Rooibos tea - properties, benefits and contraindications. Rooibos: beneficial properties and contraindications

Not long ago, the opportunity arose to try a wonderful and healing drink among the population of the whole world, namely rooibos tea. Its benefits have already been proven for centuries, but previously only some people could use it, saturating their body with the necessary elements. This shrub, from which a wonderful drink is prepared, grows only in a certain place on earth, not far from the South African Caesar Mountains. holds within itself this unrivaled treasure. It is prepared from the bush of the same name by processing the leaves.

It is precisely because this drink spread beyond Africa not so long ago that the beneficial properties of this healing drug are not known to everyone. But in its homeland it has been actively used for various purposes for many centuries. Of course, the favorite and most common drink in Africa is rooibos tea. The benefits and harms of this wonderful herbal product will be discussed in more detail in the current article. In addition to its wonderful taste, this drink is a real storehouse of substances necessary for the body.

beneficial properties

One of the main positive properties of the drink is its ability to saturate the body with vivacity and energy. At the same time, there is absolutely no caffeine or theine in its composition. Great coffee substitute! After drinking this miraculous drink, performance increases significantly and the body is saturated with energy. Indeed, its pronounced positive effect on the state of the human cardiovascular system has already been proven. First of all, it is its soft penetration without raising the usual pressure that affects.

Compound

The healing properties of rooibos tea are achieved thanks to its excellent composition. This is a huge amount of minerals such as magnesium, potassium, copper, fluorine, iron and others. As for vitamins, ascorbic acid is present in large quantities, as well as A, E, P. It contains useful aromatic oils. But the presence of tetracycline in it allows it to exhibit bactericidal properties. A high content of antioxidants is characteristic of this tea, which means it gets rid of free radicals.

And this, as is known, helps prevent the development and get rid of existing cancer. A good effect is also achieved in the treatment of osteoporosis. Also, after drinking this wonderful drink, the skin becomes elastic, fresh, and wrinkles are smoothed out. Thanks to the content of antioxidants, the aging process in the body slows down. And the antibacterial effect when using this drink is observed due to the presence of phenolcarboxylic acids.

It is used in absolutely different areas, and not just as an excellent drink. It is added during the preparation of culinary products, as a food additive as a coloring element, and, of course, for cosmetic purposes. But still, the benefits of rooibos tea for the health of the human body have been noted. This unique drink helps eliminate many diseases. Scientists around the world are puzzled by this ability of tea to saturate the human body with beneficial properties, affecting absolutely all functions. It has a beneficial effect on overall health.

Helps the nervous system

Many have already tried this healing potion and always plan to purchase rooibos tea. The benefits and harms of this drink are being studied by scientists, but so far it is the beneficial properties that win. Tea has a wide range of different effects that are beneficial for the body. For example, this is an excellent remedy for calming the nervous system. By drinking this tea on a regular basis, you can get rid of tension, insomnia, and also normalize sleep.

For ARVI

For colds, it is recommended to use this healing drink, which has an anti-inflammatory effect. With the help of wonderful tea you can strengthen your immune system. This is especially important in the spring, as well as in the autumn, when the number of colds increases. By strengthening the immune system, it has a beneficial effect on the state of the body and human well-being. It is advisable to use it instead of regular tea, as it will also help prevent the disease itself. This is a very useful product!

For other diseases

In the treatment of most common diseases, rooibos tea is prescribed as a complex therapy. This refers to diseases such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, asthma, diseases of the cardiovascular system, various eczemas and others. Rooibos tea cleanses blood vessels very well of cholesterol, thereby strengthening them and reducing the risk of acquiring unnecessary diseases. And also with the help of this excellent remedy you can easily lower your blood pressure.

In case of poisoning

Rooibos tea is also very useful to use after poisoning of the body. It will cleanse you of unnecessary elements and saturate them with useful substances. It will very quickly allow you to get rid of the ailment that has arisen due to the presence of natural substances in its composition; the process of fighting bacteria is almost painless.

Tea and diets

Due to its ability to maintain a normal state of sugar in the body, this tea is also used in various diets, because by drinking the drink you prolong the feeling of fullness. It is not recommended to use it in the evening, otherwise energy will appear that will not allow you to fall asleep. A cup of this wonderful sugar-free drink contains only two calories, which in no way will negatively affect your figure.

For swelling

Rooibos tea has also been noted to have beneficial effects in removing excess fluid from the body and relieving swelling. To do this, you need to take a bath with the addition of a wonderful drink.

Due to its significant mineral content, this tea will help maintain normal and strong teeth, as well as the bone tissue of the body. Experts recommend using it as a preventative against caries.

Harm

These are the wonderful properties of the already known rooibos tea. Benefits and harms may manifest themselves individually depending on the condition of the body. In principle, harm can be done with this tea if there is intolerance to the product, which is extremely rare. This is a wonderful healthy drink - rooibos tea. It can cause harm only in one case - if you drink it on an empty stomach. It is also not worth purchasing, since such an invention includes a large number of flavorings and fillers, but only a small percentage of rooibos tea is present. Therefore, it is advisable to buy a natural product in specialized stores.

During pregnancy and lactation

It is precisely because of the many beneficial properties that this drink with a wonderful taste and wonderful effect on the body is recommended for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. After consumption, it was revealed that, in turn, it is very necessary for women during this period. This tea does not contain any harmful substances. Therefore, it can be an excellent alternative to regular tea or coffee.

Against worms and hangovers

This remedy is also used as a prevention and treatment of helminthiasis, as it has pronounced anthelmintic properties. Can be used by both adults and children.

Rooibos tea is also an excellent remedy in the fight against hangover. Due to the high content of ascorbic acid, it actively removes toxins from the body and saturates the weakened body with essential substances in a short time.

People's opinion

The drink tastes a little sweet and can really have a beneficial effect on the body. Anyone who has already tried this tea will forever remain faithful to it. There are a huge number of fans of this drink at the moment. Well, who wouldn’t want to make their body healthier and strengthen its protective functions? Therefore, rooibos tea has recently become widespread throughout the world. The consumer reviews are truly fascinating. Some were cured of long-term illnesses, others got rid of their addiction to coffee, and others actually stopped getting colds after taking this healthy drink.

By the way, I would like to note that people with urolithiasis can also drink tea, since it does not contain oxalic acid.

Species

Today we sell green and red rooibos tea. Their difference lies in different processing methods.

In order to prepare rooibos green tea, the raw materials must be steamed to stop fermentation. The result of this process is a clarified drink with a pleasant herbal taste.

It is prepared in a completely different way. The fermentation process does not stop, but the leaves and twigs of this unique shrub are simply dried. Accordingly, its color will be brown as opposed to green, and its taste will be slightly sweet with a nutty aroma.

How to brew?

In order for tea to release all its beneficial properties, it must be brewed correctly. You need to pour the leaves not with boiling water, but with hot water at about 90 °C. The approximate proportion is 250 ml of water for 6 g of tea. The teapot is wrapped in a towel and the drink is infused for 10-15 minutes. The healing potion is ready, you can use it without diluting it with water. Rooibos can be taken either hot or cold. Various cocktails and punches are prepared on its basis.

Conclusion

Now you know what drink is traditional among South Africans - rooibos tea. Its benefits and harms are analyzed by scientists annually. Currently, a fairly large number of the population consume this healing drink.

Rooibos (rooibos) is a tea drink obtained from the leaves of the plant of the same name. African bush “Rooibos” translated from the local dialect means “red bush”. The aborigines considered the drink a gift from the gods and attributed the ability to rejuvenate the body, filling it with strength and vitality. The plant is grown in South Africa in the Cedar Mountains region. Rooibos became known to Europe only in the 20th century. When European colonialists settled in the Cape Town area they discovered the extraordinary taste of the exotic drink.

Today, rooibos is a popular drink. Its value and high demand are caused by its extraordinary taste and the presence of a number of useful properties.

What is this product?

Rooibos belongs to the legume family. The branches of this shrub have small needles that emit a pleasant aroma. All parts of this plant are used as tea raw materials: leaves, needles and bark. Rooibos tea leaves look like small red-brown sawdust.

Rooibos tea comes in two shades - red and green. The color quality is affected by the processing technology of the tea leaves. The green color occurs as a result of steaming the tea raw materials, which stops the fermentation process at a certain stage. Thanks to this technology, the tea acquires a light herbal taste and a greenish tint.

Red rooibos goes through all stages of fermentation, due to which a reddish hue and a pronounced sweetish taste are formed.

There are other varieties of this tea obtained by aromatizing tea leaves. Among them, strawberry, chocolate and vanilla drinks are especially popular.

Composition and nutritional value

The beneficial properties of rooibos are due to the abundance of vitamins and minerals in its composition. Tea contains a lot of useful substances that are of particular value to the body.

The natural composition of rooibos is presented:

vitamins - A, C, D, E, B1, B2, B5, B6, B12, K, P;
magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium, manganese, fluorine, copper, iron and zinc;
tetracycline (natural antibiotic);
flavonoids;
glucose;
aromatic oils;
antioxidants;
polyphenols;
tannins;
phenol carboxylic acids, etc.

Calorie content tea per 100 grams of product is only 16 calories. Nutritional value is represented by: proteins - 0.83 g, carbohydrates - 1.17 g and fats - 0.84 g.

Scientists advise combining rooibos with medications. Unlike other teas, it contains absolutely no caffeine, which makes it possible for people who give up coffee and tea for medical reasons to drink the drink.

Useful properties

Rooibos tea is a unique drink that has a lot of beneficial substances that have a beneficial effect on human health. The substances that make up the plant prevent oxidative processes in the body and neutralize free radicals. This helps reduce the growth of cancer cells and prevent the occurrence of dangerous diseases.

Tea is useful for various diseases:

oncology,
osteoporosis,
heart diseases,
eczema and psoriasis,
varicose veins,
problems with the gastrointestinal tract,
neuroses and depression,
colds,
swelling,
anemia,

Scientists have proven that rooibos prevents the development of Alzheimer's disease. protects brain cells, improving central nervous system activity. The drink is good for the nervous system. The natural component of tea, tetracycline (a natural antibiotic), provides reliable protection for the body.

Among the beneficial properties of rooibos, the regenerating, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects are especially valued.

For external use, various compresses and lotions soaked in tea broth are used. The rich vitamin composition improves the body's immune functions, developing resistance to bacteria, viruses and infections.

Rooibos is beneficial for the human digestive system. It promotes the quality of the gastrointestinal tract. Drinking tea helps improve appetite, as well as eliminate stomach colic and pain in the abdomen.

Rooibos is good for the cardiovascular system. Regular consumption of the drink helps normalize blood pressure. This tea also has other medicinal properties:

stabilizes blood cholesterol levels,
strengthens the walls of blood vessels,
forms the strength and elasticity of capillaries,
reduces the risk of heart disease,
improves the condition of veins.

Antioxidants in rooibos rejuvenate tissue at the cellular level and slow down the aging process. The tea drink is very beneficial for women. It invigorates and rejuvenates the body.

The rooibos plant contains about 90 types of aromatic oils. The tea leaf, despite the heat treatment process, retains essential substances.

Application of traditional medicine and cosmetology

The beneficial properties of this plant make it suitable for use for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Rooibos is used in alternative medicine for the treatment and prevention of certain diseases. Decoctions and infusions of this plant are taken orally and used as an external remedy in the form of lotions, compresses and washes.

Folk remedies based on rooibos

Also, tea decoction helps eliminate diseases such as:

dermatitis,
skin pathologies,
irritation,
allergic rashes.

Recommended to take health baths with rooibos solution. To prepare it, take 2 tbsp. l. tea leaves, pour two glasses of boiling water over them and let it brew for 20 minutes. Add the resulting product to a bath filled with water. Such wellness procedures are useful for colds, a tendency to frequent stress and severe fatigue.

For skin diseases You can use an infusion of the leaves of the plant. It is prepared as follows:

1 tsp. pour tea raw materials with two glasses of boiling water.
Cover with a lid and let sit until completely cool.
Next, strain thoroughly.
Take a cotton pad and soak it in the infusion.
Apply discs in the form of lotions to the affected area of skin.

This method is effective for rashes, inflammation, allergic reactions, as well as skin diseases such as dermatitis and eczema.

Rooibos tea is excellent means of losing weight. It is recommended to be used as a supplement to the diet. This drink removes excess fluid and rids the body of waste and toxins. I recommend taking it several times a day to improve digestion and normalize metabolism.

Rooibos in cosmetology

In cosmetology, rooibos is used as a cosmetic product for skin and hair care. At home, it is recommended to wipe your face with tea infusion. To do this, brew tea in the usual way and let it brew. Then filter and use the resulting decoction as a lotion for wiping the face.

Scientists have found that extracts from rooibos leaves stimulate hair growth and improve its structure.

For elasticity and youthfulness of the skin tea decoction frozen in ice cube trays. Frozen cubes are used to wipe the face daily. This product improves skin tone, filling it with radiance and youth.

Rooibos infusion used as lotions for the skin around the eyes. To do this, soak a cotton pad in the infusion and apply it to the eyes. This product relieves signs of fatigue and also gets rid of bags and dark circles under the eyes.

How to brew rooibos tea correctly?

The technology for brewing tea raw materials is quite simple. This requires 1 tsp. dry tea leaves, which must be filled with 250 ml of boiling water (temperature 90-95 degrees). For brewing, it is better to use a porcelain or earthenware teapot.

The tea must be steeped under the lid for five minutes. To achieve a richer taste - about 10 minutes. Since the tea leaf is very rich and strong, one serving of rooibos can be brewed 2-3 times.

There are various recipes for rooibos tea:

with citruses,
berry,
with milk,
with candied fruits,
with spices,
chocolate,
vanilla.

Moreover, the famous South African native Carl Pretorius created a unique coffee based on rooibos. The famous rooibos espresso looks like a coffee drink, but its production does not require coffee beans, but selected tea leaves. Thanks to a special technology based on the blurring of tea grains, coffee acquires a special strength and a bright, rich taste.

A tea drink with various additives is quite easy and quick to prepare at home if you follow the rules. According to citrus rooibos recipe we will need:

orange - 1 piece;
lemon - 1 piece;
fresh sage - 4 leaves;
loose leaf rooibos tea - 1 tbsp. l.

Rooibos tea drink can also be used chilled. It perfectly invigorates and fills with energy.

Cold Berry Rooibos Recipe somewhat different from the previous one. It will require the following ingredients:

water - 350 ml;
rooibos - 1 tbsp. l.;
strawberries - 6 pcs;
honeysuckle - 10 pcs;
honey - 2 tsp.

We wash the berries, knead them a little and put them in a teapot. Add tea leaves and natural honey there. Pour boiling water over everything and let it brew for 10 minutes. Strain the finished drink and cool it. Add honey if desired.

Also, lovers of dairy drinks will like it rooibos with milk. To brew such tea, you need to stock up on the appropriate ingredients:

rooibos - 3 tbsp. l;
milk - 400 ml;
natural honey - 2 tbsp. l.

Pour the tea into an enamel container, add 250 ml of water and bring to a boil. Add milk and honey. Stir and bring to a boil again, then strain.

Contraindications for use

Rooibos tea is considered a very healthy and safe drink. It causes virtually no side effects, but requires moderate use. It is important to pay attention to the contraindications of the drink to avoid side effects.

Rooibos is contraindicated for:

Iron deficiency in the body.
Individual intolerance to the components included in the tea.
Tendency to allergic reactions.

The tea contains substances that prevent the absorption of this microelement from food entering the body, therefore it is not recommended to drink robusha tea if you are anemic.

During pregnancy and lactation, you do not have to give up the drink. Rooibos does not contain caffeine and is considered very beneficial for pregnant and nursing mothers. During lactation, you need to monitor the baby’s well-being, since it is impossible to predict the reaction of the child’s body to the components contained in tea.

How to choose and how to store?

Julia Vern 43 514 6

Rooibos tea, or rooibos, got its name from the shrub of the same name that grows in South Africa - African rooibos, from the leaves and young stems of which tea raw materials are made.

Tea appeared in Russia relatively recently, but in its homeland it is a classic, most common type of drink that everyone drinks, everywhere and without any restrictions. The second country in the world in terms of the prevalence of rooibos is, oddly enough, Japan, which is still considered the country of classic tea.

The first place on the map where rooibos infusion has long been used by local aborigines - the Khoi-Khoi tribe - is the Cape of Good Hope, which is the most extreme southwestern point of the African continent. The Indians used the plant for a variety of purposes - to treat many diseases, quench thirst, and as a dye.

Europe learned the taste of an infusion from an African plant only at the beginning of the 20th century, when the famous merchant of overseas goods, B. Ginsberg, decided to make a bold attempt to sell rooibos in England. Surprisingly, the attempt was quite successful - sales of rooibos skyrocketed literally in a matter of months, as did its prices - demand many times exceeded supply throughout the European part of the continent.

Rooibos is a heat-loving plant, and is unable to grow anywhere else except in its homeland, so South Africa became a monopolist in the supply of rooibos raw materials, which continues to this day. Since the early 30s, entire rooibos plantations have been cultivated, and in 1954, a special government department was created to control the production and export of raw materials. The scale of exports is impressive - about 6,000 tons go to different countries; Germany is the leader in rooibos imports.

What is rooibos?

As mentioned above, rooibos is a shrub plant that grows in the southern latitudes of the African continent; in appearance, like all plants in hot latitudes, it looks rather modest. The central trunk of the bush is smooth, starting to branch almost from the surface of the ground. The leaves are thin, more like soft needles, about 10 mm in length, and can grow singly or in bunches. The total height of the bush reaches no more than 1.5 m.

Leaves and tender shoots of the upper branches are often used as tea raw materials; coarser trunks are processed for technical needs.

Rooibos cultivation in South Africa occurs on an industrial scale; about a third of the total working population of South Africa, including children, work on rooibos plantations. Few farms can boast of an abundance of technical equipment, so all work is done almost manually.

Collecting red bush seeds is particularly difficult. As befits all legumes, rooibos seeds are contained in their own pod, which contains only one seed, which flies out at the speed of a bullet when ripe. When trying to collect immature pods and then ripen them, it is possible to achieve too low a percentage of “survival” of the seeds, so there is nothing else to do but look for seeds scattered throughout the field. For this purpose, the top layer of dry African soil is very often sifted and nearby termite mounds are examined.

Sowing of rooibos begins in February in nurseries, and by the beginning of June, seedlings are planted in open ground. The harvest is collected only from bushes two years old, cutting off the tops of the upper branches, tied into bunches and delivered to the factory, where they are sorted and cut into identical parts, no more than 5 cm long.

The next stage is the production of red (fermented) tea raw materials and green (non-fermented). To stop the fermentation process in green rooibos, it is treated with hot steam under high pressure. The drink made from such raw materials is light, transparent, and has a more delicate taste. Fermented raw materials give the tea a richer red color, thoroughly saturated with the hot African sun.

Sorting of raw materials occurs in only two directions - high-grade raw materials intended for export, and low-grade raw materials for use within the country. For high-grade tea, clean, long leaves, undamaged by insects, and intact are selected. The remains with scrap leaves and parts of branches are used for packaging low-grade raw materials.

Composition and benefits of rooibos tea

The scrupulous Japanese could not ignore one of their favorite drinks - a number of studies were conducted on the beneficial properties of rooibos tea raw materials. The results of Japanese research have brought some resonance to the prevailing opinion about the composition of the drink. It turned out that neither the raw materials nor the finished drink contain a single gram of vitamin C, and the amount of microelements is so small that it does not even cover a quarter of a person’s daily need for them. Potassium, sodium, calcium and traces of iron, zinc fluorine and copper were found in the raw materials.

Interesting to know!
The absence of caffeine in rooibos has been proven, so rooibos tea is of interest to people for whom caffeine consumption is contraindicated.

The amount of easily digestible monosaccharides, such as glucose, fructose, is sufficient to avoid adding sugar to the finished drink - the tea tastes quite sweet. However, it all depends on the individual preferences of the person.

In terms of antioxidant content, the finished rooibos drink is about half as big as even classic green tea. Antioxidants are chemical substances of different chemical structures that are capable of binding and removing in an inactive state the toxic decay products of pathological foci in the body, which often have an acidic environment. In other words, antioxidants prevent the oxidation of toxins, thereby reducing their harmful effects. One should not hope that regular consumption of rooibos will become a panacea for all diseases, but, of course, as an additional means of cleansing the body, it will have its effect.

Rooibos contains compounds that have an antispasmodic effect on the smooth muscles of the intestines, alleviating flatulence and constipation, thus it can be used in children aged 6 months and older, after prior consultation with a pediatrician.

The relaxing effect also extends to the smooth muscles lining the lumens of large blood vessels, thereby achieving the effect of lowering blood pressure.

A significant amount of essential oils give the finished drink a unique aroma and taste, providing a calming and tonic effect, but here it is also necessary to take into account the individual preferences of the person.

Rooibos tea contraindications

Given the high glucose content, rooibos tea is not recommended for diabetes mellitus without prior consultation with your doctor;
People with low blood pressure need to drink tea in strictly limited quantities - a further decrease in pressure will lead to disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system, and, as a result, a decrease in the urinary and urinary functions of the kidneys. Against the background of an increased volume of fluid in the body, the formation of edema, drowsiness, lethargy, and chronic fatigue are possible;
The finished drink has a rather specific smell and taste, which is not accepted by every body, so before the first use, it is better to keep the volume of tea to a minimum, also for the reason that many chemical compounds can cause allergic reactions in an unprepared body.

Making rooibos tea

Infusing rooibos tea is not particularly original or complicated - brew rooibos should be similar to brewing regular tea at the rate of 1-2 teaspoons of dry tea per glass of the finished drink.

Due to their nature, rooibos leaves contain a large amount of strong fibers, which makes it much more difficult to extract substances from the leaf into the liquid, so it is recommended to infuse rooibos for at least 15 minutes. For the same reason, repeated infusion or even preparation of a decoction is allowed. In this case, boiling should be carried out for no more than 5 minutes.

There is a way to make espresso from rooibos raw materials in a coffee maker. Why is a separate high-quality rooibos variety used? The method was patented by its author, Karl Pretorius, who, without stopping there, developed other types of rooibos “coffee” - red cappuccino, red latte and others.

Not everyone knows about a drink like rooibos, but after familiarizing themselves with its properties and benefits for the body, they will certainly rush to try it.

Initially, rooibos herb was used for brewing tea only by aborigines of African tribes, and in Europe they learned about this amazing plant only in the 20th century. Now you can buy it in any store and regularly prepare a delicious, healthy drink.

Rooibos or rooibos - what is this product?

The name of the tea drink is given by the name of the plant that became its basis. The African shrub rooibos, or rooibos, which means “red bush”, has very aromatic leaves and twigs - a wonderful tea raw material.

The legume family shrub is now gaining popularity all over the world; it is cultivated everywhere. The most common use of rooibos tea is in South Africa, many other African countries, as well as in Japan, where everything natural and healthy is valued.

Rooibos comes in two shades - red and green, for which different processing methods are used. Cut young leaves and branches are crushed, immediately steamed, and the finished raw material will be green.

If, after harvesting, the greens are sent for fermentation, the rooibos will be red. The taste is herbaceous, delicate, red – sweetish, with woody notes.

Rooibos tea composition

The benefits of rooibos are undeniable - this plant contains a huge amount of antioxidants that prolong youth, suppress the effects of free radicals, and prevent the formation of tumors.

These are vitamins C and E, nine flavonoids (including aspalathin, quercetin, nothofagin), and a number of enzymatic antioxidants. Of the latter, superoxide dismutase is especially effective, thanks to which rooibos extract is produced and used in medicine.

The mineral composition of the plant is rich. There is:

Potassium;
Sodium;
Iron;
Fluorine;
Manganese;
Magnesium;
Calcium;
Zinc;
Copper.

The rooibos drink contains rutin, vitamin A, vitamin PP, about a hundred aromatic oils, eight phenolcarboxylic acids, and phytoncides. Rooibos also contains glucose, so even children will like a drink made from it because of its pleasant sweetness.

Rooibos tea - beneficial properties and contraindications

The antioxidant properties of tea raw materials make it suitable for medicinal purposes for allergies, intoxications, for removing waste and toxins, and for general cleansing of the body.

The drink is suitable as a prophylactic against cancer, to prolong a person’s youth and activity.

Rooibos is good for the nervous system - it relieves insomnia, reduces the excitability of the central nervous system, eliminates the effects of stress, helps with depression, decreased memory and attention.

Cardiovascular pathologies also reduce their severity with regular consumption of the drink:

Blood pressure normalizes;
The walls of blood vessels are strengthened;
Cholesterol levels return to normal;
The condition of veins with varicose veins improves.

Skin diseases also go away from drinking the tea drink, especially eczema, allergic rash, dermatitis. Rooibos promotes good digestion - relieves colic, stomach pain, regulates stool, improves appetite.

The beneficial properties of rooibos tea are useful for metabolic disorders, especially diabetes and urolithiasis. As an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent, tea is suitable for ARVI, cough, flu, sore throat, and colds.

Rooibus for beauty

This amazing plant is widely used not only in medicine and nutrition, but also in cosmetology. It rejuvenates the skin, tones it, restores freshness, and removes signs of fatigue. You can use rooibos in this way:

Brew the drink in the usual way, pour into ice trays. Freeze the tea. Use ice to rub the skin instead of toner.
Prepare a drink and wash your face with it morning and evening to moisturize your skin.
Apply rooibos tea bags soaked in cool water to your eyelids for dark circles.

If you rinse your hair with a tea drink after washing, it will grow thick and healthy. Adding tea to a warm bath will help relieve tired legs and make your body skin smooth and toned.

Contraindications for rooibos consumption

The benefits and harms of rooibos tea have been well studied. There are very few prohibitions on its consumption, mainly due to individual intolerance (rare).

You need to be careful when drinking tea with low blood pressure so as not to bring it down to too low numbers.

The drink does not contain caffeine, so rooibos is not contraindicated during pregnancy. On the contrary, during gestation the product will help to better absorb iron, promote hematopoiesis, and enrich the body with vitamins and minerals. It is also allowed for use by children and nursing women.

How to brew rooibos (rooibos)

Tea raw materials can be brewed more than once, while it gives off its taste and does not lose its healing properties. Therefore, within a day, one serving of rooibos can make up to 4 cups of a delicious drink. The procedure is as follows:

Take a porcelain or glass teapot.
Rinse the kettle with boiling water.
Add rooibos.
Fill with water 95 degrees ( a glass for every teaspoon of raw material).
Close the kettle with a lid and place in a warm place for 7 minutes.

You can drink rooibos with honey, lemon, cold or hot.

Recipes with rooibos

Experiments with making rooibos-based drinks can be endless. For example, Masai rooibos tea has the following composition:

Rooibos;
Lemongrass (herb);

In specialized tea stores there is a larger selection of rooibos, including with a variety of additives. The cost of the product is moderate, sometimes an order of magnitude lower than expensive varieties of green and black tea, which makes rooibos even more affordable!

And now the video.

Rooibos, the national African drink, is one of the healthiest teas. In its homeland it is called the elixir of the Bushmen. According to legend, rooibos is a gift from the gods that brings eternal youth and health. At the same time, no contraindications have been identified for taking the drink, which has a lot of healing properties.

Composition and beneficial properties

This exotic drink is not at all like tea in the usual sense. Rooibos is a legume shrub with needle-like leaves. Translated, the name sounds like “red bush”. Interestingly, not only leaves are used for its production, but even twigs and buds. And it tastes more like an unsweetened thick compote with a herbal undertone than traditional tea.

Rooibos is divided into red and green. To prepare the latter, the leaves and branches are simply steamed. This tea is lighter in color and has a lighter taste. To obtain red, the raw materials are fermented and dried in the sun. It has a corresponding shade and a more tart, sweetish taste. By the way, this is what they prefer in Africa.

Rooibos plantations can only be seen in southern Africa - the homeland of the bush.

The rooibos shrub does not take root on any continent other than its native one, and still grows only in southern Africa.

One cup of tea (3 grams per 200 milliliters of water) contains:

In addition, it contains vitamins C, A, B1, B2, B5, B6, B12, D, E and essential oils.

Due to its composition, rooibos benefits in many ways:

The antibacterial properties of tea help with problems with the digestive system and allergies.
Natural tetracycline has an expectorant effect, so the drink is good for colds and coughs.
Magnesium and potassium help improve the health of the heart and blood vessels, so tea is suitable for use with high blood pressure.
The antioxidants contained in rooibos preserve youth.
Glucose provides the body with energy.
Thanks to calcium, tea prevents tooth decay and strengthens bones.
The high content of sodium and potassium ensures the maintenance of mineral balance in the body, which is especially important for athletes and people with heavy physical work.
Copper strengthens the nervous system and normalizes metabolism.

Among other benefits, rooibos is used as a hangover remedy. According to some reports, this wonderful property of the drink was discovered and began to be used by Europeans living in Africa.

Rooibos is also sold with various fruit and herbal additives. The main thing when buying is to pay attention to the fact that the main part is the tea itself.

Video: Talk about the benefits of an African drink

Brewing Features

Brewing rooibos is very simple: you just need to take one teaspoon of tea per 200–250 milliliters of water. The raw materials are poured with boiling water. For optimal dissolution of beneficial substances in water, you need to wait 10 minutes, the minimum brewing time is 4 minutes. And if you wait half an hour, you will get a drink with the most intense taste.

The same raw material can be brewed up to 4 times.

Video: How to brew rooibos?

Nuances of use

Normal for an adult

African miracle tea can be drunk both in the morning and at night. It should be noted that rooibos in large quantities can lower blood pressure. For it to be beneficial, it is better to consume 2-4 cups per day, depending on individual characteristics.

This drink is drunk both hot and cold. To diversify its taste, you can dip berries, pieces of fruit, cinnamon into a cup, or mix rooibos with herbal tea. Some people use it with sugar, jam or honey. The latter can be washed down or dissolved in the drink itself. Rooibos can be combined with any flavoring additives - it all depends only on preferences and imagination.

Unlike black and green teas, rooibos does not contain tannin and caffeine, so it can be consumed without fear if you have high blood pressure, heart and vascular diseases, pregnancy and during breastfeeding.

You can eat rooibos with any fruit and berries.

For diseases (gastritis, pancreatitis, etc.)

For diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - such as gastritis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis - rooibos is prescribed in complex treatment. In these cases, the amount of tea allowed for consumption is the same as for healthy people.
For diabetes mellitus, doctors advise drinking tea because it satisfies the need for sweets without causing harm to health. The daily amount is the same: 2–4 cups per day.
For people with cardiovascular diseases, the drink is harmless, and with high blood pressure it is recommended to drink it systematically (3-4 cups per day).

During pregnancy and breastfeeding

The tea does not contain oxalic acid, which contributes to the formation of kidney stones. Since while expecting a child, a woman’s risk of developing this disease increases, it would be useful to replace the usual drinks with rooibos. And thanks to its beneficial composition, doctors even recommend it as an alternative to nutritional supplements indicated during pregnancy. It can be drunk during all 9 months, as well as during breastfeeding. However, the amount of rooibos consumed should be limited to approximately two cups per day.

When losing weight

Rooibos has a sweet taste because it contains glucose, and this quality can be used when losing weight when you want to eat something. Moreover, a cup of this tea contains only 16 kcal.

Rooibos for children

Rooibos is even prescribed to infants for colic and for restful sleep, as it has an antispasmodic effect. For this purpose, tea should be brewed weakly and given to the child in small quantities.

The drink will be useful for children at any age. Not only because of its properties, but also because it is delicious to drink without sugar. But it is better for a child under 12 years of age to consume no more than 2 cups of rooibos per day.

Dr. Annick Theron first learned about the beneficial properties of tea for babies in 1968. Her little daughter suffered from allergies, and Annick gave her some of this drink. After taking it, the girl calmed down, and the next day the irritation from the allergy subsided. Dr. Theron devoted several years to research and found that rooibos has a healing, calming effect, relieves insomnia and colic. The result of the work done was her book “Allergy: An Amazing Discovery.”

Rooibos is useful not only for expectant and nursing mothers, but also for babies

Using tea in home cosmetology

This amazing drink is useful both when taken internally and when used externally:

It is recommended to wipe your face with it instead of any tonic. It rejuvenates the skin and, with constant use, makes the tone smoother.
The drink also has a positive effect on curls. It should be used as a rinse after washing your hair. Rooibos is also believed to promote hair growth.
You can take baths with tea to relax, get rid of stress and improve the condition of your body skin.

Compresses for eyes

Rooibos eye compresses will relieve dark circles, fine wrinkles and swelling. You can make them regular or contrasting. Brew a strong infusion of rooibos: 2 teaspoons per half cup of boiling water. Use the resulting drink in one of two ways:

Regular compress. Wait for the brew to cool, then wet the cotton pads and place them on the area around the eyes. You need to keep the applications for 5-10 minutes.
Contrasting. Divide the brew in half, keep one part in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes or add an ice cube to it. First apply cotton pads with warm infusion for 1 minute, and then apply a cooled compress for the same time. Do 5-6 alternations, ending with a cold compress.

Do not cool the tea leaves too much! Ice compresses should not be applied to the eyeball area. The optimal temperature is 15–18 degrees.

After the procedure, wash the eye area with cool water and apply eye cream. Regular compresses can be done daily, as needed. It is better to use the contrast method 1-2 times a week.

Face masks

Rooibos can be added to any homemade masks. For example, based on cottage cheese

Rooibos in masks will help with problem skin, relieve acne, allergies, irritation and redness. It is recommended to mix 1-2 spoons of tea with any home remedy for your face.

For dry skin: combine 100 grams of honey and 2 tablespoons of strong rooibos infusion. Keep this mask on your face for 15–20 minutes and then rinse thoroughly. The product will soften the skin well.
For problematic: mix 1 beaten egg yolk, 2 tablespoons of strong tea leaves, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Leave this mask on your face for 15–20 minutes, it will make the skin more matte and soothe it.
For normal: take 2 tablespoons of cottage cheese or 3 tablespoons of kefir or sour cream and 2 tablespoons of tea and apply to your face for 15–20 minutes. The mask will refresh the skin and even out its tone.

To achieve the desired effect, use masks 1-2 times a week.

In the homeland of rooibos, the product is used as a powder for diaper rash in babies. To do this, the tea is ground to a powder.

Contraindications and possible harm

Today this is very rare, but no contraindications have been found for the use of the drink, except for individual intolerance. The only downside is that tea may not be to everyone's taste.