Honeybush tea is a naturally sweet, naturally caffeine-free herbal infusion brewed from fermented leaves, stems, and flowers of some cyclopia plants. Cyclopia, a shrub native exclusively to the fynbos biome of South Africa is a staple in Traditional African medicine.
If you’re wondering what makes this South African tea so special, let’s explore the key benefits of drinking Honeybush tea below:
Benefits of Honeybush Tea: Quick Summary
Looking for the highlights? Here is what you need to know about this South African herbal powerhouse:
- Origin & Nature: Honeybush is a naturally sweet, caffeine-free herbal tea native exclusively to South Africa.
- Historical Use: It comes from the Cyclopia plant and has been valued as an African traditional medicine for centuries.
- Antioxidant Power: Rich in potent antioxidants (like mangiferin), it helps fight cellular damage and may assist in reducing inflammation.
- Women’s & Skin Health: It contains phytoestrogens which may assist in easing menopausal symptoms and is used topically for its alleged soothing and anti-aging skin benefits.
- Digestive Comfort: It is exceptionally low in tannins, making it very gentle on the stomach and a soothing option for digestive issues, heartburn, and bloating.
- Safety Profile: Honeybush is considered extremely safe. Side effects are rare, but those managing hormone-sensitive conditions should consult a doctor due to the presence of phytoestrogens.
Ready to learn more? Continue reading to explore the full benefits and scientific details behind Honeybush, or brew a cup to experience the tea’s natural sweetness now!
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Naturally sweet with hints of apricot and honey, this caffeine-free tea is perfect hot or iced. Fair trade certified and organically grown, supporting South African farming communities while delivering antioxidant benefits in every cup.
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Honeybush Tea Benefits
What is Honeybush tea good for? Beyond making a delightful, naturally sweet taste, herbal tea the plant highly valued for being naturally rich in beneficial compounds with proven healing potential. Here are a few benefits in a cup:
- Pain Relief: Natural anti-inflammatory compounds such as Hesperidin1 in Honeybush tea can help calm inflammation throughout the body. This explains its traditional use for soothing stiff, aching joints.
- Menopausal Aid: consuming Honeybush tea may help relieve annoying Menopause symptoms such as those annoying hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings due to the presence of phytoestrogen2 in the rea.
- Better Breathing: Honeybush tea has been used for generations to relieve coughs and congestion as well as soothe irritated airways making breathing easier. This benefit may be due to the presence of pinitol3 which acts like a natural expectorant.
- Build Stronger Bones: Some studies suggest that phytoestrogens may help maintain better bone density4 over time. Therefore, incorporating the tea in your diet may help ward brittle bones and osteoporosis.
- Skin Rejuvinator: In one randomized study5 participants consumed fermented Cyclopia intermedia, (the plant used to make tea). They signigicant anti-aging benefits such as fewer wrinkles, and and clearer, younger looking skin.
How to Make Honeybush Tea
Here’s a simple honeybush tea recipe you can use at home:
Honey Bush Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of honeybush tea leaves (or 1 tea bag)
- 1 cup of boiling water
- Optional: honey, lemon, or cinnamon for extra flavor
Instructions
- Place the honeybush tea leaves or tea bag in a cup.
- Pour boiling water over the tea and let it steep for **5–10 minutes** (longer steeping enhances the flavor).
- Strain the leaves if using loose tea.
- Add honey, lemon, or cinnamon if desired.
- Enjoy warm, or let it cool and serve over ice for a refreshing iced tea!
Now that we uncovered some benefits of drinking honeybush tea, let’s see exactly what is honeybush:
What Is Honeybush?
Honeybush (Cyclopia species) is a flowering shrub native to the coastal mountains of South Africa’s Western and Eastern Cape provinces. It belongs to the Fabaceae family (legume family) and is closely related to rooibos. The plant gets its name from the sweet, honey-like scent of its bright yellow flowers. What is Honeybush good for?
Potential Health Benefits of Honeybush
According to current research the shrub is loaded with polyphenols, flavonoids, and essential minerals. Although research is in its infancy the potential health benefits of Honeybush tea are promising. So join us as we explore a few potential honey bush tea benefits.
Powerful Antioxidant & Anti-Inflammatory Support
Honeybush is packed with potent antioxidants, like mangiferin1 and hesperidin, which combat cellular damage caused by oxidative stress. Its anti-inflammatory effects are a key focus of current research, suggesting it may help mitigate inflammation linked to various chronic conditions such as arthritis
Natural Immune System Boost
Due to its naturally high content of antioxidants and flavonoids, regular consumption of Honeybush tea can offer a supportive boost to the immune system. Compounds such as copper and zinc found in the tea can help the body maintain its optimal defense performance.
Soothes Digestion & Supports Metabolism
Since Honeybush is low in tannins, the tea is gentle on the stomach, making it a soothing option if you’re dealing with: bloating, heartburn, mild nausea, or general digestive issues. Beyond that it is a caffeine-free, low-calorie tea making it a natural way to support energy balance, especially when managing weight during hormonal changes.
While it’s not a miracle drink for weight loss, drinking Honeybush tea daily might support healthy metabolism and energy levels, especially useful during hormone shifts when weight gain becomes easier.
Promising Support for Blood Sugar Management
Some preclinical (lab and animal) studies indicate that one benefit of drinking Honeybush tea may be its ability to assist in regulating blood sugar levels. While this finding sparks significant research interest, it is important to note that human studies on this benefit are still limited.
Supports Women’s Health & Skin Clarity
Early research suggests Honeybush contains phytoestrogenic properties6 , similar to human estrogen. The compound can mimic or modulate estrogen in the body and is often associated with benefits like easing menopausal symptoms. Honeybush increasingly used in topical skincare for its alleged soothing and anti-aging benefits.
Honeybush Properties
Honeybush tea contains several important beneficial compounds. These are just a few Honeybush properties that add to the the plants medicinal effects:
| Honeybush Properties | Honeybush Health Benefits |
|---|---|
| Mangiferin | This powerful antioxidant helps fight inflammation and oxidative stress, which can contribute to aging and chronic diseases. It’s also being studied for its potential to support heart health and regulate blood sugar levels. |
| Hesperidin | Known for its ability to improve blood circulation, hesperidin strengthens blood vessels and may help reduce inflammation. It’s also linked to potential benefits for brain health and immune function. |
| Pinitol | This compound acts as a natural expectorant, helping to clear mucus from the respiratory system. It’s often used to soothe coughs and may also play a role in regulating blood sugar levels. |
| Polyphenols | These plant-based antioxidants protect cells from damage caused by oxidative stress, which is linked to aging and various diseases. They may also support skin health and immune function. |
| Phytoestrogens | These plant-based compounds that mimic estrogen in the body, and honeybush tea contains them in the form of isoflavones and coumestans. These compounds can be particularly beneficial for hormonal balance, especially for individuals experiencing fluctuations due to menopause or other hormonal shifts. |
Types of Honeybush Plants
According to one source there are there are 4 or 5 species of cyclopia that can be used to make honeybush tea. The species are either cultivated or wildcrafted. The most commonly used species for making tea are:
- Cyclopia intermedia, known as ‘bergtee’ (mountain tea), found between Port Elizabeth and the edge of the Langkloof.
- Cyclopia genistoides, known as ‘kustee’ (coastal tea), found mostly in the Western Cape near Yzerfontein and Darling and also thriving in the South Cape if cultivated.
- Cyclopia maculata, grown in the Outeniqua area near George.
- Cyclopia sessiliflora, known as ‘Heidelberg-tee’, named after the town Heidelberg in South Africa, where it grows in the local mountain range.
- Cyclopia Subternata, known as ‘vleitee’ (marshland tea) or ‘valleitee’ (valley tea).
Source: Fact Sheet on Honeybush Tea
Where to Buy Honeybush
Although you may not find it in your local grocery store, here are a few online places you can buy honeybush tea.
Online marketplaces: Amazon, Etsy, and specialty tea websites like Cape Natural Tea Products offer authentic South African honeybush directly from producers.
Speciality tea shops: Dedicated tea retailers like Adagio Teas, Harney & Sons, and David’s Tea typically carry quality honeybush varieties. Here’s a customer favorite:
Top Rated Honeybush Tea Bags: Davidson’s Organics
- Naturally Sweet – No sugar needed! This South African honeybush tea has a smooth, honeyed taste, ideal for iced or hot brewing.
- Fair Trade & Organic – Ethically sourced, supporting farming communities and biodiversity.
- Caffeine-Free Bliss – A soothing evening drink that won’t disrupt sleep
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Honeybush Side Effects
Honeybush tea is generally considered safe for most people, and these side effects are relatively uncommon.
- Potential interference with iron absorption: The tannins in honeybush may reduce the body’s ability to absorb iron from plant-based foods when consumed together.
- Possible interactions with blood-thinning medications: Honeybush contains compounds that might enhance the effects of anticoagulants, potentially increasing bleeding risk.
- Temporary drop in blood pressure: Some people experience mild lightheadedness after drinking honeybush tea due to its natural compounds that can temporarily lower blood pressure.
- Digestive system sensitivity: Despite being generally gentle on the stomach, honeybush can occasionally cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort in sensitive individuals.
- Allergic reactions in certain individuals: Though rare, some people may experience contact dermatitis or respiratory symptoms if they have a specific sensitivity to plants in the Cyclopia family.
Important Note: Although the benefits of honeybush tea look promising, you should always check with your healthcare provider to make sure the tea is right for you.
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Becuase you are interested in the benefits of honeybush tea, you may like these other articles:
Is Honeybush the Same As Rooibos?
No. Honeybush tea is made from different species of the Cyclopia plant. However, Cyclopia is closely related Rooibos. However, honeybush tea is decribed as a milder sweeter version of rooibos tea.
Did You Know?
- Indigenous knowledge treasure – Honeybush tea has been harvested and consumed by indigenous South African peoples long before becoming commercially popular. The Khoi and San peoples recognized its medicinal properties long before Western science.
- Botanical name revelation – The genus name “Cyclopia” comes from Greek mythology, referring to the one-eyed giants called Cyclopes – ironically named because the plant’s flowers have a single opening at the bas
- Accidental discovery – The commercial potential of honeybush was partially discovered after wildfires swept through parts of South Africa’s fynbos region. Plants that regrew after burning produced more flavorful tea, leading to the modern harvesting practice of controlled burning!
- Night-blooming nectar – Many honeybush species release their distinctive honey-like fragrance primarily at night, attracting nocturnal pollinators like moths.
Final Thoughts
Honeybush tea is a versatile, healthy beverage, with a delightful taste and many potential health benefits. Portnetial benefits of honeyush tea come from the plants powerful antioxidants and anti-iinflammatory rich contituents.
According to various sources, honeybush properties all combine to contribute to the teas ability to help menopause symptoms, enhance skin health, support the immune system, and lower the risk of other serious diseases.
Honeybush naturally sweet profile makes it a delightful alternative to sugary drinks, which may help with weight managements and improve overall wellnes. So enjoy this delightful herbal tea hot or iced.
References
- Pyrzynska, Krystyna. “Hesperidin: A Review on Extraction Methods, Stability and Biological Activities.” Nutrients vol. 14,12 2387. 9 Jun. 2022, doi:10.3390/nu14122387 ↩︎
- Patisaul, Heather B, and Wendy Jefferson. “The pros and cons of phytoestrogens.” Frontiers in neuroendocrinology vol. 31,4 (2010): 400-19. doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2010.03.003 ↩︎
- Azab, Abdullatif. “D-Pinitol-Active Natural Product from Carob with Notable Insulin Regulation.” Nutrients vol. 14,7 1453. 30 Mar. 2022, doi:10.3390/nu14071453 ↩︎
- Kamara, B Irene et al. “Polyphenols from Honeybush tea (Cyclopia intermedia).” Journal of agricultural and food chemistry vol. 51,13 (2003): 3874-9. doi:10.1021/jf0210730 ↩︎
- Choi, Sun Young et al. “Protective effects of fermented honeybush (Cyclopia intermedia) extract (HU-018) against skin aging: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.” Journal of cosmetic and laser therapy : official publication of the European Society for Laser Dermatology vol. 20,5 (2018): 313-318. doi:10.1080/14764172.2017.1418512 ↩︎
- Canivenc-Lavier, Marie-Chantal,et al. “Phytoestrogens and Health Effects.” Nutrients vol. 15,2 317. 9 Jan. 2023, doi:10.3390/nu1502031 ↩︎
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