Immortalized by the main character of the internationally acclaimed "Number One Ladies Detective Agency" book series, African red bush tea, known as rooibos--pronounced "roy-boss"--is fast becoming a favorite tea of Americans. Research points to various health benefits associated with drinking rooibos tea, although more clinical studies are needed.
History
Indigenous to a mountainous area near Cape Town, South Africa, the red bush, or rooibos, is a flowering shrub that was first recorded by botanists in 1772, according to the American Botanical Council. Traditionally, rooibos was believed to relieve colic in babies, and relieve asthma, allergies and skin problems, says a National Institutes of Health website.
Types
Two types of rooibos are used for human consumption and in scientific research. Both varieties come from the same shrub, with the difference coming from how the leaves and stems are processed. Whereas the rooibos with the warm, orange color comes from the fermented herbs, the green rooibos tea is made with un-fermented leaves and stems. According to the South African Rooibos Council, green rooibos has a taste similar to Asian green tea and contains more antioxidants than its more common, fermented counterpart.
Benefits
In an effort to expand the marketing capabilities of rooibos tea for the South African economy, many studies have been done to determine the health benefits of the herb. In a case study handbook on emerging markets published by Cornell University, author Norbert L.W. Wilson claims that rooibos tea has more than 40 antioxidant properties in the form of polyphenals compounds and flavanoids. Quercitin is one of those flavanoids, which is also a natural anti-histamine. Additionally, rooibos tea acts as a building block of sorts in the creation of the master antioxidant, glutathione, which can only be made within the body systems. According to a 2009 study conducted in cooperation with the University of Glasgow in Scotland, the San Camillo Forlanini Hospital in Rome, and The Institute of Nutrition in Rome found that both the green and regular varieties of rooibos tea provided a significant increase in blood antioxidant capacity for humans.
Alternative Uses
Cook with rooibos tea as a vegetarian and vegan replacement for chicken or beef broths. The juices of the rooibos herbs can also be used as a main ingredient in meat marinades. Rooibos lattes provide a caffeine-free option and is offered at some popular coffee houses.
Considerations
Black tea and traditional Asian green tea have antioxidant activities similar to rooibos tea. In a 2005 study conducted by the Potchefstroom Institute of Nutrition at North-West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa, black tea was compared with rooibos tea for their sources of iron and iron enhancing properties in school-age children at risk for iron deficiency. The black tea produced significantly higher hemoglobin concentrations in the children. Both teas encouraged total iron-binding capacity. No negative side-effects have been attributed to drinking rooibos tea according to the South African Rooibos Council.
References
- Rooibos Council: Did You Know?
- American Botanical Council: Rooibos Tea-Research into Antioxidant and Antimutagenic Properties
- Pub Med: South African herbal teas: Aspalathus linearis, Cyclopia spp. and Athrixia phylicoides--A Review
- Rooibos Council: Green Rooibos
- Market Matters Inc: Cape Natural Tea Products and the U.S. Market
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