Rooibos tea: health benefits and contraindications

Tea and coffee are two beverages that have gained their fans around the world. Nowadays, people have become more and more concerned about their health and give preference to special herbal gatherings that can strengthen the body and improve immunity. Rooibush tea belongs to this type of drinking.

What is rooibos

The very name "rooibos" or "rooibos" came from the name of the shrub, the leaves and shoots of which are brewed to prepare this drink. The fact that the plant has a red color, and rooibos is a red bush. It reaches a height of 2-3 meters and its leaves are more like pine needles. It is customary to use the shoots and leaves for cooking. Although the drink is considered tea in the world, this is not quite right, because the shrub belongs to the family of legumes, so the tea in it is only a way of brewing.

The birthplace of rooibos is considered to be South Africa. It was the natives of that area who discovered the amazing and fragrant taste of tea. They considered the drink a gift from the gods, prolonging life. The most amazing thing is that rooibos grows only in one place. All attempts to cultivate it in other places ended in complete failure.

For the first time the properties of this herbal drink were appreciated by the Dutch in the 18th century, and the first written mention of it dates back to 1772 and is contained in the notes of Swedish naturalist Carl Peter Thunberg.

A century later Benjamin Ginsberg found the best way to harvest the raw material. Plantations then appeared and rooibos began its victorious march across Europe at the very beginning of the 20th century.

In 1930 a doctor Nortier made an agreement with South African farmers to grow tea, more precisely its bushes, in large quantities so as to be able to produce and sell the wonderful phyto tea.

Today the plant is grown in South Africa in the Cederberg Valley. The annual turnover is about 12 thousand tons a year, half of which is exported. The largest exporters of rooibos are considered to be Germany, Japan, Great Britain, the USA and the Netherlands.

Growing technology has changed little since the ancient inhabitants of South Africa, who discovered the magic plant. In July and August the plantations are sown with the seeds of rooibos, which are cultivated for a year and a half. Then the shrubs that have gained strength are cut down and bundled into bundles that are sent to an industrial area. There artisans make the now world-famous Rooibos magic tea.

Types and Varieties

The kinds of tea depend on the ways of its processing associated with fermentation processes - the processing of raw materials built on the principle of converting the original product into another one with the help of its own enzymes.

It is customary to distinguish two types of this drink: red and green. The green color of the tea is obtained by steaming the raw material immediately after picking. In this case the fermentation of the plant stops and the plant becomes green.

In the case of red rooibos, the fermentation process occurs naturally. The brew is then rolled between cylinders and left to dry.

The green rooibos also has a more herbal aroma and a delicate flavor, whereas the red has a peanutty, woody flavor and a slightly harsh aroma. Lovers of red rooibos are advised to add pieces of strawberry, pineapple, peach or other fruit. Rooibos acquires a unique shade of flavor and rich aroma with it.

Now you can try different varieties of this tea drink, which are obtained by adding different flavorings to the basic composition. For example:

• Kalahari, where cornflower flowers and lemongrass are added;
• vanilla;
• marrakesh with orange;
• strawberry;
• with orange and almonds and others.

When you try different kinds of tea, you can feel the whole range of flavors of exotic drink in combination with components that add an original twist.

Composition and Calories

In the pursuit of health, or rather to preserve it, it is very important to know the components of a particular product. African tea also has its own calories and chemical composition. So, the number of kilocalories per 100 grams is 16, the content of fat - 0.8, protein - 0.83, and carbohydrates - 1.17.

This drink contains calcium, fluorine, manganese, iron, natural tetracycline, sodium, zinc, potassium, vitamins C, A, P, E and B group. In addition, phyto tea is rich in flavonoids (natural components that activate enzymes in the human body), phytoncides (substances of biological origin that can kill and stop the growth of bacteria and microscopic organisms), essential oils, phenocarboxylic acids, antioxidants.

Such a rich content of useful substances and trace elements has led rooibos to the leading position among drinks that help maintain human health.

Beneficial properties of rooibos

General benefits

African aborigines consider rooibos drink to be magic and life prolonging. Studies conducted by experts in these fields have partially confirmed the speculation and, perhaps, the knowledge of the inhabitants of the South African republic. Experts have proved that the amazing tea has a whole list of useful "qualities" and its composition is unparalleled. Japanese experts also agreed with this, and as you know, no one appreciates the properties of tea as the wise people of Japan, which for centuries has studied the healing nature of many herbal teas and gatherings. The beneficial properties of the drink from South Africa include the following:

• Prevention of intestinal disorders in people of all ages;
• protection of the heart and strengthening of the walls of blood vessels;
• relief of conditions in allergies;
• elimination of asthma symptoms;
• anti-inflammatory action;
• Prevention of dental caries;
• prevention of constipation;
• antibacterial action;
• strengthening of bone tissue;
• Help in the elimination of nausea and vomiting;
• normalization of sleep;
• preventive action against cataracts, eczema, atherosclerosis;
• natural antidepressant, not addictive;
• Use in antihelminthic prevention and treatment;
• positive effect on brain activity;
• lowering of blood pressure;
• normalization of liver function.

And, also the prevention of cancer, because the presence in its composition of such an element as superoxide dismutase is a way to combat active radicals.

People with urolithiasis can also not be afraid of drinking this tea, because it does not contain oxalic acid.

The revitalizing effect of the drink is achieved through antioxidants and special components of the plant, which removes toxins from the human body, thereby deoxidizing the internal environment.

For women

So, the useful properties of rooibos are difficult to overestimate, but it is necessary to separately note its beneficial effects on the female body.

1. The presence of antioxidants in sufficient quantities prevents the aging process of the epidermis.
2. It normalizes the menstrual cycle.
3. The drink helps in the treatment of skin diseases.
4. For women, tea can help to cope with insomnia, increased irritability or depression.

It is known that ladies are more susceptible to stress than gentlemen. After a stressful day at work, it is not at all superfluous to have a cup of a wonderful drink, which will soothe and warm the restless female soul with the rays of the African sun, reflected in every drop of the miraculous elixir.

For Men

The stronger sex also needs support and care, to restore energy and physical strength, to lift their tone. Having healing properties, rooibos will also help men cope with the following problems:

1. If men's activity is associated with overstrain and physical exertion, the tea can not only strengthen the body, but also, by removing traces of fatigue, give vigor and replenish lost energy.
2. In addition, the drink increases male power, so the strong half of humanity should not deny themselves the pleasure of enjoying this magical "potion".
3. Another useful property is to help with hangover syndrome. It's all about the magnesium in the drink. This is why the tea relieves headaches, normalizes blood pressure and calms the nervous system. It is recommended to pour 0.25 teaspoon of brew into a glass of boiling water and infuse it for 15 minutes before drinking. So before swallowing aspirin and other hangover medications, you should drink a cup of aromatic herbal tea, which will eliminate the "suffering" of the body and bring him only one benefit!

When pregnant

The beautiful half of humanity of the planet, being in a state of pregnancy, is more wary of everything that surrounds her. This attitude occurs in future mothers to food and drinks, because now they are responsible not only for themselves, but also for the little life inside them.

Specialists, examining the beneficial properties of rooibos, came to the following conclusions:

1. The absence of caffeine and tannin in small doses allows pregnant women to drink the drink without fearing for the health of the baby.
2. The high iron content makes the tea indispensable for anemia in pregnant women.
3. The ability to fight constipation and increased flatulence, a frequent problem of pregnant women, also has a beneficial effect on women in the position.
4. When using the drink is the elimination of excess fluid and reduction of edema.
5. Do not forget about the presence of folic acid, a particularly important element in the first trimester of pregnancy.
6. In addition, when pregnant, you should not forget about all the other useful properties of tea, which not only will not do any harm, but also will help to cope with toxicosis and strengthen the immune system of the mother. Acquaintance with phyto tea in this case, experts advise to begin with the classic varieties of beverage without additives and flavorings.
7. Anxiety and insomnia of future parents also takes place, so for the normalization of sleep and calmness rooibos is indicated for use!

In the first trimester, it is recommended to take no more than one cup per day, because it has the property of lowering blood pressure. In the second and third trimesters, you can increase the "dose" to two or three cups.

When breastfeeding

The emergence of a baby is initially a stress for the female body. Rooibos tea will help a young mother to cope with postpartum depression and establish lactation, increasing the amount of mother's milk, as well as it is hypoallergenic, so you can drink it without fear.

For kids

The useful properties of tea have been proven by numerous studies, which have confirmed its benefits and positive effects not only on the adult body, but also on children. The drink can be taken even by the youngest children, because they will need zinc, potassium, fluoride and many different trace elements, which this wonderful phyto tea can boast of. Also the positive effect in the fight against colic in infants has been proven by researchers. The tea can be used during acute respiratory diseases as a prophylactic and to increase the body's resistance to infections. Thus, the consumption of rooibos by children leads to the proper formation of the immune system, and the body as a whole. In addition, the composition includes glucose, which makes its taste sweet and pleasant for little gourmets.

When losing weight

Weight loss itself is impossible without a properly formulated diet and exercise, but if you also consume this tea drink, the process will clearly improve. Rooibos helps to remove excess water from the body, eliminate stool problems and normalize the metabolic process. Nutritionists urge to take tea an hour before a meal, as appetite is dulled and the desire to gain extra calories is self-liquidated. But do not forget that the drink should be consumed without additives and not with five spoonfuls of sugar!

Rooibos in medicine

Currently, medics in many countries on the basis of scientific arguments and developments related to the study of the composition and impact of tea on a person came to the conclusion that the positive effect of taking such a drink can not only be used as a preventive measure, but also be an adjuvant medicinal agent. Tea is recommended for the following diseases:

• radiation exposure;
• heart pathologies;
• cancerous tumors;
• osteoporosis;
• hypertension;
• cataracts;
• diabetes;
• liver disease;
• atherosclerosis;
• allergies;
• eczema;
• asthma;
• chronic fatigue;
• stress;
• neuroses;
• sleep disorders;
• food poisoning;
• flatulence;
• arthritis;
• heartburn;
• elevated cholesterol levels.

So, the beneficial properties of rooibos are recognized by official medicine, and people who take the tea daily are direct proof of the unique health-improving effect of the South African treasure.

Diabetes mellitus

It should be highlighted separately the possibility of taking a tea drink for patients suffering from such a disease as diabetes. Everyone knows that with this disease, people must be very careful to monitor the consumption of sugars, so as not to aggravate the situation.

The tea contains the antioxidant aspalatin, which has a useful anti-diabetic effect, namely reducing insulin resistance, as well as helping to control the balance of blood sugar levels and reduce the amount of harmful lipids. This mysterious drink can prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. Also, it should not be forgotten that phyto tea is also useful for those people who are at risk. Doctors recommend drinking rooibos no more than three glasses a day.

With gastritis

Studying the effect of the drink on various human organs, its benefits and possible harms, the scientific community came to the conclusion that rooibos has a mild effect on the gastrointestinal tract, not causing exacerbations of inflamed mucosa, so it is recommended to take two or three glasses during the day. At the same time it is not recommended to drink hot rooibos, because at a high temperature phyto tea can cause stomach cramps.

If you have an acute respiratory infections.

Many people during the seasonal struggle with various infections are trying to find a remedy that can increase the body's resistance to acute respiratory infections and colds. Such a remedy may well be rooibos tea. For this purpose, you should take a green variety of drink, because. It contains more antioxidants than red. Decoction of this magical plant can be used as an expectorant to help ease the process of phlegm discharge. You can also gargle a sore throat and, of course, use internally to cope with the infection, alleviate the overall condition and strengthen the body's immune system.

In pancreatitis.

Pancreatic disease requires special care. Rooibos tea is one of the few drinks that are not forbidden to drink in pancreatitis. Its recommended dose is three to four cups a day without additives, sugar and flavorings. It should be remembered that rooibos is consumed in weakly brewed form.

Cosmetological applications

The beauty of women has always been glorified by poets and painters, but women themselves have been looking for all kinds of ways to look even more beautiful since time immemorial. In the pursuit of eternal youth beautiful nymphs turned to sorcerers and magicians. The time of ancient rituals has passed, but ladies diligently look for the elixir of youth, able, if not to perpetuate, at least to prolong their beauty. The elixir may well be rooibos, capable of preserving youthful skin, purifying the body and prolonging the beauties' youth, making them finally happy and satisfied after so much searching!

Currently, the plant is used in the production of cosmetics of various brands. Such products are especially popular with residents of the United States, who appreciate the moisturizing and rejuvenating effect of rooibos.

The unique composition of the plant helps to cope with wrinkles and the first signs of aging in the same way as professional cosmetic preparations do.

There are many recipes for making various masks and elixirs that can restore and fill the skin with new vitality. Here are just a few of them:

1. To fight inflammation and eczema, you should soak a cosmetic towel in rooibos brew and put it on your face. The liquid should be used at room temperature. For a better effect, you can add a few drops of lavender oil. Such a compress will moisturize and smooth the skin, making it velvety, radiant and healthy looking.
2. To combat black eyes, you need to soak cotton pads in decoction of medicinal tea and put on the problem areas, relax and wait five to seven minutes. If you apply this remedy regularly (once or twice a week), the effect will be noticeable very soon.
3. To smooth out wrinkles and get an even complexion, it is enough to add 1 teaspoon of tea to any home-cooked mask.
4. You can also use rooibos decoction for washing instead of water. To do this, take 1 tsp of brew to one glass of water, boil and leave to cool. Such a decoction is suitable not only for washing, but also for rinsing the hair. By the way, using tea as a rinse can help women get thick and shiny hair, just like in the famous shampoo commercials.
5. The decoction can be frozen in cubes, and in the morning to "wake up" the skin with these "goodies". This procedure triggers the process of rejuvenation, nourishes the skin with life-giving moisture and fights inflammation.
6. After boiling the decoction for five minutes, you should moisten a cotton pad in it and apply it to the most problematic area of inflamed skin or mucosa. As a result of such manipulations, the inflammation will disappear, redness will disappear.
7. When sunburns should be brewed tea at the rate of 1 tsp. per glass of water, allow to infuse for five to seven minutes, and then lubricate the inflamed skin. The effect will surpass all expectations!
8. To narrow pores you can prepare a mask of oat flour with apple cider vinegar, lemon, honey and rooibos. For this you need to take 3 tbsp of oat flour, 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp of lemon juice, 1 tsp of honey and 1 tsp of rooibos brew. Mix all ingredients and apply to face in an even layer, except around eyes. After 5 minutes (no longer!) wash the mask off with warm water.
9. To tighten the skin on your face at home is also possible. Cosmetologists recommend to make the following mask: take 1 tbsp. each of oatmeal, olive oil, rooibos tea and 1 egg white. First, whip the protein until foamy, and then add rooibos, oil and flakes. Such a mask to apply to the face and neck and after 15 minutes wash off with warm water.
10. For hair growth, you can prepare a decoction of burdock leaves and rooibos. Take dried burdock roots and water in the proportion 1:10 and boil for about fifteen minutes. Then cool for about three hours and add rooibos decoction in the ratio of 1:1. Rinse your hair with this rinse after shampooing. Such a remedy is suitable for daily use.
11. To get rid of the notorious orange peel, you can again turn to the fabulous tea. It is necessary to add a strong decoction to the water each time and take a bath for 7-10 minutes. The hated cellulite will disappear and the skin will tighten. In addition, such baths will help to relax and relieve nervous tension.

While making masks, rinses and other means should not neglect the precautions and have a test of skin tolerance of the cosmetic composition, because the individual intolerance to the components is a serious thing and can cause a lot of trouble. In addition, people prone to allergic reactions, you should also be cautious and consult a doctor.

Harms and contraindications

For all its variety of positive qualities, tea also has negative aspects. Contraindications of the drink:

1. Diabetics are better to consult a doctor, as the composition includes glucose.
2. Hypotensive people are also not recommended long-term and regular use of phyto tea, because rooibos lowers blood pressure.
3. Anemia should drink tea only after meals.
4. The most important contraindication to the use is considered an individual intolerance, so the process of acquaintance with this healing drink is recommended to start with small portions, or rather sips. In addition, the tea has a specific taste and pungent smell.

How to Choose and Store

Choosing a precious tea in a store or pharmacy, the buyer should adhere to the following rules:

1. Before buying, be sure to read the composition on the package. A good tea should contain only natural ingredients of natural origin (spices, herbs, dried berries).
2. The brew must be crumbly and have equal sized pieces.
3. The presence of pieces of twigs or bark in the brew composition indicates a high quality of the drink, but the presence of yellow leaves indicates a low quality.
4. Choosing a weight or a bagged beverage, you should still give preference to the former, because it has a richer flavor and aroma. But even tea "in bags" is not inferior to tea by weight in its useful properties, so you should not worry that the bags lack vitamins.

The brew should be stored in a cool and dry place. It is better to buy a special ceramic or glass jar with a friction-fitted lid, because the tighter it will fit, the longer the drink will retain its useful substances and a unique flavor and aroma. The shelf life of the tea is about a year and a half to two years.

How to brew and drink rooibos correctly

The preparation of rooibos is similar to the preparation of an ordinary tea. There are no special secrets, but there are some rules:

1. To begin with it is necessary to choose a container, which can be absolutely any kind, but experts don't recommend to use earthenware because in their opinion, the wonderful aroma of the drink is lost in such a container. As for the rest, there are no restrictions. It can be brewed in a teapot, a glass, or a thermos.
2. For one glass of boiled water, take 1 tsp. brewed and pour boiling water, let stand for 5 minutes, and then drain it. This is done to get rid of harmful microorganisms and dust. Then pour boiling water again, wait 5-7 minutes and enjoy your tea.
3. The real connoisseurs of this drink recommend boiling it, not just pouring boiling water. When boiled, the color turns ruby, and the flavor and aroma become richer.
4. Chilled tea can be stored in the refrigerator for several days, and most of the useful substances will remain in its almost pristine form. The brew itself can be used several times, namely 3-4 times, and neither the taste nor the useful qualities undergo significant changes.
5. For the first use it is better to add pieces of pineapple, strawberries, raspberries, caramel, etc. This will allow you to enjoy the exotic taste, get used to the drink and enjoy every time.

In addition, there are various recipes for making phyto tea, such as espresso from rooibos. Yes, yes! From this amazing plant you can make real espresso, but only very healthy. This experiment was pioneered by a South American, Pretorius. To make it, he needed an ordinary espresso machine. He chose a special kind of rooibos and as a result got a drink that is very similar in appearance to the famous coffee and even has the same crema. Pretorius patented his invention, and then, after refining the recipe, he opened a whole "tea and coffee" trend, which includes espresso, red latte, and red cappuccino.

These drinks are unlikely to be self-made because the recipe and technology are patented, but a prophylactic tea to strengthen the immune system is quite feasible to brew yourself. For him you will need: 1 tsp. rooibos, one lemon and one orange, 1 tsp. sage leaves and, accordingly, 1 glass of water.

Take a teapot or a thermos, put there citrus zest, chopped into small pieces, brew, sage and pour boiling water. Insist for 5-10 minutes. Such a drink will protect you from colds and warm during the cold season.

Also known is the authentic way of brewing tea, which uses 2 tsp of brew per glass of liquid. Pour over boiling water, infuse for 5 minutes, and then boil for another 5 minutes. With this method of brewing, the drink takes on a more pronounced color, aroma, and flavor.

In addition to the rules of brewing, there are peculiarities of drinking this tea:

1. To minimize the negative impact on the stomach, you should choose a comfortable temperature and refrain from overly hot consumption.
2. It is better to refrain from adding sugar, because it reduces the amount of useful substances and can spoil the taste.
3. It is not recommended to wash down rooibosch medicines.
4. Also, you should not drink it on an empty stomach.

How many times can you brew it?

You can brew tea up to 5-6 times.

Interesting Facts

1. Not far from Kuala Lumpur, in Malaysia, there is the world's only museum dedicated to tea from South Africa.
2. Watering indoor plants with remnants of the drink will benefit them as well as humans.
3. Surprisingly, the tea, depending on time of day, affects the body differently: in the morning it refreshes, during the day - fills with energy and improves mood, and in the evening helps to get rid of fatigue and slip into a healthy and restful sleep.
4. Rooibush can be used not only as a drink, but also as a seasoning for many dishes, such as chicken, various sauces, etc. It is also added in the manufacture of marmalade, and some chefs advise adding phyto decoction instead of milk to the base for baking, which gives the products an amazing tenderness and softness.
5. At first, farmers from South Africa planted too many bushes, because. The price of rooibos has fallen so low that it has become affordable to almost everyone.
6. Today, when most scientists around the world are concerned about global warming, experts from the Rooibos Research Center in South Africa are also concerned about this phenomenon. They believe that warming could lead to the disappearance of this unique plant.

So, the benefits of drinking rooibos tea is proven not only by scientists, but also by ordinary people, who by drinking it were able to improve the overall physical health and get rid of various diseases. But still do not take this magic remedy as some panacea, able to heal from serious illnesses!

This tea is a kind of heritage of distant and mysterious South African ancestors of mankind, who were able to pass to future generations the knowledge about the healing properties of the magic drink, which heals from within and prolongs life.

Herbal tea is truly unique and has no analogues in the world, so thousands of people have become its admirers and connoisseurs. They quench their thirst with it or just drink it and enjoy the unique aroma and mysterious taste that can take you to the sun-breathing valleys of Africa, so carefully guarding its secrets but sometimes graciously giving away some of its treasures to people.

Photo of rooibos tea