# Ledum essential oil

> A rare northern herb oil, also known as Labrador tea, with a mellow, earthy aroma used in small amounts for grounding blends.

Canonical page: https://essential-oils.club/oils/single/ledum

Type: Single oil

## At a glance

- **Botanical name:** Ledum groenlandicum
- **Plant part:** Leaves
- **Extraction:** Steam-distilled
- **Aroma:** Mellow, sweet, earthy
- **Origin:** Northern Canada, Scandinavia
- **Blends with:** Cedarwood, vetiver, patchouli

## Composition

- Limonene: 25%
- Sabinene: 12%
- Selin-11-en-4-α-ol: 10%
- α-Pinene: 8%
- β-Pinene: 5%
- γ-Terpinene: 4%

Source: Phytochemistry study on the essential oil of Ledum groenlandicum (1993) (https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(93)85406-h)

## Key constituents

- **Germacrene D** — A sesquiterpene reported as one of the more prominent compounds in Labrador tea oil

## How to use it

- **In the diffuser:** 2–3 drops for a calming, grounding note, blended with cedarwood or frankincense.
- **On skin:** Dilute 1–2% in a carrier oil; patch-test on a small area before wider use.

## Safety

- For topical use, dilute in a carrier oil and keep out of reach of children.
- Maximum dermal use: Dilute in a carrier oil for skin.
- Use the Labrador tea species (Rhododendron/Ledum groenlandicum), not marsh Ledum palustre, which is higher in toxic ledol.
- Traditionally avoided during pregnancy; use conservatively.
- Not phototoxic. Keep out of reach of children.

## What the research says

- Ledum (Labrador tea) oil has been characterised chemically and studied for antioxidant activity. Its traditional 'cleansing'/liver-support reputation is preliminary and not clinically established. — Phytochemistry study (1993) (https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(93)85406-h)

## Evidence

- Labrador tea oil is a limonene- and sesquiterpene-alcohol-rich oil, chemically distinct from the toxic marsh Ledum palustre. — Phytochemistry study (1993) (https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(93)85406-h)

## Frequently asked questions

### Is ledum safe?

The Labrador tea species (Rhododendron/Ledum groenlandicum) is the one used aromatically; avoid the marsh species Ledum palustre, which is higher in toxic ledol. Use conservatively and avoid it during pregnancy.

### What is ledum used for?

Also called Labrador tea, it has a herbaceous, slightly balsamic aroma and a traditional reputation for 'cleansing' and relaxation. These uses are traditional and preliminary rather than proven.

### Is ledum phototoxic?

No — ledum isn't phototoxic, so there's no sun-exposure restriction. Dilute it for topical use as usual.

_Educational reference only — not medical advice. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease._