Polezhaeva, M.A. and Marchuk, E.A (2024) 'Confusing boundaries of the Labrador tea species: dispersal history explains the lack of clear species structure', Annals of Botany, 134(6), pp. 959-974. doi:10.1093/aob/mcae130 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcae130 - Dampc, A. and Luczkiewicz, M (2014) 'Labrador tea - the aromatic beverage and spice: a review of origin, processing and safety', Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 95(8), pp. 1577-1583. doi:10.1002/jsfa.6889 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.6889 - Jaenson, T.G.T., Palsson, K. and Borg-Karlson, A.K (2005) 'Evaluation of extracts and oils of tick-repellent plants from Sweden', Medical and Veterinary Entomology, 19(4), pp. 345-352. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2915.2005.00578.x Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2915.2005.00578.x - Tattje, D.H.E. and Bos, R (1981) 'Composition of essential oil of Ledum palustre', Planta Medica, 41(3), pp. 303-307. doi:10.1055/s-2007-971719 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2007-971719 - Zhang, K., Wang, J., Chen, L., Li, J. and others (2019) 'Two new taraxerane-type triterpenes from Ledum palustre L', Natural Product Research, 34(19), pp. 2723-2728. doi:10.1080/14786419.2019.1586689 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2019.1586689 - Islam, M.N., Khalil, M.I., Islam, M.A. and Gan, S.H (2013) 'Toxic compounds in honey', Journal of Applied Toxicology, 34(7), pp. 733-742. doi:10.1002/jat.2952 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.2952 - Baananou, S., Bagdonaite, E., Marongiu, B., Piras, A. and others (2014) 'Supercritical CO2 extract and essential oil of aerial part of Ledum palustre L. - Chemical composition and anti-inflammatory activity', Natural Product Research, 29(11), pp. 999-1005. doi:10.1080/14786419.2014.965167 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2014.965167 - Grieve, M (1931) 'A Modern Herbal'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=A%20Modern%20Herbal - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Kirtley, Paul (2015) 'Labrador Tea - Tonic or Toxic?'. Available at: https://paulkirtley.co.uk/2015/labrador-tea-tonic-or-toxic/ Traditional / reference
https://paulkirtley.co.uk/2015/labrador-tea-tonic-or-toxic/ - Jiang, L. and Zhanxiong, L. and Fengcai, Y. and Fuli, L. and Xiaoling, S (2022) 'Third-degree atrioventricular block caused by intoxication with rhododendron leaves', Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology, 28(2), pp. e13012. doi:10.1111/anec.13012 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1111/anec.13012
- Fursenco, C., Calalb, T., Uncu, L., Dinu, M. and others (2020) 'Solidago virgaurea L.: A Review of Its Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities', Biomolecules, 10(12), pp. 1619. doi:10.3390/biom10121619 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/biom10121619 - Abdel Motaal, A., Ezzat, S.M., Tadros, M.G. and El-Askary, H.I (2016) 'In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives from Solidago virgaurea in rats', Pharmaceutical Biology, 54(12), pp. 2864-2870. doi:10.1080/13880209.2016.1190381 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/13880209.2016.1190381 - Précheur, I., Rolland, Y., Hasseine, L., Orange, F. and others (2020) 'Solidago virgaurea L. Plant Extract Targeted Against Candida albicans to Reduce Oral Microbial Biomass: A Double Blind Randomized Trial on Healthy Adults', Antibiotics, 9(4), pp. 137. doi:10.3390/antibiotics9040137 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics9040137 - Wojnicz, D., Tichaczek-Goska, D., Glensk, M. and Hendrich, A.B (2021) 'Is It Worth Combining Solidago virgaurea Extract and Antibiotics against Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Rods? An In Vitro Model Study', Pharmaceutics, 13(4), pp. 573. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics13040573 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13040573 - El-Tantawy, W.H (2013) 'Biochemical effects of Solidago virgaurea extract on experimental cardiotoxicity', Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry, 70(1), pp. 33-42. doi:10.1007/s13105-013-0277-0 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13105-013-0277-0 - Gross, S.C., Goodarzi, G., Watabe, M., Bandyopadhyay, S. and others (2002) 'Antineoplastic activity of Solidago virgaurea on prostatic tumor cells in an SCID mouse model', Nutrition and Cancer, 43(1), pp. 76-81. doi:10.1207/S15327914NC431_9 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327914NC431_9 - Starks, C.M., Williams, R.B., Goering, M.G., O'Neil-Johnson, M. and others (2010) 'Antibacterial clerodane diterpenes from Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea)', Phytochemistry, 71(1), pp. 104-109. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.09.032 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.09.032 - Malicanin, M., Karabegovic, I., Dordevic, N., Mancic, S. and others (2024) 'Influence of the Extraction Method on the Biological Potential of Solidago virgaurea L. Essential Oil and Hydrolates', Plants, 13(16), pp. 2187. doi:10.3390/plants13162187 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13162187 - Zehra, S.A., Bhattarai, P., Zhang, J., Liu, Y. and others (2022) 'Phytochemical Analysis and Evaluation of the Antidiabetic Activity of Solidago virgaurea Extracts', Current Bioactive Compounds, 19(4), pp. e150622206146. doi:10.2174/1573407218666220615143502 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2174/1573407218666220615143502 - Jang, Y.S., Wang, Z., Lee, J.M., Lee, J.Y. and others (2016) 'Screening of Korean Natural Products for Anti-Adipogenesis Properties and Isolation of Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside as a Potent Anti-Adipogenetic Compound from Solidago virgaurea', Molecules, 21(2), pp. 226. doi:10.3390/molecules21020226 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules21020226 - European Medicines Agency (2008) 'Community herbal monograph on Solidago virgaurea L., herba'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Community%20herbal%20monograph%20on%20Solidago%20virgaurea%20L.%2C%20herba - Bader, G., Binder, K., Hiller, K. and Zwintscher, U (1990) 'The saponins from Solidago virgaurea L', 45(8), pp. 618--622. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=The%20saponins%20from%20Solidago%20virgaurea%20L - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Grow Forage Cook Ferment 'Foraging Goldenrod (Solidago): Identification and Uses'. Available at: https://www.growforagecookferment.com/foraging-goldenrod/ Traditional / reference
https://www.growforagecookferment.com/foraging-goldenrod/ - Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board 'Tansy Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)'. Available at: https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weeds/tansy-ragwort Traditional / reference
https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weeds/tansy-ragwort - Schneider, J. and Tsegaye, Y. and W/Tensae, M. and G/Selassie, S. and Haile, T. and Bane, A. and Ali, A. and Mesfin, G. and Seboxa, T (2012) 'Veno-occlusive liver disease: a case report', Ethiopian Medical Journal, 50 Suppl 2, pp. 47-51. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22946295/ Clinical study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22946295/
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.