Rooibos Tea — The Next Powerhouse Tea!

So who wants to drink a great-tasting tea loaded with healthy antioxidants?

Did you immediately think of green teas? Yes, green teas have lots of antioxidants. But did you also know that Rooibos tea is loaded with them too?

So what is Rooibos tea? Rooibos (pronounced ROY-boss) is native to South Africa. It’s a low-growing shrub found in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. And, that’s the only place it grows!

Technically, Rooibos is not a tea but an herb. It is fermented, then dried, and because of its red color, Rooibos is also called African red tea or red bush tea. It is rich in antioxidants, which gives it its pain-relieving and anti-aging properties. It is caffeine-free and low in tannins. There’s also a green rooibos, but that’s another article.

Rooibos tea has a naturally sweet and mild flavor, with nutty tones, and can be brewed on its own. South Africans traditionally drink their red rooibos tea with a splash of milk and a little sugar or honey. The flavor deepens the longer you steep the tea leaves, becoming richer and more full-bodied.

Rooibos contains — and here come the big words — polyphenols, flavonols, flavonoids, and dihydrochalcones. These compounds have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antimutagenic qualities. Polyphenols are organic chemicals that are often praised for their antioxidant capabilities. Flavonoids are associated with lowering the risk of coronary heart diseases.

Here are some of the health benefits associated with drinking rooibos tea:

• Improves heart health
• Helps with managing blood sugar and diabetes
• Lowers blood pressure
• Improves bone health
• Reduces allergies
• Is good for your skin- anti-aging
• Relieves stomach cramps
• Caffeine-free

I carry some amazing flavors of Rooibos, and I enjoy all of them!

Some of my personal favorites are Blueberry Cinnamon Cobbler Rooibos, Snickerdoodle Rooibos, or Caramel Walnut Shortbread Rooibos when I want something to soothe my sweet tooth.

I choose Cinnamon Spice Rooibos when I want to double up on the benefits of lowering my blood pressure and blood sugar, and Chai Rooibos when I want to enjoy a caffeine-free chai. This chai blend handles cream and sugar or honey nicely.

And as I’m writing this newsletter, I’m enjoying one of my custom blends made just for me, Organic Rejuvenate Rooibos.

I could talk about all 15 Rooibos flavors that I carry for hours, but it suffices to say they’re all wonderful.