Rooibos

Aspalanthus linearis

Red Bush Tea Rooibos Uses Considerations

It is a pleasure, for a change, to discuss a plant material which has no therapeutic value and for which none is claimed. Indeed, red bush or rooibos tea is valued not only for its taste but also because it is devoid of any undesirable physiological effects. Although there has been much confusion about the proper name of the plant whose dried leaves and fine twigs constitute the tea, it is now generally agreed to be Aspalathus linearis (Burm. f.) R. Dahlgr., also sometimes designated Borbonia pinifolia Marloth or Aspalathus contaminata (Thunb.) Druce.

This member of the family Fabaceae is a shrub, native to the mountainous regions of South Africa. It attains a height of six feet and bears long needle-like leaves that turn a brick red color when bruised. The plant is now extensively cultivated, particularly in the Cedarberg Mountains near the Clanwilliam district. In late summer or early autumn, the plants are harvested, cut into short lengths, moistened, bruised, allowed to ferment, and dried in the sun to produce red bush tea which is brewed like ordinary tea to make South Africa's most popular hot beverage. Red bush tea is drunk either plain or with sugar and milk according to the consumer's taste. It is valued highly not only for its refreshing flavor-a liking for it may be acquired-but because it is low in tannin (less than 5%) and is essentially caffeine-free. These factors combine with the presence of some vitamin C in the tea (0.0016%) to produce a beverage which is quite acceptable to those who wish to avoid caffeine and high tannin concentrations in their hot drinks.

Rooibos contains at least thirty-seven natural antioxidants, minerals, vitamin C, and alpha-hydroxy acids. It does not contain caffeine, and it has a very low tannin content.

USES

Rooibos is an antiviral, antianxiety, and antiallergy agent. Rooibos is used in the treatment of syphilis to stop generalized inflammation and pain, although it is not a treatment for the disease itself. It has a beneficial effect on age-related mental decline. Rooibos is also used as a milk substitute for infants who are prone to colic.

This herb is considered to have considerable antispasmodic activity. There is growing evidence that it contributes to a reduction in heart disease and other ailments associated with aging.

Benefits of rooibos for specific health conditions include the following:

• Allergies and stress. It is likely that rooibos interferes with histamine, which causes both nasal congestion and stomach upset during both allergic reactions and periods of stress. That makes rooibos especially helpful for people who have food allergies as well as respiratory allergies. This herb is suitable for use by children, as rooibos tea is gentle and nontoxic.
• HIV / AIDS. Two Japanese studies have shown that rooibos has activity against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Compounds called complex polysaccharides, found in rooibos, prevent HIV from binding to its target cells and are effective in concentrations that are completely nontoxic to healthy human tissue.
• Insomnia and restless legs syndrome. Rooibos tea is a bedtime favorite among South African herbalists, consumers, and even physicians. It is likely that rooibos helps to induce sleep both directly, by affecting the metabolism of acetylcholine in the brain and preventing excessive firing of the neurons that cause wakefulness, and indirectly, by blocking hormonal reactions that cause inflammation and pain. Rooibos is especially helpful in treating insomnia caused by medications for Alzheimer's disease, but should be used for this purpose only with the knowledge and consent of a physician.

CONSIDERATIONS

Rooibos is available as a tea. Like black tea, it inhibits the absorption of iron from food, although rooibos has a lesser effect on iron absorption than does black tea. People with iron-deficiency conditions should avoid both beverages.