Rooibos tea, pronounced “Royboss”, is known as Red Tea. Its popularity is sweeping Europe and North America. Coffee conglomerates are now offering “Red Espresso” made from this unique red tea. The health benefits of Rooibos are growing as studies continue to come out exclaiming the many health promoting properties of this Native South African plant.

What is Rooibos?
Rooibos, from the Aspalathus Linearis plant, is almost exclusively grown on the west coast of South Africa. The problem is it has been unsuccessfully cultivated in other parts of the world. So it is almost completely dependent on the unique climate on South Africa’s west coast. Rooibos is a very hardy dry land crop and depends on deeply course acidic sandy soil specific to that region. It is so hardy it can survive at temperatures as low as zero degree centigrade and as high as 45 degrees centigrade. Unfortunately rising temperatures and decreasing rain falls are threatening the survival of this indigenous bush.

Rooibos tea can be found in either green or red varieties. Green Rooibos is unfermented – similar to green tea. And Red Rooibos is fermented, which is similar to black tea. Red Rooibos tea is more available and popular as its flavor is sweet and earthy. Green Rooibos is more malty flavored and is more expensive. Studies comparing the two for their health benefits vary as to which is the healthier variety.

Although historically used by South Africa’s native culture, Rooibos tea came to the world’s attention when Dutch settlers arrived in South Africa. The Dutch found the tea to be similar in taste black tea. This was attractive to the Dutch because of its availability and affordability compared to importing customary black tea.

What is Rooibos used for?

Rooibos has many health benefits and, while not studied on humans, has been studied extensively on animals. Benefits include its antioxidant properties, effects on your immune system, cardiovascular and cholesterol lowering effects.

Rooibos has very low caffeine and tannin content so it is a great substitute for those who are sensitive to caffeine or have stress, tension and a fast heart rate, which caffeine exacerbates.

It’s most popular quality is its antioxidant concentrations, specifically high in two called Aspapathin and Nothofagin. It’s also high in phenolic compounds called flavanols, flavones, and flavanones. Two of its more commonly known flavanoids are called Quercetin and Luteolin. Antioxidants, phenolic compounds and flavanoids are excellent in treating and managing inflammation and cardiovascular health.

How does Rooibos work?

Rooibos helps pain and inflammation mainly by two mechanisms. Its antioxidant content neutralizes free radicals and toxins that cause damage and inflammation to joints, connective tissue and your cardiovascular system.

Rooibos also inhibits the enzyme called Xanthine Oxidase. By doing this your body does not convert Purines (from animal protein and sea food) to Uric Acid. Uric acid causes pain and inflammation, particularly to joints. The classic disease caused by high Uric Acid levels is called Gout or Gouty Arthritis. This disease mostly affects the joint of the large toe but can also cause inflammation in your knees, ankles and feet, and less commonly in the joints in your upper limbs. High uric acid can also cause kidney stones.

Rooibos tea is healthy for your cardiovascular system. Studies show that ingesting just a couple cups of Rooibos tea daily will actually reduce your risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease. This is again due to its high antioxidant, phenolic compound and flavanoid content. It was shown to significantly reduce lipid peroxidation (where fats, cholesterol and cell membranes are damaged), reduce negative LDL cholesterol, and reduce triglyceride levels. Rooibos also increases protective good HDL cholesterol. Overall, researchers concluded that Rooibos significantly reduced risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease.

Lastly, studies have also shown that Rooibos has a positive effect on your immune system. It increases immune modulators, which means if your immune system is too reactive, as in allergies and autoimmune disease, it will reduce its reactiveness. And in cases where your immune system is under functioning it elevates its responsiveness and activity warding off infections.

How do you use it?

Rooibos can be found in both green and red varieties, most commonly in its fermented red state.

There are various grades. Higher grades have less stem in it. The leaves, which look like fine red needles, are where the taste and health benefits reside. The needles are dark red which gives the liquid tea a dark rich flavor. Fewer stems in the tea results in less sediment and is described as less “dusty” in aftertaste. You want to look for a liquid tea that is dark, sweet and clear.

Studies show there are no side effects from drinking Rooibos tea so you can drink as much hot or iced Rooibos as you like. The larger the quantity of tea consumed, the greater the Antioxidants and other health benefits you will be getting.