Rooibios Tea (Aspalathus linearis)
Rooibos tea, also known as “Red Bush” tea is one such natural remedy, made without preservatives, additives, caffeine, colorants or other chemicals. The healing qualities of Rooibos tea are still being discovered in a lot of ways. Much of today’s research has been conducted in South Africa and Japan, uncovering more and more positive and healing attributes and interest in the health benefits of Rooibos tea.
Organic South African Rooibos Tea
Nature never ceases to amaze us with her abundant remedies. Our Rooibos Tea is one such natural remedy, made without preservatives, additives, colorants or otherchemicals. Ongoing research continues to uncover diverse healing properties from clearing acne and resisting signs of aging, improving adult digestion, soothing depression,easing colic in babies and relieving allergies, to fighting cancer and HIV. Rooibos tea is delicious served hot or cold and can be added to beverages, sauces, soups and stews,and meals to enhance flavor and color. Rooibos contains no caffeine, low tannin, and no harmful side-effects.
Health Benefits of Rooibos Tea
The healing qualities of Rooibos Tea are still being discovered in a lot of ways. Much of today’s research has been conducted in South Africa and Japan, uncovering more andmore positive and healing attributes, and interest in the health benefits of Rooibos Tea. So far, studies have shown Roobios Tea to contain antioxidants; relieve mild depression,insomnia and nervous tension; aid digestion in adults; reduce allergy symptoms such as asthma, skin irritation (itching, eczema, acne) and hay fever; enforce anti-agingproperties in the skin and body; and relieve colic in babies (it is often also used as a supplement for babies who are allergic to milk). Plus, Rooibos Tea has properties which help fight cancer and HIV.
Rooibos Tea is low in tannin (or tannic acid), which is a substance common in most teas (and a large component of the bitter taste) that decreases the body’s absorption of iron and inhibits proper digestion of protein. Tannin has been said to reduce the iron in tea drinkers by approximately one third. The level of tannin in Rooibos tea is so low that tests have confirmed that Rooibos tea does not significantly affect iron absorption. It also contains no caffeine. Studies on caffeine are concluding that it forces your body to function under a sustained, heightened level of stress, affecting among other things your heart and blood pressure. Rooibos lifts energy and mood naturally, without caffeine.
Rooibos tea contains minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, zinc, fluoride (which can be beneficial when in its natural context), potassium, and sodium. These minerals aid the body in maintaining healthy metabolic processes and nervous systems, and keep your skin, bones and teeth healthy and strong. Strong natural antioxidants can also be found in Rooibos tea. Antioxidants protect against toxicity in our environment which contribute to cardio-vascular diseases, aging and cancer. Very exciting studies have been performed on Rooibos tea, demonstrating an ability to resist X-ray induced cancer in test animals and cease brain oxidation caused by aging.
Also present in Rooibos tea are oligosaccharides and flavonoids. Oligosaccharides are a small number of saccharides or simple sugars which participate in T-cell viral binding, thereby helping to resist HIV. Flavonoids are intense antioxidants, more potent than vitamin C. The flavonoid aspalathin can only be found in Rooibos tea. Rooibos also contains properties which act like Super Oxide Dismutase, an enzyme which hunts free radicals, guarding the body from oxidant damage.
History of Rooibos Tea
Though histories differ slightly as to how and when Rooibos tea was introduced to the world, all seem to agree on how a wild bush became a healing tea used around the globe. The local people of the Cedarberg area of the South African Cape discovered that the needle-like leaves of “Aspalathus Linearis” or “redbush” plant made a delicious tea. They devised a process for making the tea which involved bruising the leaves and stems of the harvested plants then leaving them to ferment in heaps and finally drying them in the sun. Current methods of processing Rooibos have not strayed far from their original form. There are many standards in effect now to regulate the quality of Rooibos and ensure that our organic Rooibos tea is pure, natural, and of the highest quality.
Recipe Recommendations
Think beyond your tea cup! Get creative with the versatile flavor, aroma and hue of Rooibos Tea. It is an excellent complement to soups and stews, sauces, cocktails, and even the main course. It is delicious served both hot and cold and does not lose flavor or color when reheated or refrigerated. The limit is your imagination and your taste buds.
The recommended method for making a cup of hot Rooibos Tea is to steep 1 teaspoon of Rooibos (per each cup) in boiling water for 2-4 minutes or until the tea is dark red. It can be enjoyed with milk, honey, sugar, lemon, you choose.
For delicious Iced Tea (makes 1 qt), place 5 teaspoons of Rooibos into a heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups freshly boiled water over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into the pitcher straining the leaves. Add ice and top-up with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.