* Please Note: This information is based partly on Traditional Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Description: Rooibos is an erect, much-branched shrub of up to 2 m in height with reddish brown stems and dark green, needle-shaped leaves. The flowers are small, yellow and typical pea-flowers.
Origin: South Africa. The plant is restricted to the western parts of the Western Cape Province, and commercial cultivation is still centred in this region.
Parts Used: Leaves and twigs (Aspalathi linearis herba). Processing involves cutting or chopping the leaves and stems into very short pieces, followed by bruising, "fermenting" (more accurately enzymatic oxidation) and finally drying. A modem development is to prevent oxidation by a short heat treatment, resulting in green tea with enhanced levels of antioxidants.
Therapeutic Category: Antispasmodic, general health tea.
Uses and Properties: The main medicinal use of rooibos tea is as a milk substitute for babies who are prone to cholic. Rooibos tea has become a very popular health drink because it is totally devoid of potentially harmful stimulants such as caffeine. The antioxidant effects of flavonoids (especially that of the green tea) are considered to delay the onset of ailments associated with aging. Extracts have been included in cosmetic products and are said to be beneficial against eczema.
Active Ingredients: Several flavonoid glycosides are known from the plant (including orientin, isoorientin, quercinin), of which the dihydrochalcones aspalathin and nothofagin are the main constituents. These compounds are altered during the oxidation process, so that green tea is now preferred because of its enhanced flavonoid levels and thus antioxidant effects.
Pharmacological Effects: The health properties have been ascribed to the absence of stimulants, the low tannin content, the presence of minerals and the antioxidant (free-radical capturing) effects of the phenolic compounds.
Notes: Rooibos tea is nowadays used as ingredient of herbal and medicinal teas - as filler to provide bulk but also to improve the taste and colour of the products.
Status: Traditional medicine (herbal tea).
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Directions
Rooibos tea is made and enjoyed in much the same way as ordinary tea. It makes an excellent ice tea.
Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 tea bag for each cup into the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea).
Iced tea brewing method (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 tea bags into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the bags. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste. [A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to double the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water].
Additional Information
ZooScape is proud to be the exclusive distributor of TerraVita teas, herbs and supplements in the United States, Canada and around the world. Please direct all wholesale and bulk inquiries to Simona Heather at 905-494-1785.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
