Renowned for its reddish color (which varies with the degree of fermentation) and its vast array of traditional benefits, Redbush tea is one of Africas most widely known bush teas.
You may be asking, “What is this tea and what are some benefits of redbush tea“? and what ? The tea is rich in antioxidants, which help protect against oxidative stress.
Redbush tea is an African herbal tea made from the leaves of the Aspalathus linearis plant. The plant is native to the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa and is also known as known as Rooibos.
Proven Rooibos Tea Benefits
Researchers isolated several active plant components in Aspalathus linearis that may account for the benefits of redbush tea.
They include Flavonoids such as aspalathin, nothofagin, rutin, and orientin. These compounds are known to contribute to human health.
In this article, we will look at five of the natural compounds identified in rooibos that may contribute to heart health benefits of redbush tea. We will also briefly look at a few other benefits of redbush tea.
Redbush Tea Benefits For Heart
Based on modern research redbush tea may offer significant heart health benefits becuase the plant these beneficial Flavonoids:
- Aspalathin: This is almost exclusively found in the Aspalathus linearis plant. Studies found that Aspalathin has potent antioxidant properties which help protect cells from oxidative damage leading to potential benefits for the heart.
- Nothofagin: This is another unique flavonoid in redbush tea. One study reports that it inhibits glucose induced vascular inflammation which hinders the build up of plaque in the arteries.
- Rutin: It is thought that Rutin strengthens and increases the elasticity of blood vessels. These functions improve circulation, reduce the formation of blood clots and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
- Isoorientin: Isoorientin’s anti-inflammatory properties may indirectly support heart health by reducing inflammation. This is great for the heart because chronic inflammation contributes to cardiovascular diseases.
- Quercetin: This well-known flavonoid ha significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Some studies suggest that Quercetin in rebsuch tea may have positive effects on heart health by lowering blood pressure and improving cholesterol levels.
While these findings point to promising heart support benefits of redbush tea, they are based on limited data. Therefore, more exhaustive research is needed to establish a direct link between drinking redbush tea and heart health.
Folk Medicinal Uses
Traditional Uses: Redbush tea has been used as medicine by generations of Africans. Rooibos tea traditional medicinal uses1 andd benefits of redbush tea include alleviation of colic in infants, allergies, asthma and skin infections.
Did you notice that the proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may possibly be linked to the teas use for icommon health issues such as indigestion, high blood pressure and others?
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More Benefits of Redbush Tea
Let’s take a closer look at some other potential rooibos tea benefits:
In addition to cardiovascular health benefits, drinking redbush tea may provide there other benefits based on one human2 trial.
Digestive Health: Rooibos tea has been traditionally used to soothe digestive discomfort, and some research suggests it may help with conditions like indigestion and stomach ulcers.
Skin Health: Topical application of rooibos tea or its extracts has been associated with benefits for the skin, including relief from eczema and acne due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Bone Health: Preliminary research indicates that rooibos tea may support bone health by promoting the activity of osteoblasts, the cells responsible for bone formation.
Management of Diabetes: Some studies3 suggest that rooibos tea may help regulate blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, potentially offering benefits for individuals with diabetes.
Allergy Relief: Rooibos tea contains bioactive compounds that may help alleviate allergy symptoms by inhibiting the release of histamine in the body.
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How to Make Redbush Tea
How to prepare rooibos tea, steep one teaspoon of loose tea leaves or one tea bag in boiling water for 5-7 minutes. It can be enjoyed hot or cold and is often consumed plain.
Keep in mind that a number of factors will affect the results you get from the tea. For example, the method of preparation.
Boiling will extract more bioactive compounds from the tea leaves as opposed to steeping. The amount of leaves used, and even where they are harvested from may affect your tea.
In any case, the overall potential benefits of redbush tea is based on limited data mostly done in labs. A lot more clinical studies need to be done to verify the teas health benefits.
Rooibos Tea Side Effects
Of course there may be some side effects associated with consuming redbush tea. The tea is generally considered safe for most people when consumed in moderation.
However, some individuals may experience adverse reactions or side effects, such as gastrointestinal discomfort or allergic reactions.
Who should avoid Rooibos tea? Certain individuals, such as pregnant or breastfeeding women, persons with pre-existing medical conditions, or those taking prescribed medications, may need to avoid drinking redbush tea.
Therefore, it is important to talk with a qualified healthcare professional before incorporating any form of herbal treatments into your routine.
Summary
Redbush tea, also known as rooibos tea, is an herbal infusion made from the leaves of the Aspalathus linearis plant native to South Africa.
Unlike green tea, redbush tea is naturally caffeine free and has low levels of tannins. This contributes to its pleasant naturally sweet, earthy profile.
It’s naturally caffeine-free and rich in plant compounds many of which contribute to potential benefits including support for digestive health, diabetes management, heart health, and skin health.
However, further scientific research, including human clinical trials, is needed to fully understand how redbush tea works.
- Joubert E, Gelderblom WC, Louw A, de Beer D. South African herbal teas: Aspalathus linearis, Cyclopia spp. and Athrixia phylicoides–a review. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008;119(3):376-412. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2008.06.014 ↩︎
- Afrifa, Daniel et al. “The health benefits of rooibos tea in humans (aspalathus linearis)-a scoping review.” Journal of public health in Africa vol. 14,12 2784. 1 Dec. 2023, doi:10.4081/jphia.2023.2784 ↩︎
- Kawano, Atsutoshi et al. “Hypoglycemic effect of aspalathin, a rooibos tea component from Aspalathus linearis, in type 2 diabetic model db/db mice.” Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology vol. 16,5 (2009): 437-43. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2008.11.009 ↩︎
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