Unlocking the Benefits of Rooibos Tea: Health, Taste, and Easy Recipe

About The Tea I What does Rooibos Tea Taste Like? I 7 Benefits of Rooibos Tea I Side Effects of Rooibos Tea I Classic Hot Rooibos Tea Recipe

About The Tea

Aspalathus linearis, an endemic South African fynbos species, is cultivated to produce rooibos -the well-known herbal tea. Its caffeine-free and comparatively low tannin status, combined with its potential health-promoting properties, most notably antioxidant activity, has contributed to its popularity and is therefore a smarter choice for many health conscious people around the world. (1)

What does Rooibos Tea Taste Like?

Rooibos tea is naturally slightly sweet with caramel, floral, honey

and woody undertones. (2)

7 Benefits Of Rooibos Tea

There are many potential benefits of Rooibos, stating a few here that are sourced from research paper facts :

• Helps Alleviate Cough & Cold : Sore throats and other aches and pains that are characteristics of cold and flu, could also benefit from Rooibos tea. Drinking the tea will keep your throat moist and help to reduce irritation.

• Weight Management : Rooibos tea has zero calories, so this is a good beverage option for people who are trying to lose weight. Rooibos tea may also help with weight loss because it increases leptin levels, which is a hormone released from fat cells that regulates appetite by sending signals to the brain that enough food has been consumed. Rooibos tea inhibits the formation of new fat cells and increases fat metabolism.

• Anti-Ageing : It contains 50 times more antioxidants than regular green tea. Rooibos’ anti-ageing properties come from antioxidants which assist with reducing wrinkles and promote the production of healthy skin cells. According to a study by the International Journal of Cosmetic Science in 2010, 20 women who took the rooibos challenge for four weeks reported that their wrinkles reduced by 9.9%. The antioxidants can help neutralize free radicals, which are responsible for causing wrinkles.

• Bone Health : Rooibos tea helps improve osteoblast and an osteoblast activity builds the bone. (3) While many teas contain these essential minerals that help protect healthy bones and prevent diseases such as osteoporosis and arthritis, rooibos contains two other compounds that are even more beneficial to bone health. The flavonoids luteolin and orientin, contained in rooibos, have been shown to have the potential to increase mineral content in bones. (4)

Side Effects of Rooibos Tea

• Medications for high blood pressure (ACE inhibitors) interacts with Rooibos.

• People with excess body heat should also limit its usage to winter months.

• Some chemicals in rooibos tea can mimic the effects of estrogen or may promote the synthesis of estrogen in the body. People with estrogen-sensitive cancer such as breast cancer should avoid drinking rooibos tea or talk to a doctor before consumption.

Classic Hot Rooibos Tea Recipe

Here's a simple and delicious rooibos tea recipe that you can enjoy hot on a wintry or rainy day:

Ingredients:

1. 1 teaspoon of loose rooibos tea

2. 1 cup (240 ml) boiling water

3. 2 cardamom pods

4. A pinch of cinnamon

5. Some freshly grated ginger

6. Honey or sugar, to taste (optional)

7. Lemon slice

Instructions:

1. Bring a cup of water to a rolling boil.
   

2. Add one teaspoon of rooibos to it

3. Add two cardamom pods

4. A pinch of cinnamon

5. Add some freshly grated ginger

6. Let it steep for 5-7 minutes. Rooibos tea doesn’t become bitter with longer steeping, so you can leave it longer if you prefer a stronger flavor.
   

7. Pour the steeped tea into a cup and add honey or sugar to taste if you like your tea sweet.

8. A few drops of lemon juice for a citrusy flavor.
   

9. Stir well and enjoy your hot rooibos tea!

This recipe is easy to prepare and can be customized with your favorite sweeteners. Enjoy the soothing, naturally caffeine-free goodness of rooibos tea!