Rooibos Tea: A Summer Super Drink

With the warm days of summer upon us I don’t always feel like hot tea, coffee or other beverages that sound so good on a cold, rainy day or during a snow storm.  I also recently cut way back on coffee and other caffeinated drinks for a change of pace and have been drinking lots of rooibos tea lately which got me thinking maybe I should expand on the benefits of this wonderful tea. 

 

Rooibos is a South African herb that is dried and made into tea.  There 2 varieties, a green and a red one.  The red has been oxidized while the green has not.  While both are packed with nutrients the green has more because of its lack of oxidation but is also more expensive and less easy to find.

 

As I mentioned above Rooibos tea is a nutrient powerhouse. It contains high levels of

 

-iron

-calcium

-potassium

-copper

-manganese

-zinc

-magnesium

 

It is also caffeine free which can make it an attractive alternative to coffee.  Its flavor is semi-sweet with a somewhat grassy twinge.  I really like the vanilla flavored variety provided you can find an organic vanilla flavoring. Here in Eau Claire, WI that means Just Local Foods, who carry a variety of organic teas. 

 

Rooibos tea has also been purported to have many additional health benefits including

 

• Reduces heart disease by providing protection through ACE inhibition

• Contains quercetin and luteolin, which are known to have cancer fighting qualities

• Is an anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-mutagenic and anti-spasmodic

• Eases nervous tension, allergies and digestive problems

• Limits uric acid production, which can help gout sufferers

• Soothes asthma and eczema

• Boosts the immune system

• Cures nagging headaches

• Fights insomnia

• Strengthens bones and teeth

• Relieves severe stomach cramps

• Eases hypertension/lowers blood pressure

• Is considered to have anti-aging properties

• Prevents DNA damage

• Suppresses fasting glucose levels

• Improves glucose uptake and insulin secretions after a meal

• Aids in liver tissue regeneration

• Acts as a bronchodilator

• Has no known side-effects

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035923_coffee_rooibos_energy.html#ixzz2Wfw95y7S

 

Rooibos is great iced so brew it up and throw it in the fridge for a few hours before enjoying it how you would normally enjoy any summer beverage!

 

Sources for this article:

http://www.naturalnews.com/Infographic-Benefits-of-Rooibos-Tea.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/035923_coffee_rooibos_energy.html

 

http://www.teavana.com/tea-info/rooibos-tea