Health Benefits of Rooibos Tea
Rooibos or Redbush, as it is more commonly known, is an herbal tea that is grown only in the South African highlands. It comes from the plant Aspalathus linearis, rather than the Camellia plants that produce traditional teas, such as Black, Green or Oolong. Hibiscus tea is an ancient herbal infusion or tisane with a refreshingly crisp, sweet flavor. It also is good for you. A tea containing hibiscus refers to the hibiscus sabdariffa flower, which is also called Indian sorrel or Florida cranberry. The brew is a distinctive red color and offers a very sweet and slightly nutty flavor. It contains a variety of antioxidant substances, some of which are entirely exclusive to the Redbush plant. As well as being decaffeinated with low tannin content, the tea contains Vitamin C and many minerals and can almost be considered a nutritional supplement. The minerals contained in a cup of Redbush tea are: Various studies have shown the many health problems that can be helped by drinking this tea on a regular basis: - Can be used to treat hay fever, asthma and eczema
- Placed directly on the skin, it can slow the aging process
- Boosts the immune system
- Eases irritability, headaches, nervous tension and insomnia
- Acts as an anti-spasmodic agent, to relieve stomach cramps and colic in infants
- Contains no oxalic acid, so people who are prone to kidney stones can safely consume it
Mothers in South Africa have long been aware of the benefits of the herbal brew and it is traditional to give this tea to children. It is thought that a small amount of Redbush tea added to milk could soothe babies and help ease symptoms of colic. Though, always check with your healthcare provider before giving herbal tea or other beverages to children.This article was written by Uma Mays, owner of UK-based Teaworld, an online specialty tea company.
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