The red roots and root bark of New Jersey tea were commonly used by North American Indians for infections of the upper respiratory tract , and later the leaves by the white settlers as a tea substitute and stimulating caffeine - free beverage .
The red roots and root bark of New Jersey tea were commonly used by North American Indians for infections of the upper respiratory tract . 
 The leaves have a fresh scent of wintergreen and were later used by the white settlers as a tea substitute and stimulating caffeine - free beverage .