Rooibos -- meaning red bush -- is harvested from the leaves and twigs of the South African plant. Both red and green rooibos make hearty beverages, though the green version, which is made from unfermented rooibos, has a milder taste and contains higher levels of antioxidants, which give it greater health benefits. For most adults, green tea is safe in moderate amounts, though the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine recommends that you talk to a doctor before using it as a complementary therapy, particularly while using medications.
Antispasmodic Benefits
Green rooibos tea is purported to have antispasmodic properties, meaning it is able to calm intestinal spasms and ease digestive upset. People who experience nausea, stomach ulcers, nausea or heartburn may benefit from sipping the tea. By mixing the tea with milk, South African mothers of colicky babies are said to calm their cranky babies with the brew.
Ant-Inflammatory Benefits
Due to its high content of flavanoids, green rooibos tea is commonly used to treat respiratory disorders. The flavonoids have selective bronchodilator effects and help to reduce inflammation. People who require medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may find the tea is a healthy alternative for relieving inflammation caused by asthma and other chronic conditions, though scientific evidence is not available to prove these effects.
Disease Prevention Benefits
As a satiated source of polyphenolic antioxidants, green rooibos tea is purported to protect against disease by helping counteract the damage caused by free radicals. According to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the protective effects of these compounds may also extend to the skin, which explains why pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies are creating skin care products with green tea extracts.
References
- Vegetarianism & Vegetarian Nutrition: Red Bush Tea: It's Hot African Rooibos Tea - Health Benefits
- The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Green Tea
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham: Green Tea Polyphenolic Antioxidants and Skin Photoprotection
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