What would you say about a tea that is naturally caffeine-free, low in tannins, and may even prevent age-related oxidation of the brain??? This almost sounds like something that is too good to be true?? Well, guess again--it's not!!

For centuries, tea has been considered the healthy alternative to coffee. There is now increased attention to the herbal teas, or "tisanes" and the many benefits they give the health conscious consumer.

One new tisane being studied is Rooibos. (pronounced "roy-boss") Rooibos is known as the red tea or the red bush tea because of the color of the needle like leaves which grow on bushes exclusively in the Cedarburg Mountains of the Cape of South Africa. With a slightly fruity, sweet taste, this tisane brews a liquor that is naturally caffeine-free and has been used for centuries by South Africans for it's legendary healing properties. It is a wonderful healing herb known as Aspalathus linearis. Like green and black tea, this herbal tea is high in antioxidants that may prevent cancers, strokes, and heart disease. Rich in vitamins, flavonoids, and minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium, the popularity of Rooibos is growing rapidly. Some studies suggest that Rooibos has significant amounts of Vitamin C. What we do know is that it contains more polyphenols than green tea.

It's credited with easing headaches and another highly reported benefit has been the management of allergies like hayfever, asthma, and eczema. It has a soothing effect on the skin when applied directly, giving relief for diaper rash and other skin irritations, and even sunburn. Drinking Rooibos promotes healthy skin, too. Maybe it is because Rooibos contains zinc and alphahydroxy acid.

The red bush tisane is also thought to be soothing to expectant mothers and colicky infants. Studies have shown that Rooibos contains anti-spasmodic agents, which can relieve stomach cramping and colic in infants.

Rooibos is a wonderful bedtime drink and is reccomended for people suffering from disturbed sleeping patterns, insomnia, nervous tension, mild depression and hypertension, as it contains no caffeine and has a soothing effect on the central nervous system. Laboratory studies have found that Rooibos tea contains significant amounts of polyphenol antioxidants, including flavonoids and phenoic acids. These antioxidants play an important role in preventing age-related oxidative damage as well as damage caused by free radicals. Green Rooibos is said to have 10 times more Aspalatin, which is a flavonoid found only in Rooibos.

It is popular among athletes as a source of fluid replacement and is documented to provide measurable amounts of minerals and electrolytes. Rooibos is used by South African athletes as a sports drink. Because Rooibos is caffeine-free, it is a wonderful beverage for people of all ages, and is especially refreshing and thirst quenching during the hot humid months of summer.

Research shows that Rooibos has more antioxidants than Green tea. The longer you brew Rooibos, the stronger the antioxidants become. The infusion will not become bitter even if you brew it for more than 4-10 minutes.

But there's more to Rooibos than just tea! You can use it in all kinds of drinks, appetizers, dinners, desserts, and more! Prepared Rooibos tea can replace the liquid in any recipe. Simply replace water with brewed Rooibos tea-for best results double the amount of tea you use to brew (two bags per cup of water) When baking your favorite bread try adding prepared Rooibos tea instead of water. When cooking meat, Rooibos is a natural tenderizer. Soups, stews and sauces can be color and flavor enhanced by Rooibos.

Here is a recipe for a Rooibos Cooler:

Ingredients:
1-2 Tablespoons Rooibos
1 Quart Water
1 small orange studded with about 8 cloves

Preparation:
Roll orange on flat surface or microwave for a few seconds to free the juice and then stick the cloves in the orange.
Steep the tea for at least 4 minutes and put in a glass container that is at least one quart in size
Add the studded orange and let all cool overnight
Refrigerate when the liquid has cooled sufficiently
Chill well and serve in iced tea glasses with a slice of orange and a stick of cinnamon if you like.

Rooibos has increased in popularity not only because of all the great things it can do for your health but it is also good to drink.

The next time you are looking for the perfect drink to quench your thirst or for a soothing cup of tea to help you relax, give Rooibos a try. Red, Green, flavored or plain, Rooibos is a special treat from nature that has all the right stuff.

Labels: beverage, black tea, caffeine free, cinnamon, coffee, green tea, organic, Rooibos, tannins, tea, teas, tisane, white tea