Rooibos tea for Kombucha

[Guest guest]

Attached is an article from a South African friend which she got from

Readers Digest, " The Healing power of Vitamins, Minerals and Herbs. "

It's long, but those into Rooibos KT might find it interesting.

 

 

Rooibos Tea

 

The brick red tea is made from the plant Aspalathus Linaris and has long

been a refreshing beverage in South Africa, and Rooibos, or ?mountain?

tea is a household name in this country. Its popularity world-wide has

increased recently, partly because of research into its ?anti ageing?

properties.

 

What is it:

 

The Shrub Aspalathus Linaris, which grows up to two metres is endemic to

the slopes of the Cederberg mountain range in the Western Cape. Its

Afrikaans name, rooibos (red bush), comes from the fine, needle- like leaves

of

the plant which turn red when they are fermented.

 

For centuries the indigenous people of the Clanwilliam region made a tea

from the rooibos by first cutting off the twigs and then bruising the

leaves, fermenting then and then drying them in the sun. Today it is one

of the few wild local resources that have made the transition to a

commercially cultivated crop. The fermenting process is similar to that

used

for

black of oolong tea.

 

This unique beverage with its characteristic sweet flavour is regarded

as ?healthy? partly because of it lack of caffeine and it low tannin

content.

But Rooibos tea is also rich in volatile compounds, minerals and other

active ingredients which give it its favourable medicinal effects.

 

What it does:

 

Rooibos tea contains a wealth of flavonoids, which include aspalathin,

(found only in Rooibos tea), nothofagin, vitexin, isovitex, orientin,

isoorentin, luteolin and quercetin. Many of its health-promoting

properties are linked to the antioxidant effect of these flavonoids. Recent

studies

have demonstrated that the antioxident effect of rooibos tea is made

possible by superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic substances. SOD is one

of the best-known enxzimes in the human body capable of neutralising free

oxygen radicals as soon as they are formed. Free oxygen radicals cause

damage to body proteins and fats, as well as to our DNA (or hereditary

material). An imbalance of the body oxidant levels is believed to be a

contributing factor in a broad spectrum of diseases, including

atherosclerosis, inflammatory diseases (for example Arthritis), heart

disease, Alzheimer?s disease, cancer and AIDS..

 

The antioxygen effect of rooibos tea is thought to be similar to that of

green tea. Although current research has shown it o be less than that of

green tea. However, the mechanism by which rooibos produces its

health-giving benefits are still unclear because of lack of detailed

human studies.

 

? Major benefits

 

Rooibos tea is said to have had an effect on dermatological diseases

such has Behcet?s disease. Sweet disease and photosensitive dermatitis. It

is

also said to have antispasmodic effect and is therefore useful as a

drink for infants suffering from colic.

 

? Additional benefits

 

Rooibos tea is rich in several minerals including iron, calcium, copper,

potassium, manganese, zinc and sodium, as well as the trace elements

copper, manganese and fluoride. The mineral content of rooibos tea

contributes

to the maintenance of healthy skin, teeth, bones and metabolic processes.

 

 

? Possible benefits

 

The evident currently available on the therapeutic value of drinking

Rooibos tea gives some credibility to the ?anti-ageing? claims. Until

further

research is made available, however, the expectations of a healthier

life, rather and increased lifespan, would seem more realistic.

 

 

How to take it:

 

Dosage: INTERNALLY you can get the benefit of rooibos tea by drinking

several cups of brew each day. TOPICALLY: to soothe nappy rash, eczema

and acne, apply a rooibos cream or the tea to the affected areas as needed.

Make your own rooibos cream by adding two tablespoons of strongly brewed

rooibos tea to twice the amount of aqueous cream of emulsifying

ointment.

Guidelines for use:

 

Rooibos tea can be enjoyed any time, on its own or with meals. It can

be drunk safely at night as it contains no stimulants. The tea should be

freshly brewed. To prepare it allow one teabag or heaped teaspoon of

loose tea per cup. Pour boiling water onto the tea, and keep warm. Infuse

for two to three minutes. Slow brewing on the stove gives good results too.

 

Possible side effects

 

Rooibos tea is safe with no reported adverse effects. Since it contains

no oxalic acid it can be drunk safely by people who suffer from kidney

stones.

 

Common uses:

 

* As an antispasmodic for infants prone to colic.

* Soothes skin irritations like nappy rash, eczema and acne

* May improve constipation

* May improve liver function

* May pay a role in improving blood sugar levels

* May promote longevity

 

Latest findings

 

Research currently being conducted in Japan suggests that rooibos tea

may have a role to play in the prevention of cancer. However, there are no

conclusive results yet.

 

Did you know:

 

A Japanese research found that boiling rooibos tea for 10 minutes or

longer resulted in a remarkably high antioxidant effect than it was boiled

for

less than five minutes. One cup (150ml) of rooibos tea contains

approximately 1.5mg of flavonoids.

 

 

Recognize joy when it arrives in the plain brown

wrappings of everyday life. ~Judith Viorst