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Rooibos Tea - The Healthy Drink.
Rooibos or Red Bush Tea as it is also known is not a true tea but an
herb which is indigenous to the Cederburg 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 1960's, 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.
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 it helps with irritability,
insomnia and depression.
Both pre natal and breast feeding 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.
Preparation of Rooibos is the same as ordinary tea. First warm the
tea pot 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 a 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?
Home > Herbal Remedies > Rooibos Tea
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