SWAMP TEA

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Lots of people, many kids, on northern reservations here and west into Montana,

can show you what they call "swamp tea" though there are two different plants

that different kids will show you. Only one of these is what was the traditional

swamp tea, Muskeegobug, Ledum glandulosum, or Laborador Tea as its main

common English name. The other was known as Odigadimanido, a special gift of the

spirit or Manido powers. That's Ceanothus ovatus, or New Jersey Tea in its

common English name.

Swamp tea or Muskeeg Anibi,

botannically named Ledum

glandulosum, common name Laborador

Tea, is found from Greenland to the

Rockies, and Northwest coast. In

Minnesota it doesn't usually flower this

big. This tea grows everywhere in the

north, a weed 1 - 3 feet tall. Most

reservation people know about it. It

contributes vitamins and minerals,

contains both thyeine and caffeine for a

pick-up and to still that coffee craving.

Tea can be made from crushed green

leaves.

Native Foods -- Swamp teas

http://www.kstrom.net/isk/food/swamp.html (1 of 4) [5/17/2004 11:47:56 AM]