The unique Rooibos is native to the arid, hilly region of the Cedarburg Mountains of South Africa. Pronounced Roy-Boss, it means “Red Bush” in African. It is also known as Red Tea. It was first used as a healing beverage hundreds of years ago by the indigenous peoples who would pick the fine, needle-like leaves and stems from the plant Aspalanthus linearis, break them with wooden hammers, ferment them in small heaps and then dry them in the sun. 

Rooibos became a cultivated crop in the early 1930s, has been grown commercially since World War II and 29 percent of total production is now exported to 31 countries worldwide. The small towns of Clanwilliam and Wupperthal, north of Cape Town, have a long history of Rooibos cultivation and are popular tourist destinations because of their beautiful rural scenery and their role in the Rooibos industry. 

Rooibos seeds are planted in February and March; the plants are tended for 18 months and harvested. Cut Rooibos is bound and milled to a uniform length, then bruised between rollers to trigger the fermentation process resulting in the characteristic flavour and sweet aroma. In response to the increasing interest in health benefits associated with antioxidants, an unfermented Rooibos, named Green Rooibos, was developed to maximize antioxidant levels, some of which are lost during the fermentation process,

Rooibos is an herb that contains no caffeine and 50% more antioxidants than green tea, as well as less tannin content. It helps to replace essential electrolytes lost during strenuous exercise and is also very low in oxalic acid; therefore, it does not promote kidney stones. Today, South African physicians recommend Rooibos for infant colic and to calm upset stomach in adults and to help induce sound sleep. Topically, Rooibos is recommended to soothe dermatits and diaper rash.

Antioxidant Properties

• Flavonoids: Rooibos tea has exceptionally high amounts of antioxidants called flavonoids. Flavonoids, particularly quercetin and rutin, have been shown in separate studies to have anti-inflammatory properties and help reduce histamine release and the allergic response. 

• Polyphenols: The types of polyphenols (antioxidants) found in Rooibos differ from those found in black and green teas. Green tea must be very carefully brewed and consumed in large quantities to receive significant levels of antioxidants.

Caffeine-free

Rooibos tea is naturally caffeine-free.

Phenolic Carboxylic Acids

The presence of phenolic carboxylic acids (such as alphahydroxy acid) may be the reason Rooibos helps improve skin condition. It can be applied topically (just brew the tea and apply) and has also been shown to improve skin conditions when taken internally.  

Tannins

Rooibos tea is very low in tannins. Iron absorption in the body is reduced by as much as one-third in tea drinkers because of tannins, an active ingredient in black, chamomile and green teas. 

Adapted from Rooibos Revolution, Recipes for Nature's Healing Tea, Sally Errey, 2005.

If you would like more information about Rooibos, please visit the American Botanical Society.