The leaves and stems of rooibos -- also known as red bush -- a shrub-like plant native to South Africa, make a popular and flavorful tea that has a variety of health-boosting properties. Research into its antioxidants and other active chemical constituents of rooibos have revealed protective and curative properties for a wide range of conditions.
Infection
Flavonoids in rooibos tea promote the production of antibodies that may be valuable in the treatment of cancer, allergies, AIDS and other diseases, according to a Japanese study published in the October 2001 "Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry." Rooibos contains large amounts of flavonoids -- compounds with substantial antioxidant ability. Moreover, the flavonoids in rooibos tea induce the immune system to produce antibodies with specificity to particular toxins and infectious substances, in part by stimulating the production of interleukin-2, a signaling molecule that helps the immune system identify and respond to infections.
Cancer
Rooibos demonstrated significant anticancer properties against fumonisin B1 -- a known carcinogen -- in a South African study on rats published in the 2009 "Food and Chemical Toxicology." Rooibos significantly decreased liver damage caused by the carcinogen and reduced the number of both small and large cancerous cell clusters. The study also compared the effects of unfermented to fermented rooibos and concluded that the unfermented form was more effective.
Cardiovascular
Fermented rooibos showed significant cardiovascular benefits via improved antioxidant status and reduced oxidative damage to cholesterol in the blood, in a South African study reported in the September 2010 "Journal of Ethnopharmacology." Volunteers drank 6 cups of rooibos tea per day for six weeks, after which their blood was tested and found to have increased levels of polyphenols and glutathione, both types of antioxidants, and decreased levels of oxidized lipid molecules. Additionally, HDL -- the good cholesterol -- was boosted by the fermented form of the tea.
Muscle Relaxant
Calming effects on the muscles of the circulatory system, digestive system and respiratory system make rooibos a useful herb for treatment of high blood pressure, intestinal disorders and asthma, according to a Pakistani study on animal tissue cultures of published in the December 2006 "European Journal of Nutrition." Rooibos tea decreased muscle contractions in all areas tested, with the greatest effect occurring in the respiratory system. Chrysoeriol, a component of rooibos, known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antimicrobial, antiviral and free radical-scavenging activities, demonstrated specific bronchodilating ability in the study.
References
- "Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry": Effects of Rooibos Tea Extract on Antigen-Specific Antibody Production and Cytokine Generation in Vitro and in Vivo
- PubMed: Chemoprotective Properties of Rooibos (Aspalathus Linearis), Honeybush (Cyclopia Intermedia) Herbal and Green and Black (Camellia Sinensis) Teas Against Cancer Promotion Induced by Fumonisin B1 in Rat Liver
- PubMed: Effects of Rooibos (Aspalathus Linearis) on Oxidative Stress and Biochemical Parameters in Adults at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
- PubMed: Selective Bronchodilatory Effect of Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus Linearis) and its Flavonoid, Chrysoeriol
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