How Red Rooibos Tea Boosts Your Health

Western Cape) on the Klein Kliphuis Farm (which literally translated Small Stone
House Farm).

For generations the tea has been used as a home treatment and very few questioned
it's ability to relieve certain ailments. Scientific studies performed over recent years
have proven many of these claims to be true. Rooibos tea is an infusion made with
oxidized leaves of the rooibos plant. It contains two main flavonoids, aspalathin and
nothofagin. Aspalathin is unique to rooibos while nothofagin may also be found in
other plants. The aspalathin in rooibos have been shown to be more effective in
getting rid of free radicals than the EGCG flavonoid found in green tea.

List of Benefits:

Decreases nervous tension
Helps to prevent allergies
Relief from digestive problems because of its antispasmodic properties
Effective treatment for infantile colic
Brings relief to asthma sufferers as it acts as a bronchodilator and antispasmodic
agent
Can help with dermatological conditions. A Japanese study suggested that it is
beneficial for the topical treatment of acne.
The tea has been proven to be beneficial to heart health
Great beverage for diabetics since it has been proven in one study to suppress
the increase of fasting glucose levels as well as increasing glucose tolerance by
stimulating the glucose uptake in the muscle tissues. It also stimulates the insulin
secretion from the pancreas
It has been shown to aid regeneration of liver tissue and is therefore great for
those suffering from liver disease

Other Health Facts Concerning Rooibos:

Rooibos tea has about 1/10th of the tannin content of other teas. Tannin affects
your body's metabolism by interfering with its ability to absorb iron and protein
and can strip your body of about 1/3 of its iron levels.
Rooibos tea has no side-effects and can therefore be used in unlimited quantities
Since it contains no caffeine it can be enjoyed in the evening without concerns
that it may interfere with your sleep
It contains no kilojoules (calories) which means its a great beverage for those
who want to shed some weight
It contains minerals like iron, potassium, zinc, manganese and sodium
Pregnant moms can drink Rooibos tea without concerns that it may increase
nausea and heartburn
Since it contains no oxalic acid, it can be safely enjoyed by people with kidney
stones

Various Other Uses:

Rooibos tea is a favorite in a wide range of skin and beauty products because of its
many therapeutic benefits for the skin. Traditionally Rooibos tea is enjoyed without
milk and sweetened with honey or sugar. However, it does have a naturally sweet
taste and a distinct nutty flavor. A "red espresso" is often enjoyed by the health
conscious, which is a concentrated rooibos served in the ordinary style of espresso. A
"green" rooibos tea is also available which has been shown to have more or less
double the amount of anti-oxidants than the more popular red tea. It is also enjoyed
as an iced tea, but a recent study conducted at the University of Stellenbosch have
indicated that the brewed version of rooibos tea has more evidence of antioxidant
activity than rooibos iced teas:

Not a single brand of commercially-available rooibos iced teas tested for phenolic
quality (a large class of natural compounds found in colourful plants and with
laboratory evidence of antioxidant activity - Wikepedia), compared favourably with a
cup of brewed rooibos. Worse still, six of the eight brands tested showed not the
slightest trace of aspalathin, the antioxidant unique to rooibos.
See original article for relevant links and recipes: About The Author

Ula is a freelance health and wellness article writer who has 17 years experience in the
health industry and holds a bachelor's degree in science. She lives near Cape Town,
South Africa. Subscribe to free weekly health tips on her website here:
.

How Red Rooibos Tea Boosts Your Health
by Ula Berggren-Gillion

For the people of South Africa,
red tea has long been a favorite
natural remedy for various
ailments. The name Rooibos is
literally translated from Afrikaans
as "red bush." This bush is
selective as to where it grows
and is found only in a small area
of the Western Cape in South
Africa, namely the Cederberg
area. It is part of the fynbos
family of this region.

In the 1930's the first rooibos
plants were cultivated in
Clanwilliam (a small town in the

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The content on
this website is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your physician before using natural
remedies and before making any drastic changes to your diet or exercise program.