If you never heard of rooibos tea, you are not alone. This beverage is not as popular as hibiscus or chamomile tea.
Nevertheless, rooibos tea benefits are starting to attract healthy lifestyle enthusiasts. It has a beautiful color, delicious flavor, and great benefits for health and beauty.
Read this guide before you pick rooibos tea to fill the pantry.
A. What Is Rooibos Tea?
Rooibos tea originates from Africa. It is made by brewing the leaves of Aspalathus linearus, a South African plant species.
The brewing process results in a bright red liquid, which is rich in antioxidants such as polyphenols. Unlike hibiscus tea, rooibos tea has a mild and naturally sweet flavor.
Just like there are green, black, and oolong tea types, rooibos tea also has unique varieties. The most popular one is the “red bush” tea, in which the leaves go through oxidization and fermentation.
The green rooibos tea does not go through the same process, which results in paler, subtler, and earthier flavor.
Does rooibos tea have caffeine? No, because it does not come from Camellia sinensis plants. Rooibos tea does not have caffeine and only contains a little tannin.
However, it contains a lot of antioxidants, such as polyphenols, flavones, and flavanones.
B. Rooibos Tea Benefits for Health
The rich antioxidants in rooibos tea provide various health benefits with regular consumption. They are:
1. Increasing the Immune System
Antioxidants are important to increase the immune system. Consuming rooibos tea will keep you from getting sick all the time. You can also stay healthy even during bad weather or stress.
2. Protecting the Cardiovascular Health
Antioxidants in the rooibos tea can help to relax the blood vessels, reducing the risk of developing stroke and heart disease.
The tea can also reduce the LDL (“bad cholesterol”) level. However, there is no proof that this tea can reduce blood pressure.
3. Reducing Abdominal Pain
Rooibos tea has anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammation components. They make the tea a popular remedy to reduce abdominal pain. You can also consume it to relieve the cramp, especially during a heavy period.
4. Keeping the Bones Strong
Rooibos tea contains several important minerals for bones, such as fluoride and calcium. They help to build strong bone structures and reducing risks of arthritis and osteoporosis.
Some people think that drinking rooibos tea for weight loss can help.
However, since the tea does not contain caffeine, it does not have a property to boost metabolism. It is a good alternative to replace highly caffeinated drinks and sugary fruit juice.
C. Rooibos Tea Benefits for Beauty
Drinking rooibos tea regularly keeps your hair and skin in great condition. Here are several rooibos tea benefits for skin and hair.
1. Preventing Hair Fall
Hair fall and thinning are caused by weak roots, due to the lack of minerals. Rooibos tea contains zinc, calcium, and copper, which are important for the health of hair.
2. Reducing Early Aging Signs
Sun exposure and stress can cause early aging signs due to free radicals. The antioxidants in rooibos tea fight the negative effects of free radicals, preventing early aging signs like wrinkles and spots.
3. Reducing the Acne Risks
The antibacterial quality in rooibos tea can help your body fighting bacterial infection, including the one that results in acne. The flavonoids in the tea can alleviate flaming zits. Apply the tea on the affected area.
These beauty-related effects are not spectacular. However, you can include rooibos tea into your daily diet, and combine it with beauty treatments for better results.
D. Side Effects of Rooibos Tea
Rooibos tea does not contain caffeine, so it is quite safe for people with low caffeine tolerance. However, there are concerns about medication interferences.
The chemical compounds in rooibos tea could reduce the effectiveness of your medications.
There are no conclusions about the effect of drinking rooibos tea during pregnancy and breastfeeding periods.
If you are pregnant, you should stay away from drinking rooibos tea (along with highly caffeinated beverages like regular tea and coffee).
This is to anticipate possible bodily reactions toward the chemical compounds in the tea.
In general, consuming rooibos tea is not a dangerous option, but you cannot brush off some concerns. Consult with the doctor first before adding rooibos tea to your diet.
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E. Tips for Brewing Rooibos Tea
The most popular type of rooibos beverage is rooibos red tea. It is available in various brands, so you have a lot of practical choices for this tea. There are several brewing tips to make your drink more delicious:
1. Use the Right Water
The right water can emphasize the actual flavor profile of rooibos tea. Uses filtered water in boiling temperature to brewing the tea.
2. Steep for the Right Period
The proper steeping method gives you amazing tea flavor and antioxidant benefits. Rooibos tea usually needs four to five minutes of steeping.
However, some brands require you to steep for 10 minutes. Follow the package instructions for the best result.
3. Keep the Tea Properly
Many rooibos tea products are sold as dried loose leaves, although some already come in bags. To keep the quality in top condition, store the tea in a dry and dark place, not exposed to the sun or heat.
F. Most Recommended Rooibos Tea Brands
The year 2019 sees great rooibos tea brands coming to the market. Here are some recommendations:
1. Twining’s Herbal Rooibos Tea
Twining’s offers ease and practicality with its bagged rooibos tea. The tea does not contain other blends, which makes it free of caffeine. The brewing method is easy, perfect for busy people.
2. Numi Organic Rooibos
This organic rooibos tea is non-GMO, with the USDA organic standard. It produces fresh, subtly flavored rooibos tea, with certified fair labor practice. However, the price may be a bit pricey for regular drinkers.
3. Freshpak
Freshpak is great if you want to taste the original South African rooibos tea product. The Africa-based manufacturer makes no-fuss bagged tea with subtle flavor and no caffeine.
4. Rooibos Rocks South African Red Bush
This premium rooibos tea is delicious and organic, with sustainable packaging. The price is a little high, but the excellent quality gives you maximum antioxidant benefits.
Rooibos tea is a great caffeine-free alternative to coffee and tea. It has great flavor and easy to brew. Get rooibos tea benefits from the drink’s rich antioxidants and buy the recommended brands for the best results.
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