What Are The Benefits Of Rooibos Tea?
Rooibos Tea Benefits
This article discusses the benefits and advantages of a special type of tea, Rooibos tea.
Rooibos tea is also known as bush tea, redbush tea, South African red tea or simply red tea.
(This article was written by Kim)
What Is Rooibos Tea?
Rooibos tea is a herbal tea, prepared from leaves of Rooibos (Asplalathus linearis), which is a broom-like member of the legume family of plants.
Generally, the leaves are oxidised, a process similar to green tea processing. This process produces the distinctive reddish-brown colour of rooibos and enhances the flavour.
Rooibos tea is a cultural and historical heritage of South Africa, and it has been used by South Africans for centuries.
This is because, this plant is grown only in a small area in the Cederberg region of the Western Cape Province in South Africa.
However, despite its limited cultivation, rooibos tea is becoming increasingly popular throughout the world and especially, in the west.
Major Benefits
Rooibos tea is taken with sugar and milk in South Africa. However, in other areas of the world, it is used without milk and sugar because the tea itself provides a sweet and slightly nutty flavour.
Therefore, one of the best benefits is its versatile use. It can be drunk hot or cold, with or without sugar/milk, blended with lemon or fruit juices.
It can also substitute the liquid contents in recipes for soups, sauces, marinades and is used in cooking and baking as well.
This tea is fast becoming popular in the west, especially among health-conscious consumers. The following are some of its major benefits:
A. Rooibos Tea Health Benefits
Rooibos tea contains calcium, manganese and fluoride which helps build strong teeth and bones and prevent tooth decay.
When added with milk, rooibos tea can cure infants suffering from colic, sleeping problems or stomach cramps.
It is interesting to note that rooibos tea contains a similar amount of polyphenols as found in green tea and has been shown to be anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic and anti-viral.
B. Rooibos Tea & Sleep
Due to the complete absence of caffeine, rooibos tea has a relaxing effect on the central nervous system. It has been found to help with insomnia, disturbed sleep patterns and headaches.
It is often prescribed for nervous tension and mild depression as it makes a relaxing sedative, therefore drinking rooibos tea before going to bed ensures healthy sleep.
C. Rooibos Tea Digestive Benefits
Rooibos tea contains a range of essential vitamins and minerals and is tested to be an effective natural remedy for stomach and indigestive problems such as nausea, heartburn, stomach ulcers and constipation.
Moreover, it is highly recommended for all types of vomiting and can help relieve mild to severe vomiting problems.
D. Rooibos Tea Thirst and Sports Benefits
Rooibos tea is rich in mineral content such as iron, potassium, zinc, magnesium and sodium.
This mineral composition effectively makes rooibos a great thirst-quencher and sports drink, and quickly restores the body’s equilibrium after strenuous exercise.
E. Rooibos Tea Skin Care Benefits
Alpha-hydroxyl acid and zinc are two important elements which help keep the skin free of acne, rashes, sunburns, eczema and other skin irritations.
Both elements are found in rooibos, and thus drinking this tea can significantly reduce these skin problems.
Applying a rooibos face pack (the preparation method is described below) once or twice a week can make the skin clear and radiant, and can be used to treat a wide range of acne and eczema problems.
F. Rooibos Tea Aging Benefits
A study conducted by Japanese scientists, has found that rooibos tea contains a mimic of the enzyme Super Oxide Dismutase.
SOD is an antioxidant, which attacks the free-radicals (free radicals are produced as a by-product of normal cell function and cause our body to age quickly) and limits their damaging effects.
Thus drinking rooibos tea helps delay the aging process significantly.
How To Prepare Rooibos Tea
1. Fill a kettle with water and bring to a boil.
2. Use one tea bag /one teaspoon of tealeaves for one cup.
3. Pour the hot steaming water over the tea bag/tealeaves in your mug.
4. Let the tea steep for minimum five to ten minutes (Rooibos should be steeped or brewed for a minimum of 5 minutes to release the flavour and the valuable minerals and antioxidants).
5. Strain (if using tealeaves) and add sugar to taste, if required.
How To Prepare Rooibos Face pack
Ingredients: 50ml strong rooibos tea, 5ml apple cedar vinegar and 30ml flour.
Method
1. Mix the ingredients and let it cool down to lukewarm.
2. Apply on the face.
3. Keep mixture on for minimum 6-7 minutes.
4. Wash off with rooibos tea.
5. Rinsing with water is not required as rooibos will not stain the skin.
This face pack can also be used for neck and back acne treatment.
(This article was written by Kim)
