Organic African Nectar is made primarily from rooibos, the so-called 'red tea' or ‘red bush’ of South Africa. Teeming with notes of tropical fruit and blossom, this rich and delicious herbal tisane blend makes an excellent aperitif or after-dinner drink.
Rooibos tea, also known as red tea, is unique in that it is grown mainly on the African continent and contains polyphenols such as aspalathin that are not found in any other foods. Rooibos means “red bush” in Afrikaans and references the rich, deep crimson of rooibos tea. The Aspalathus linearis plant is native to South Africa and like most teas, contains high levels of polyphenols that provide an array of health benefits.
Consumed in southern Africa for centuries, it has become a beloved beverage around the world. Rooibos tea is gaining popularity as a delicious and healthy drink. It’s a flavorful, caffeine-free alternative to black and green tea. What’s more, advocates praise rooibos for its potential health benefits, claiming that its antioxidants can protect against cancer, heart disease, and stroke. However, you may wonder if these benefits are supported by evidence. Learn more about what the research says about rooibos tea’s health benefits and potential side effects.
At The Spice and Tea Exchange®, we offer several blends of rooibos and even honeybush. A creamy blend of rooibos flavored with orange, vanilla, flowers, and citrus. A relative of rooibos, honeybush and rooibos share many similarities, though they are different plants with different flavor profiles.
Sweet and deep, the native South African tisane of rooibos is a delicious herbal treat that is loved for its earthy flavor, high antioxidant levels, and warming reddish-brown hue. One glance at a cup of this red bush tea and you instantly feel yourself glowing inside.In this piece, we delve deep into all the rooibos tea benefits so you can see exactly what this brew can do for you.
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Rooibos Plant
What is Rooibos Tea?
Rooibos tea is a herbal tea that comes from the Fabaceae plant family. This plant grows in South Africa and the leaves are taken and fermented to be turned into tea. Rooibos is part of a unique crop of flora found in an area of South Africa that sits north of Cape Town. The Cederberg Mountains. While this plant is still young compared to the Camellia Sinensis plant that has been flourishing for thousands of years, rooibos has earned quite the reputation in a relatively short span of years. It has been grown and brewed by farmers and bush people for hundreds of years and recently the world has taken notice.
The rooibos plant has long needle leaves and is harvested in a similar way to the black tea plant. During harvest time the stems and leaves are cut and bound together into bundles which are to be oxidized. Oxidation is what helps the tea get that delicious deep red coloring and the redder it gets, the richer and sweeter the taste of the tea becomes. While this is how you make the red bush version of the tea, there is also green rooibos which is similar to green tea.
Rooibos is loved for its taste and the fact that it makes a great alternative to those more caffeine-centric teas. As Rooibos is herbal, it also brings a bounty of health benefits to the table too. The taste of rooibos is earthy, slightly sweet, and swirled with the taste of nuts, caramel, and an almost smoky vanilla fragrance too. Being low in tannins, free from caffeine, and loaded with antioxidants puts rooibos tea on the top shelf in terms of its amazing health benefits. This tea is full of powerful ingredients that include a high dose mix of vitamins, minerals, and all those polyphenols you need to keep you on your feet.
Rooibos is a shrub with needle-like leaves exclusively grown in the mountainous Cederberg region in the Western Cape of South Africa. Rooibos carries a geographical indication, meaning for it to be called rooibos - it must be grown in this region.
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After harvesting, rooibos goes through several processing steps, including an oxidation process that turns it from its raw green color to the familiar fiery red and orange. It’s then dried for a certain length of time in the sun before being sorted and packaged. While “red” rooibos is traditional and more common, green rooibos is also available. In its processing, the oxidation stage is avoided by applying heat to the fresh leaves in order to retain its light green color (and grassy, slightly mineral flavor). And while [traditional red] rooibos blends great with milk, green rooibos is best enjoyed straight.
So what's a tea drinker to look for in a good cup of rooibos? Primarily "honey," "woody," "spicy," and "caramel." While rooibos is a botanical, its chemical make-up includes polyphenols, which provides a tannic-like structure (usually only attained with pure tea leaves), making it an ideal base for many herbal blends. These distinctions add layers of richness and complexity that is often reserved for specialty coffee drinks and craft cocktails.
Here is a summary table of the differences between Red and Green Rooibos:
| Feature | Red Rooibos | Green Rooibos |
|---|---|---|
| Oxidation | Oxidized | Unoxidized |
| Flavor | Sweet, creamy | Grassy, slightly mineral |
| Best Enjoyed | With milk | Straight |
| Color | Fiery red and orange | Light green |
Health Benefits of Organic African Nectar Tea
Rooibos tea is associated with health benefits due to its high levels of health-promoting antioxidants, which include aspalathin and quercetin. Research has found that antioxidants may help reduce your risk of certain chronic conditions, such as heart disease and cancer. Rooibos is also known to be high in antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. Honeybush is known to be high in antioxidants, minerals and vitamins, similar to rooibos.
Here are some of the key health benefits associated with Organic African Nectar Tea:
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1. Rich in Antioxidants
So many teas come loaded up with powerful antioxidants and rooibos doesn’t disappoint. This herbal remedy is ripe with a range of antioxidants including three of the most powerful kinds. Polyphenols are powerhouses when it comes to fighting free radicals, reducing infection, and giving the immune system a much-needed boost. Aspalathin is all about balancing out your glucose levels, and quercetin can keep your heart ticking and help bring down your blood pressure. The holy trinity of antioxidants are all found in a humble cup of tea.
In other words, antioxidants have the ability to act as a shield against oxidative stressors like air pollution, cigarette smoke, radiation from the sun, excessive blood sugar, and other factors that can cause cells to age more rapidly than usual.
There is some evidence that rooibos tea can increase antioxidant levels in your body. However, any increase documented has been small and may not last long.
2. Supports Heart Health
No matter which side of the age fence you are sitting on, keeping your heart beating strong and healthy is one of the most important things you can do for life longevity. As rooibos tea is rich in antioxidants and free from caffeine it can actively help to improve your heart health and reduce high blood pressure.
A 2021 review found that rooibos tea may have beneficial effects on inflammation by preventing the growth of angiotensin converting enzymes (ACEs). ACE indirectly increases blood pressure by causing your blood vessels to contract, which can lead to heart disease.
In 2011 a study was conducted where participants at risk from cardiovascular disease supped six cups of rooibos tea daily for 6 weeks. The results showed that at the end of the study, those who took part had lower LDL levels (the bad cholesterol) and had higher HDL levels (the good cholesterol).
Heart Health Benefits of Rooibos Tea
3. May Help Manage Diabetes
Want to bring your blood sugar level down? Get brewing up that pot of rooibos tea. For all those people out there who struggle with controlling their blood glucose thanks to type 2 diabetes, rooibos tea can lend a hand.
A 2023 review found that rooibos contains several minerals, especially flavonoids such as aspalathin, which may help to lower blood sugar levels. However, further research is still needed to understand the exact effects.
Animal studies came back with the link between rooibos and the antioxidant known as aspalathin. This antioxidant can help keep vascular inflammation down which can contribute to soaring blood sugar levels. More human studies may be needed but the evidence is looking good for rooibos helping to kick high blood sugar into touch. making it a great diabetic tea choice.
4. Potential Anti-Cancer Properties
As rooibos tea comes laced with antioxidants and polyphenols some research has shown that drinking this tea may lower your risk of cancer.
Some research suggests that the antioxidants present in rooibos tea may help prevent cancer cell growth. In fact, a 2020 test-tube study on advanced prostate cancer found that green rooibos tea may reduce the migration and invasion of cancer cells. However, it’s unclear whether rooibos packs enough antioxidants and whether they’re absorbed efficiently enough by your body to provide long-term benefits. Therefore, more studies in humans are still needed to understand the benefits of rooibos for cancer.
Antioxidants help to fend off free radicals which are notorious for causing cell damage and contributing to the risk of cancer. Test tubes studies have shown that the antioxidants that are present in rooibos tea (namely quercetin and luteolin) can actively kill cancer cells and help to prevent tumor growth.
5. Aids in Healthy Digestion
Healthy digestion can be tricky business, especially in the modern world when there is so much that can interfere with our systems. Luckily, rooibos tea can help ease digestive problems and will do so with minimal to zero side effects.
The compounds stashed within rooibos tea such as quercetin, vitexin, and orientin can all lend a hand to help ease and relax the digestive system while the gentle tannin count in rooibos can also get to work on preventing diarrhea.
6. Promotes Healthy Skin
While black tea masks and green tea mists can totally be a part of a natural beauty routine, sipping rooibos tea can also ring a golden glow and flush of health to your skin. Because rooibos contains alpha hydroxy acid it can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Drinking rooibos promotes heart health, weight management, and can support healthy skincare regimens when applied topically to the skin after steeping.
Rooibos tea offers a soothing effect, thereby reducing irritation and redness resulting in more even-toned skin. Rooibos tea also contains zinc, which has shown potential to help treat common skin conditions such as eczema and acne.
Rooibos Tea and Skin Health
7. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
From smooth skin to shiny hair and reduced risk of infection, there is so much to celebrate when it comes to anything with anti-inflammatory properties. Rooibos hits high marks on the anti-inflammatory count with this lush deep red tea coming chocked with microscopic antioxidants and polyphenols that are ripe with anti-inflammatory goodness. Because of this impressive ingredients list, you can cut through everything from adult allergies to colic in babies.
8. Boosts Immune System
A feel-good tonic loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and so much more - those who feel their immune system needs a solid boost should make sipping rooibos tea part of their daily routine. When our immune system is riding high we are less likely to suffer from seasonal sickness like the cold and flu and our body is so much better equipped to fend off long term ailments too.
9. Weight Management
If you are on a journey towards healthier weight management, drinking rooibos tea is a low-risk way of helping to fend off unwanted obesity. First of all, rooibos is low in calories and naturally sweet meaning that it can satiate that sweet tooth without loading you up with excess calories. But the research done into rooibos also points to its ability to reduce stress hormones which can stir up hunger pangs and encourage the body to store fat.
10. Source of Vitamins and Minerals
There is so much goodness in a single cup of rooibos tea! Not only do you get all these direct health benefits but you can also use rooibos to top up your vitamin and mineral intake. Rooibos is brimming with vitamin C which is one of those essential vitamins for fending off colds and flu and all kinds of nasty viruses as this vitamin boosts your immune system. Rooibos also contains low levels of tannins which is great news for all those people out there with low iron levels as tannins are known to interfere with the body’s ability to absorb iron.
11. Naturally Caffeine-Free
Being naturally caffeine-free makes red rooibos tea great for those who are wanting to swerve the side effects of caffeine. Some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others and drinking caffeinated teas can leave them feeling jittery. As rooibos doesn’t come with any caffeine, it means you can happily sip any time of day. Called “rooiboshtee” or “rooibostee” after the red bush from which it hails in South Africa, rooibos tea leaves contain no caffeine. This is good news for tea drinkers who are sensitive to the natural stimulant; without it, a rooibos lover can enjoy several cups without fear of caffeine’s side effects.
How to Brew Organic African Nectar Tea
Now you know why rooibos tea is such a delicious treat for the body, it’s time to learn how to brew the perfect cup. We love that rooibos is such a low-fuss drink and all it takes is a little hot water, a pinch of tea, and maybe some beautiful raw honey to sweeten the mix. Rooibos also makes an amazing iced tea too so be sure to add it to your summer drink list.
For best flavor, bring spring or freshly drawn filtered water to a boil (212 degrees). Steep 1 sachet or scant 2 tsp (3 g) loose leaf for five minutes.
Rooibos tea can be consumed cold for a refreshing break during the summertime heat, or as a piping hot drink to warm up when you're feeling under the weather or heading in from the cold. If you are using a rooibos tea bag, simply brew according to the directions. If you are brewing loose leaf rooibos tea, aim for one heaping tablespoon of leaves for every 8 ounces of water.
Rooibos tea is best enjoyed using pure or filtered water. Make sure not to use distilled water when brewing tea because it does not allow the flavors to develop properly. Rooibos tea should be steeped for at least 4 to 5 minutes although some brands recommend steeping up to 10 minutes for greater antioxidant development.
Potential Side Effects and Precautions
While rooibos tea is dreamy, delicious, and mostly super safe for all to enjoy, it can come with a few side effects for certain people who consume large amounts of this tea. So who should not drink rooibos tea? Rooibos has been linked to estrogen activity so if this is something that may concern you, it could be worth checking in with your medical professional first. It’s also worth noting that the high antioxidant activity in rooibos tea could also interfere with certain medications so again, check with your doctor to make sure you can kick back with your rooibos tea without the worry.
In general, rooibos is very safe and is not associated with any serious side effects. Therefore, enjoying rooibos tea in moderation as part of a balanced diet is unlikely to cause issues for most people. However, studies have shown that consuming rooibos tea may lead to liver toxicity in very rare cases. If you have a health condition that affects your liver, such as hepatitis, consider avoiding this beverage. A healthcare professional can help you determine if it is safe for you to consume.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is rooibos tea good for you? Even just a cup of rooibos is rich in health benefits.
- Can babies drink rooibos tea? From six months onwards and while weaning or after weaning, rooibos is safe for small ones to consume.
- Is rooibos tea caffeine free? Not at all! For those who are wanting a tea that comes with all the benefits of being caffeine-free, rooibos has got your back.
- Is rooibos tea good for pregnancy? Yes! Rooibos tea is a great drink during pregnancy providing you don’t fall into one of the categories above of people who should check first before brewing up rooibos.
Red bush tea is an incredible brew in so many ways. What are your thoughts on the fabulous benefits of rooibos tea? Do you love sipping this South African tea or do you prefer other tea types instead?
Medical Disclaimer: While we have delved into the research available on the health benefits of these teas, this is for informative purposes only and shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. Those who have any health-related queries should reach out to a medical professional. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
