Sheep laurel

The name given to this plant by the Têtes-de-Boule Native people means 'sleep-inducing'. Although it may induce sleep, sheep laurel may also be fatally toxic in large doses. Various Native tribes, including the Micmacs and the Montagnais, recognized its toxicity. They did use it as a poultice to relieve headaches, however, and drank it in very small quantities as an infusion or maceration to relieve colds and back and stomach aches. The Crees used it as a tonic, although this is difficult to explain. Sheep and other large livestock have often died from eating sheep laurel leaves, especially in winter. Eating large quantities of the leaves is said to cause dizziness and headaches, loss of vision, nausea, vomiting, trembling, general apathy and finally death.