The Red Bush Tea Revolution: Exploring the Many Health Benefits of Rooibos

Rooibos, also known as "red bush" tea, is a popular herbal beverage native to South Africa. Not only does it have a distinct taste, but it also boasts a plethora of health benefits. From reducing inflammation to improving digestion and heart health, rooibos has become a staple in many health-conscious individuals' diets. In this article, we will delve deeper into the many health benefits of rooibos, as well as some interesting facts about its history and production. So, grab a cup of rooibos tea and read on to learn more about this fascinating and beneficial beverage.

How do you Pronounce Rooibos?

Rooibos, pronounced ROY-BOSS is a traditional South African drink. It doesn’t come from the Camellia sinensis plant and therefore is not a tea but can be described as a tisane or an infusion.

Rooibos is growing in popularity due to it’s wonderful taste, health benefits and it’s ability to be paired with so many other herbs and flavours to create a vast array of tasty herbal blends.

When was Rooibos Tea Discovered?

Records show that rooibos was commercially produced in 1904, however some documents show that rooibos was enjoyed as far back as 1772.

What is the Difference Between Rooibos, Red Bush and Honeybush Tea?

Rooibos, Aspalathus linearis, is also known as red tea, red bush tea and South African tea. Rooibos means red bush in Afrikaan as it produces a beautiful red hue when the fermented (oxidised) leaves are brewed. Unfermented (not oxidised) leaves produces a green hue when the leaves are brewed.

Honeybush, on the other hand, is not rooibos but it is closely related. Both plants belong to the same plant family, the Fabaceae family.

Confusingly, in China, black tea is known as 'red tea’. When black tea is brewed it actually produces more of a red hue than a black hue, hence the name ‘red tea’.

Is Drinking Rooibos Safe During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy brings a lot of uncertainty and there seems to be more don’ts than do’s when you are expecting. Drinking tea and coffee is one of those things that has everyone wondering if it’s really ok.

Pregnant women are advised to cut their caffeine intake by half and while tea, from the Camellia sinesis plant, contains caffeine, rooibos is naturally caffeine free.

The American Pregnancy Association states that most commercial brands of herbal teas are thought to be safe during pregnancy if consumed in reasonable amounts (no more than 1-2 cups per day). It is always best to consult your healthcare provider when using herbal teas and supplements. Also note that some herbal rooibos blends contain other ingredients that may not be ok for use when pregnant and when breast feeding.

Some studies show that rooibos may be beneficial for pregnant women. South African women have been drinking rooibos while pregnant for centuries for it’s prenatal health boosting benefits. These benefits include aiding digestion (which can be a bit of an issue when pregnant), and containing essential vitamins and high amounts of antioxidants.

Read My Favourite Tea Tips for Pregnancy

What Does Rooibos Tea Taste Like?

Although rooibos is often compared to black tea, the taste is very different and unique to all other teas.

The taste of rooibos is delicately nutty with a subtle honey-like sweetness. However, rooibos is strong enough to withstand the addition of milk. Most herbal infusions are best without milk. Uniquely, rooibos can be enjoyed with or without milk.

Rooibos is a fantastic tea to use as a base for flavourful blends. Many ingredients such as chocolate, vanilla and cinnamon can all work well with rooibos. Adding chocolate is my favourite, I love chocolate rooibos with a dash of almond milk as a hot chocolate alternative.

How to Make a cup of Rooibos Tea

Brewing rooibos is really simple as it can be prepared in a similar way to black tea by using freshly boiled water. Although the recommended steeping time for rooibos is slightly longer, 5-10 minutes is optimal.

If using loose leaf rooibos, 1 heaped teaspoon of loose leaf per 8fl oz of freshly boiled water should be just right to make the perfect cuppa.

You can either drink rooibos as it is or add milk and sugar or honey for some extra subsistence. Many people enjoy this naturally caffeine free tea before bedtime.

Rooibos can also be enjoyed iced. To brewed iced rooibos tea, use double the tea and allow to steep for 5-10 minutes. Add sugar or honey whilst the tea is still hot and then pour over a large glass of ice. Alternatively, cold brewed rooibos is easy to prepare by steeping the leaves in cold water overnight. To add sweetness to cold brewed iced tea, use a splash of simple syrup to taste.

What are the Health Benefits of Rooibos Tea?

Rooibos is packed full of caffeine free goodness. Rooibos contains high amounts of antioxidants which can aid in boosting immunity, provide relief from allergies, support digestion, soothe problem skin, relieve stress and help maintain a healthy weight. There are also studies that show that rooibos can be used as a natural pain killer.

The polyphenols (the antioxidants) in rooibos include flavanols, flavones, flavanones and aspalathin.

Flavanols are known for keeping a healthy immune system and healthy cardiovascular system, helping us stay fit and active.

Flavones have an anti inflammatory effect on the body and help fight free radicals that can cause oxidative stress, keeping us healthy and youthful.

Aspalatahin is the primary flavonoid in rooibos and it is a powerful antioxidant that can protect the body from disease, helping us live a longer and stronger.

What Does Rooibos Tea do to Your Face and Skin?

Rooibos contains anti-inflammatory properties known as quercetin. Quercetin, which is a flavonoid, is highly beneficial to those with eczema and allergies.

Rooibos is high in antioxidants which can aid in slowing down the aging process and help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. The antioxidants found in rooibos help fight free radicals. Free radicals are responsible for the damage and speeding up the aging process of our bodies. Over time, the body loses its ability to fight free radicals which causes oxidative stress and more damage to cells, causing the body to age.

Rooibos contains alpha hydroxy acid and zinc. These are also known to aid in the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles. Artificial alpha hydroxy acid is also found in some cosmetic chemical peels.

How do you Apply Rooibos Tea to Your Skin?

Aside from drinking rooibos, you can also apply it topically or as a bath soak. It can be used to soothe the skin, fight acne, reduce inflammation and aid in the relief of sunburn.

Is Rooibos Tea Good for the Immune System?

Quercetin is found naturally in rooibos and is known for its anti-allergenic properties. Quercetin is highly beneficial to allergy sufferers such as those with hay fever and eczema. It cleverly works as a natural anti-histamine.

Rooibos contains anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties. These properties can help aid in the relief of itchy and inflamed skin either by drinking or by applying topically.

Can Rooibos Help you Lose Weight?

Just like tea, rooibos can help maintain a healthy weight. The polyphenols in rooibos support metabolic health. Studies show that drinking rooibos can increase leptin secretion, the wonderful satiety hormone that tell us when we are full. There are further studies that suggest that rooibos may even prevent new fat cells from forming and speed up the rate in which existing fat cells are metabolised.

Is Rooibos Tea Good for Digestion?

Rooibos has been used as a digestive aid for centuries.

Rooibos contains anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe the digestive tract especially if suffering from constipation or from diarrhea. Reports show that rooibos can aid in the relief of acid reflux, bloating and even embarrassingly uncomfortable wind!

What are the Side Effects of Rooibos?

As with all herbs, there can be both positive and negative effects. Some herbs may have positive effects for some individuals and negative effects for others. Everybody will have their own unique experiences with tea, herbal teas and herbal remedies. Whilst rooibos has many health benefits, it can come with some warnings.

Rooibos is known to react with medical treatments such as chemotherapy. It’s all down to the compounds found in rooibos that could react to medications such as chemotherapy.

Once rooibos has been processed into tea, it no longer contains high amounts of oxalic acid (vitamin c) and therefore is a good tea substitute for those that have or those that are susceptible to kidney stones. However, research has shown that rooibos may be harmful for people with kidney and liver disease.

Another concern is that that rooibos could affect those with hormones related and reproductive issues, such as male fertility and low sperm count.

Does Rooibos Tea Make you Sleepy?

Some people report that rooibos can make you sleepy. I couldn’t find any research on this topic. However, rooibos is a calming herbal infusion that may help you feel relaxed before bedtime.