Health benefits of rooibos tea and why it’s one of the best substitutes for tea and coffee to reduce adrenal-depleting stimulants in the diet.
I love tea! Like many foodies, my tea cabinet is overflowing with various types so I can always find the right one to fit whatever the need may be at that particular moment.
A little congested? A cup of alfalfa or stinging nettle tea work well due to their natural antihistamine properties.
Stressed out? A cup of chamomile tea will calm you down in no time.
So, where does rooibos fit in?
Rooibos: Herbal Gem from Africa
A cup of rooibos tea, also known as red or redbush tea is one of my favorite caffeine-free beverages.
While I love green tea, I can’t drink it every day as I am so sensitive to caffeine.
Even small amounts on a daily basis can weaken the adrenals sometimes with odd symptoms and contribute to early afternoon fatigue or worse over time.
I really can only enjoy caffeinated tea occasionally. Have you noticed how a daily dose of caffeine quickly develops into a habit if you’re not especially careful?
I don’t prefer decaffeinated black or green tea because, to me, this is an unnatural over-processing of these herbs. They just don’t taste the same in my opinion.
I would rather choose a tea that is naturally caffeine free.
Rooibos tea (my preferred source) is native to the continent of Africa and is primarily grown in South Africa’s Western Cape.
Local people have traditionally used it for centuries.
Dutch settlers in South Africa used it as an alternative to expensive black tea whose supply was dependent on trading ships from Europe.
Flavor and Nutrition
Red tea has an earthy and slightly nutty flavor. The first time I tried a cup, I didn’t really care for it much to be honest!
Rooibos definitely grows on you after a while, and now, I simply love it!
One of the biggest flavor bonuses is that unlike black or green teas, matcha and yerba maté, rooibos does not become bitter.
Instead, it becomes sweeter with an even more enjoyable flavor with extended brewing.
Thus, it is especially enjoyable as a therapeutic herbal infusion that is brewed overnight.
My favorite way to enjoy it socially is with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top, a la red tea latte.
Health Benefits
Rooibos’ benefits primarily revolve around the fact that it is naturally decaffeinated and loaded with antioxidants.
Scientifically, no adverse effects and many health benefits are attributed to rooibos tea consumption. (1)
Some of the biggest health boons are its anti-fungal and antimutagenic (DNA protective) properties.
It also beneficially modulates the immune system and assists with nervous tension, skin problems, and digestive complaints.
I personally find that a warm cup of red tea gives me a lift in the morning with no caffeine required. This effect is perhaps due to its benefits to the digestive system, as anything that reduces digestive burden results in an improved energy state!
I also love to have rooibos tea on hand because it is a caffeine-free choice for the kids whenever they ask for a cup.
These healthy habits take hold and can stick too! My youngest, who just turned 18, still enjoys a cup of rooibos over more trendy, unhealthful beverages!
Safest Forms of Rooibos Tea
Like many plants, be aware that rooibos readily takes in fluoride from the surrounding soil.
It is very important to make sure you buy organic rooibos as commercial fertilizers contain large amounts of fluoride. (2)
I recommend organic loose-leaf rooibos as the most economical and safe way to enjoy it (such as this source).
Be aware that most tea bags are toxic even if the tea itself is organically certified!
Many tea lovers have no idea about this.
Healthy Substitute for Lattes, Cappuccino and Espresso
“Red espresso” is served in South African coffee shops and is concentrated rooibos served in the same manner as light or dark espresso from coffee beans.
Rooibos tea is delicious with milk and makes an excellent caffeine-free rooibos latte or cappuccino.
Another caffeine-free idea is a dandelion latte if you really enjoy the taste of coffee.
In the summer, iced red tea is a very pleasant alternative to the black iced teas on the market (these bottled teas are very high in fluoride).
For those attempting to shake the coffee or green/black tea habit, a switch to rooibos may be just the ticket!
If you need more caffeine-free beverage ideas, the linked article contains more suggestions and a healthy recipe.
(1) Rooibos Tea and Health: A Systematic Review of the Evidence from the Last
Two Decades
(2) The Phosphate Fertilizer Industry: An Environmental Overview
Can anyone comment on the caffeine content of kombucha, since it is made with black tea?
Does the caffeine get used up in the brewing process? I have read that kombucha cannot be made using caffeine free tea. Thanks!
In Sarah’s video on basic kombucha making, she says the caffeine is mostly used up by the time the tea has fermented at least 7 days. You could refer to it for more information.
I’m not sure if you comment on old post but if you do…. do you know if red teas are safe to consume when you are pregnant?
I get my rooibos teas from Teavana, a on-line site and a store (one in Portland, OR). Several mixes to choose from, so far all I've tried are great!
I also love rooibos tea, but didn't like it at first. I lived in South Africa for several years and really have grown to love it. It is pronounced ROY boss with a little roll on the r.
As y0u have started on the topic of tea, I wondered if you could do a post on the topic of tea additives. A few years ago, I was shocked to notice that many herbal teas on the market have soy lethicin as an ingredient (virtually of the Celestial Seasons brand teas, which may not be a surprise, but also some of the groovier brands). In fact, many of the teas in my local food co-op have all kinds of things added to them, it seems to be harder and harder to find "pure" teas. The solution of course is to go back to the old fashioned way of just collecting the herbs oneself, but I admit that I like the convenience of a teabag. I guess they needed one more place to park all the excess soy by-product, and so they decided to put it in…tea? Would love to hear your comments.
I can't drink rooibos- it tastes like warm cough medicine to me! *lol* But since I gave up caffeine (not counting chocolate) about 2 years ago, and I avoid hibiscus (small chance of it affecting fertility) and mint tea (may be bad if you're pregnant), I've been bouncing around from herbal tea to herbal tea. Even before giving up caffeine, my favorite was smoked Yerba Mate, and I've heard that the caffeine in Mate becomes "matteine" rather than caffeine. But for my reasons, I'm not willing to risk it.
My current favorite is lemon ginger Tulsi, which I'd never heard of until Dr. Mercola mentioned it. It's delicious, so I'm sticking to it until they start bringing out all the spicy Christmas blends. One of those was my favorite until I ran out, and now I can't remember what it was called!
Margaret- I read somewhere that it's pronounced "roy-boss", and looking at Melissa's pronunciation, I'm pretty sure that we're both right on the first part being "roy". Can't guarantee the second!
Hi Ashley, skip the lecithin. These vitamin stores have a silver bullet supplement for everything. Just rely of nutrient dense whole foods for your nutrition and take just a couple of whole food supplements like cod liver oil is all you need.
To find a source of clean raw milk in your area, to to westonaprice.org and find the local WAPF Chapter Leader for your locality.
Sarah,
First, I really enjoy your site!
Second, I hope that my replying to an essentially random post is not considered to be in really bad taste.
I’m curious why you suggest foregoing the microwave for heating water (that is one of the few thing that I do use a microwave for).
Hi Sarah, thanks for all the good info you put out. It is overloading me, lol. But i am taking it in bits as i am new to the whole foods way. I have never heard of any of these teas before. I was looking up Yogi tea and found a place called TheLuckyVitamin.com and looked them up on fb. Well they put up a post about the health benefits of lecithin.(i know this is totally off subject) Lecithin sounds to me like something i should steer clear of. I believe i see it in a lot of prepackaged foods. Here is the link to it. http://blog.luckyvitamin.com/supplements/health-benefits-of-lecithin/
I just wonder if this is true or not. Thanks for all you do. I enjoy your videos and show my family the right way to nourish the body. They seem willing, but are very skeptical of raw milk. I am willing to try it. But we live in South Ga and i don't know where to access it at. Thank you so much again.
Yogi tea makes an organic red tea as does Choice brand.
I love matcha tea.