This delicious, aromatic red tea has been a favorite in South Africa for a long time, but its popularity in other countries is more recent. The green leaves of the Aspalathus Lenearis turn dark red after they are processed, so the shrub came to be called rooibos, the Afrikaans word meaning "red bush." In fact, another name for the beverage is red bush tea. Rooibos makes a tasty, beneficial, caffeine-free tea that has antioxidant properties. The taste is slightly sweet, and many people enjoy rooibos tea without adding sweeteners.
No Caffeine
There is no caffeine in rooibos tea. It can be consumed safely by people of all ages and at all times of day. With its soothing qualities, rooibos tea makes a fine evening beverage. Unlike black tea, rooibos does not contain tannins, which interfere with the absorption of iron.
Mineral Rich
Rooibos tea contains potassium, zinc, iron, sodium and manganese. Scott Reynolds, in a report for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, states that this mineral content makes rooibos tea an excellent sports drink. It helps restore the body after exercise.
Antioxidant
Rooibos tea is widely considered an excellent antioxidant. A 2008 study by the Oxidative Stress Research Centre in Capetown, South Africa, showed that rooibos shields the body from oxidative damage. According to another study by the Jutendo University School of Medicine, rooibos tea has abundant flavonoids. The flavonoids nothofagin and aspalathin, the main ones contained in rooibos tea, have strong antioxidative activity. The study concluded that rooibos tea shows promise as an anti-inflammatory.
Relaxing
According to the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, the high magnesium level in rooibos tea helps users adapt to stress. The strong concentration of the amino acid thiamine has a tranquilizing effect and can increase cognitive function. The same report states that rooibos tea safely helps irritability, insomnia, mild depression, hypertension and panic attacks.
Other Benefits
Fans of rooibos tea report that it helps digestion, strengthens teeth and bones, reduces allergies, relieves headaches, treats colic, soothes stomach cramps, is good for the skin and slows aging. Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence to confirm all of this; but preliminary studies indicate that many of these claims might be verified in the future.
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