International Tea Day: The benefits of rooibos
May 21, is International Tea Day. What better way to celebrate than to explore the natural wonders of a tea that comes straight from our backyard?
INTERNATIONAL Tea Day is observed annually on May 21. What better way to commemorate this international holiday than to look into a widely favoured tea that comes straight from our backyard and nowhere else: rooibos.
Rooibos tea is a native South African tea, produced from the rooibos plant (Aspalathus linearis) that grows in South Africa’s fynbos, a natural shrubland located in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces. Rooibos, an Afrikaans word, directly translated means “red bush” which is a reference to the deep red colour of rooibos tea. Rooibos tea is also jam-packed with antioxidants, enzymes and anti-inflammatory properties that can maintain the skin and aid your body with fighting off illnesses. Adding a cup of rooibos tea to your diet can do wonders for your physical health.
Health Benefits
Helps the skin
Rooibos tea contains a vital mineral that is excellent for the skin, called alpha hydroxy acid, that can help with the appearance of the skin and reduce wrinkles. The zinc present in rooibos can help with conditions such as eczema and acne. The anti-inflammatory properties in rooibos can prevent the skin from getting irritated, resulting in more even-toned skin. Rooibos gives the skin an added glow due it’s anti-aging properties that slow down the development of wrinkles.
Helps with pain
The anti-inflammatory properties present in rooibos tea, as well as the antioxidants it contains, aid in alleviating aches and pains in the body. The vitamin C present in rooibos tea boosts the collagen in the body and helps to repair connective tissues. The tea’s anti-inflammatory compounds can reduce the pain caused by arthritis.
Helps to alleviate allergy symptoms
Rooibos tea can act as a bronchodilator in the body and aid the body by easing the physical side effects of allergies such as wheezing and coughing. The tea works as an antihistamine, preventing the body from being triggered by allergic reactions. Drinking rooibos can therefore prevent the body from reacting to allergies.
Helps with digestion
The South African brew can assist the body with digestive problems. Rooibos tea contains nutrients that are antispasmodic, which help to prevent stomach pains. It’s packed with vitamins and minerals that support the body’s immune health and fight off pathogens that can make you sick. Rooibos can help fend off pathogens that cause stomach aches and diarrhoea.
Rooibos tea is filled with vital minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and alpha hydroxyl acid. Similar to other herbal teas, it also contains high levels of vitamin C, along with antioxidants like aspalathin that provide the body with extensive health benefits. Rooibos tea also has polyphenols that keep the body healthy and in top form.
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