 Maskêkopakwa – Muskeg Tea I chose to feature Muskeg Tea because it is probably the most versatile plant and flower in the North, it's Ralph's favourite and it's also our 3rd wedding anniversary (we had sprigs of muskeg tea in some of the flowers arrangements). You may recognize this plant as Labrador Tea but here in Northern Alberta we call it Muskeg Tea. Likely we call it that because we have much of Canada's wetlands; and that my friend is where Muskeg Tea thrives. You don't often find a campfire that doesn't have muskeg tea brewing in the tea pot, at least I don't but that's because Ralph makes it into a tonic for medicinal reasons. It's caffeine free but has an aromatic and slightly bitter taste similar to black tea. One of the major benefits is that it is accessible all year long because the leaves never die off all at once and when they do die will generally stay attached to the stem. If you need to, you can dig it out of the snow and boil it to your heart's (excellent for increased circulation) content. It has a vast number of medicinal uses. This little plant is an alterative, analgesic, diaphoretic, diuretic, pectoral and tonic. It can be made into essential oil, hydrosol, infused oil, ointment, poultice, sauna herb, spice, tea and tincture. Here a (just) a few things you can use it for:
How to repel ghosts: Hang bundled dried plants in your closet, it also found to do a good job of repelling moths. How to make tea: Steep one heaping teaspoonful of leaves or flowers per person in boiling water for 5 minutes. The colour should be a clear, pale amber-orange. It can also be used to stretch black tea for a more aromatic drink. It can make you very drowsy and is a strong diuretic so use infrequently. How to make infused oil: 1 cup (250 mL) tea flowers 1.5 cups (375 mL) jojoba oil or any oil that you have on hand Gather flowers before the heat of the day. Place flowers in a jar and cover with oil. Infuse for up to 4 weeks, shaking daily. How to use as a spice: You can use the whole leaves as a substitute for a bay leaf in stews, sauces and soups. You can also crush or grind the leaves to add to meat dishes or in a salad.My mom found me Wild Muskeg Spice by Laughing Lichen which is mixed with Sweet Gale (that you can also get in delicious tea form by Algonquin Tea Co.). Or go pick yourself and make your own delicious creations. 
3 Comments
9/12/2019 07:01:59 am
Plants are really helpful to us humans. I mean, aside from the fact that we get to eat them, they can also be used in a number of different things. If you ask me, it is important that everyone of us learn how they can be helpful. For example, we can use the vines of a plant and make it into a rope. There are a lot of other things where they can be useful in, so let us learn all of them. 11/30/2025 03:22:53 am
I find it fascinating how versatile muskeg tea is and its various uses. Leave a Reply. |
About me
I grew up in Athabasca, AB and have spent the majority of my life in Northern Alberta or Montreal, PQ. My husband has been in Fort McMurray since the 70s and continues to love this town and all that it has to offer. We are avid outdoor enthusiasts, spending our summer weekends quadding and camping. As Opimian members we thoroughly enjoy wine pairings and tastings and are working on our wine collection. Ralph is a carpenter by trade and has framed more houses in Fort McMurray than I could count and knows the city inside and out. I work all throughout the region from the NWT to Janvier for the tribal council. My passion is doodling and photography which is featured throughout the website (various mediums), writing, Indigenous studies, and learning in general. Categories |
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