Rooibos or Red Bush Tea as it is also known is not a true tea but an herb that is indigenous to the Cederberg area of South Africa.
Due to its widely publicized health benefits, it has grown into a billion-dollar export industry since the mid-twentieth century. The tea has no caffeine and only half the tannin of ordinary tea.
Apart from being refreshing to drink, in place of ordinary tea and coffee, it has the advantage of containing minerals and powerful antioxidants. Having no oxalic acid it also does not irritate the kidneys.
The Japanese scientists, who did studies in the 1960s, discovered Rooibos contains a powerful antioxidant similar to SOD which is thought to retard aging, and quercetin which is believed to have potent anti-inflammatory properties.
Besides that Rooibos is also found to contain aspalathin which counteracts the atherosclerotic processes that result in heart disease.
Due to this the Japanese promote it as an Anti-Aging Tea and import large quantities of the tea.
The research was done elsewhere where the French found that hair lotion containing Rooibos promoted faster hair growth with improvement in the hair condition and caused no allergic reactions.
In South Africa research found that the polyphenol content in Rooibos is similar to green tea. Polyphenols help protect the body from damage by free radicals.
Rooibos has been found to be helpful with general health problems. It relieves digestive problems, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and constipation.
Having a calming effect helps with irritability, insomnia, and depression.
Both prenatal and breastfeeding Mothers supplement their intake of manganese, calcium, and fluoride drinking Rooibos and therefore promote strong teeth and healthy bones in their babies.
Rooibos, when applied at every nappy change, relieves nappy rash and when drunk by the baby relieves colic.
The preparation of Rooibos is the same as ordinary tea. First, warm the teapot with boiling water and then place one teaspoon of tea or tea bag per cup required in the pot.
Pour over boiling water and let infuse for a few minutes. The longer it is left before drinking the more antioxidants the tea will contain.
Can be served plain, with hot or cold milk or lemon. It can be lightly sweetened with honey or sugar or just left without any sweetening. Rooibos also makes wonderful ice tea.
In South Africa, Rooibos Tea is often used in day to day cooking as not only does it add important minerals and antioxidants to the diet and help digestion, it also enhances the flavors of the cooking.
Just replace the water in a recipe with the tea. Next time you are in your health shop or in a department store stocking specialty teas, why not pick up a packet and try it out?
