Power smoothies help curb colds and flu

There are some useful ways to boost your immune system this winter season. One useful way to keep common colds away is to make delicious antioxidant rooibos smoothies.

South African rooibos council spokesperson Ernest du Toit said that the tea has anti–inflammatory, antiviral and antimutagenic qualities which are organic chemicals that are known for their antioxidant capabilities, which have been confirmed by scientists in South Africa and internationally.

“Polyphenols act as scavengers of free radicals throughout the body, which are detrimental by-products of cell metabolism that can cause a host of ailments. Aspalathin and Nothofagin are two other vital antioxidants that rooibos tea contains, making it a great beverage to boost your immune system and protect your body against all types of diseases and conditions,” said Du Toit.

Prevention is key so be sure to boost those immune fighting soldiers with any one or a combination of these enjoyable eight rooibos power smoothies. The following were created by the Rooibos Council:

Rooibos, strawberry and orange smoothie (serves one)

• One to two rooibos tea bags
• 125ml boiling water
• 225 g frozen strawberries
• Half peeled and chopped orange
• 125 g silken tofu
• 1 Tbsp vanilla protein powder
• One teaspoon liquid honey (optional)

Method

• Put the rooibos bags in a teapot or heatproof jug and pour over the water. Steep for eight to ten minutes, remove the bag and leave to cool
• Put tea, berries, tofu, protein powder into blender and process until smooth. Sweeten to taste with honey and pour into glasses.
• Blueberry pomegranate rooibos antioxidant smoothie (serves two)
• 1 banana
• 1 cup fresh pomegranate arils
• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries and/or strawberries
• 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed
• 1 Tbsp whey or hemp protein
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 1 Tbsp flaxseed or hemp oil
• 10 – 15 ml lemon juice
• 2 – 3 bags of rooibos tea
• 1,5 cups boiling water plus 1 cup ice

Method

• Put the rooibos bags in a teapot or heatproof jug and pour over the water. Steep for eight to ten minutes, remove the bag and leave it to cool.
• Put the remainder of the ingredients, with the tea into a blender and process it until smooth. Sweeten to taste with honey and pour into glasses.

Rooibos, youngberry and banana smoothie (serves one)

• Half a banana
• 1–2 tea bags
• 125 ml boiling water
• A third cup of frozen berries (youngberries or raspberries)
• A quarter cup of milk
• 250 ml plain yoghurt
• Chia seeds and sunflower seeds
• Goji berries

Method

• Put the rooibos bags in a teapot or heatproof jug and pour over the water. Steep for eight to ten minutes, remove the bag and leave it to cool.
• Combine all ingredients into a blender besides the chia seeds and goji berries
• Blend until creamy and top with chia seeds and goji berries and serve.

Green rooibos smoothie (serves one)

• Small cored apple
• 5cm piece of cucumber
• One stalk celery, including leaves
• A quarter flat-leaf parsley, including stems
• One cup of baby greens
• 1/8 slice of lemon
• 10 ml lemon juice
• A quarter cup of raw almonds
• Tbsp chia or sunflower seeds (optional)
• 1 cup brewed green rooibos tea (chilled)
• Six to eight ice cubes.

Method

• Combine all the ingredients except ice cubes in a high powered blender, until smooth
• Add ice cubes one at a time until fully crushed and mixed.
• Serve.

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