South Africans have consumed rooibos tea for hundreds of years. According to The Tea Muse, the native Khosian tribe gave the tea its name, which means "red bush," and Dutch settlers of South Africa chose to drink it because it was cheaper than importing team from China or India. Holistic health counselors have recommended rooibos tea for its medicinal properties, as it is an antioxidant and a source of calcium, potassium and magnesium.
Eliminates Free Radicals
Natural Health Remedies and the University of California, San Diego report that rooibos tea contains polyphenol. This is a natural antioxidant, which is important to preventing tissue inflammation and mutated cells. Oxygen is the fuel for the body's cells. When not contained in a cell and allowed to float freely through the body, they become rogue particles, or free radicals. Antioxidants absorb these free-floating particles and prevent healthy cells from being modified.
Offsets Hypoglycemia
The green variety of rooibos has aspalathin, a compound which in laboratory tests is shown to assist in the synthesis of glucose, preventing the effects of hypoglycemia. Researchers at the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology examined the use of aspalathin on blood glucose levels in mice. The results showed that the compound "suppressed the increase in fasting blood glucose levels for five weeks." This led the study to report that aspalathin has a beneficial effect on the body's absorption of sugar.
Immunity Control
South African scientists at The University of the Western Cape examined the impact of rooibos on the body's immune system. Rooibos was added to blood cultures to examine biomarkers for inflammation, and humoral and cell immunity. The study concluded that rooibos could maintain immune functions in lab tests. This could be particularly useful in individuals with weak or vulnerable immune systems.
Reduces Wrinkles
While the effects of rooibos are generally associated with its use in beverage form, a 2010 article in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science examined its effect as a skin treatment. Anti-wrinkle agents created with herbs were used for a 28-day period by study participants. The rooibos formula was the most effective in reducing wrinkles, lessening wrinkles by 9.9 percent when compared to other applications.
References
- University of California, San Diego Health Library: Rooibos
- Natural Health Remedies: 7 Health Benefits of Rooibos Tea
- "Phytomedicine"; Hypoglycemic effect of aspalathin...; A Kawano et al; May 16 2009.
- "Journal of Immunoassay and Immunochemistry"; The in vitro effects of Rooibos...; R Hendricks, et al; April 31, 2010.
- "International Journal of Cosmetic Science"; Clinical efficacy comparison...; P Chuarienthong; April 2010.
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