Northern Delights herbal teas are part of a long tradition of plant-based remedies, because for countless generations, the Inuit attributed natural curative powers to various plants that grew in their environment. We have composed our herbal teas using these traditional ingredients in order to perpetuate the knowledge of the ancestors and share the cultural values of a people who have always lived in harmony with nature. So we invite you to learn a few details about the five traditional plants that inspired our Northern Delights tea project.

Ukiurtatuq

This plant (Ledum decumbens) is a close cousin of Labrador tea, and is also known as Northern Labrador Tea.  With its straight leaves and white flowers, it resembles Labrador Tea but in a smaller format, and can be found growing through most of Nunavik.

Our Arctic Blend is formulated using the flowers, stems and small leaves of the plant. The plant is carefully cut by hand to encourage regrowth, and the leaves are hand-sorted after drying to remove the larger stems.

According to tradition, this tea is useful for treating stomach-ache and digestive problems.

Arpiqutik

Cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus) is a plant of the rosaceae family.  In parts of Canada, it is known as bakeapple. It grows in damp areas near water.

The fruit of the cloudberry resembles an orange-coloured raspberry, and is popular for making jam. Only the leaves are used in the making of Arpiqutik tea, and they are harvested only after the berry-picking season has ended. The leaves and stems are sorted carefully by hand.

In the old days, cloudberry leaves were boiled to make a tasty beverage for the treatment of kidney problems and stomach-aches.

Qisiqtutauyak

The Ground Juniper plant (Juniperus communis) is a shrub from the Cupressaceae family.  It is found growing in sandy areas along the coast and in dry, rocky soil.

We harvest the berries that go into our Qisiqtutauyak tea by cutting the smaller branches and drying them so the berries can be separated from the sharp needles. Limiting the harvest to the smaller branches ensures that the shrubs regenerate quickly.

Ground juniper was traditionally boiled whole to produce a tea for the treatment of colds, lung problems, bleeding and bladder problems.

Paurngaqutik

Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) is a plant from the Ericaceae family that grows in abundance throughout Nunavik.  It can be found along the coast and in sandy rocky areas, often growing in isolation from other types of plants.

The berries, which resemble blueberries, grow on short stems, which we cut carefully so as not to disturb the underlying root structure. This way, the plant regenerates quickly. We blend Paurngaqutik with selected spices to produce a beautifully scented tea.

Traditionally, the Inuit used an infusion of crowberry to soothe upset stomachs.

Mamaittuqutik

Labrador tea plants (Ledum groenlandicum) are the best known of all the plants used for traditional Inuit tea. Like crowberry, it belongs to the Ericaceae family. It can be found through almost all of Nunavik, usually growing in dry rocky areas or in peat bogs.

This shrub is easy to recognize by its white flower buds and distinctive leaves that are smooth on top and fuzzy beneath. The tea includes both leaves and flowers, which give it a sweet perfume. After the leaves are dried, the stems are carefully picked out by hand.

Originally, Labrador tea was used as a treatment for aches and pains, breathing troubles and bleeding.