The move towards healthier living – from sugary, caffeinated drinks to herbal teas rich in antioxidants – is a social media trend that has encouraged a new group of health enthusiasts to try out and share the healthy products they consume.
You may be one of these enthusiasts wanting to indulge in a caffeine-free drink that will help you improve your health and combat disease, but what tea will help you to achieve that? Studies from the Tea Industry Landscape Report 2018 show that most people prefer green tea, but is it really the healthiest choice? According to the study, green tea contains caffeine, which somewhat diminishes its appeal amongst consumers focused on healthier living. Green Rooibos is a relatively new product gaining in popularity due to its caffeine-free nature, and possesses all the health benefits of traditional green tea, which include the elevation of energy levels as well as the promotion of digestive health.
Aspalathin is what makes Rooibos a unique and preferred herbal tea. It is found in high quantities in the green Rooibos leaf and plays a role in the therapeutic properties of Rooibos that can benefit your health.
Adele du Toit, spokesperson for The South African Rooibos Council, shares the top health benefits of Rooibos…
ALSO SEE: 5 Health Benefits Of Drinking Rooibos Tea
Caffeine-free
Since Rooibos is naturally caffeine-free, it is healthier than consuming multiple cups of coffee or black tea a day, which are most likely to cause anxiety and high blood pressure.
Low in tannin
Tannins are astringent, bitter tasting plant polyphenols that bind and precipitate proteins and interfere with iron absorption in the body.
Serves as a Reliever
Rooibos has the ability to relieve allergies, sleep disorders, digestive problems and headaches.
Fight against Obesity and Diabetes
Rooibos assists in the fight against obesity and diabetes, since it is naturally a sweet tasting drink and therefore doesn’t require additional sugar. It suppresses the occurrence of compounds which have been considered to be casual factors of insulin resistance and obesity.
Helps against high cholesterol
It can help someone who suffers from high cholesterol – by reducing the bad cholesterol and increasing the good cholesterol.
Soothes infant colic
According to Rooibos Limited, many physicians, especially in South Africa, recommend Rooibos to soothe infant colic.
Heart function
It prevents the dying of cells and increases the cleaning out of dead cells – in other words, it acts as a buffer against fibrosis (the thickening and scarring of connective tissue) of the heart muscle, by delaying the process of developing apoptosis (death of cells which occurs as a normal and controlled part of an organism’s growth or development) in the heart and improving the body’s natural process of disposing damaged cells in the heart.
Anti-anxiety remedy
It contains anti-anxiety soothing properties.
TRY THIS: Spicy Ginger And Orange Biscuits With Rooibos Custard Recipe
How many cups should you have a day?
According to the Rooibos Council Newsletter 2019, about six cups a day are good for you. It will not only help ensure that your heart muscle is protected, but it will also assist in breaking down the fatty acids and fatty acid oxidation. It also assists in removing inflamed and damaged precancerous cells.
Rooibos at-home beauty treatments
Did you know that your favourite tea can be used as an at-home beauty remedy? According to The South African Rooibos Council, it is a great alternative to a skin freshener, so you can substitute water with lukewarm Rooibos as a face wash for a more organic beauty product. Here are other ways to use it:
- For beautiful shinny hair, rinse with strong Rooibos to give it that gorgeous shine.
- For tired and sensitive eyes, press your eyes gently with cotton pads dipped in lukewarm Rooibos.
- You can also treat acne with the following: mix- a cup of strong, warm Rooibos, one teaspoon apple cider vinegar and two teaspoons oatmeal or gluten-free flour. Cool until lukewarm and apply over your face. Lie down and relax for 15 minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm Rooibs. Press dry gently.
By Naidy Tembane
