What is rooibos tea from? Rooibos tea: useful properties and contraindications

Rooibos tea has African roots. One of the African countries, in addition to diamonds and ever-working residents, gave the world a drink that is wonderful in its taste. The rooibos shrub, which grows in the highlands of Cederberg in South Africa, was first mentioned at the end of the 18th century. They have been making tea from it for a very long time.

Of course, the appearance of the plant is different from the usual black and green tea bushes on Ceylon plantations. But rooibos has its undeniable advantages and can compete with recognized varieties in terms of usefulness.

Who owes its appearance in Europe?

Of course, initially this drink became known to the local natives. It is sometimes called the Bushmen's elixir.. Subsequently, the Dutch learned about the plant, and after them the British, well-known connoisseurs and keepers of tea traditions.

By the way, this shrub has not been cultivated anywhere else, so South Africa is still in charge of its export. The production is absolutely similar to the creation of black and green tea, the process of drying, fermentation and packaging is familiar and understandable.

Rooibos itself, depending on the time of collection, can be not only red in color, but also black.. However, in reality, consumers will be more interested in it. healing qualities and properties, which will be discussed later.

Rooibos (second name) is rich in antioxidants, but contains neither vitamin C nor caffeine. But there is a large amount of fluorine and copper in it.

What other trace elements are included in its composition? Those that make the drink as useful as possible, for example:

• iron;
• manganese;
• magnesium;
• fluorine;
• calcium;
• potassium;
• calcium;
• sodium;
• zinc;
• natural tetracycline;
• ascorbic acid;
• aroma oils.

Benefits and treatment

Rooibos tea has many health benefits:

1. Antioxidants slow down the aging process, and their polyphenolic counterparts prevent cardiovascular diseases.

2. Zinc improves immunity, while potassium and sodium are involved in the restoration of physical fitness.

3. Copper compounds allow you to maintain protein metabolism, which is beneficial for representatives of vegetarianism. Also, this microelement restores nerve cells.

4. Rooibos tea has a bactericidal effect, so lotions for eczema, wounds and dermatitis fully justify their use. Similar compress relieve itching and reduce the size of areas of irritated skin.

5. Help with burns and allergic reactions of the body, removing puffiness from the eyes, as well as inflammation of them with fatigue - this is not all beneficial features miracle tea.

6. It is worth noting the absolute safety of the product, as a result of which it is permissible to use it by pregnant women and babies.

7. How medicine tea is used for nausea, vomiting, infantile colic, insomnia, disorders gastric system, antihelminthic manipulations.

8. The drink is useful for expectoration, restores health when hangover syndrome, has a positive effect on arterial pressure.

9. Not so long ago, the results of a study were recorded in which it was proved that tea is the prevention of caries.

Naturally, cosmetic companies have also paid attention to this drink, which want to make the most of the amazing properties of the African miracle.

Peculiarities

The best thing for connoisseurs of tea drinking is that rooibos can be brewed repeatedly. It will not lose its taste or useful properties. The drink is consumed hot and cold, does not require the addition of sweeteners..

There is also such a type of tea leaves, which most closely resembles coffee in terms of an invigorating effect, but tastes like herbal tea.

True connoisseurs of rooibos have repeatedly noted next property tea - he normalizes mental activity, while the effect of calming and quenching thirst is also high and noticeable.

The sweet and sour taste of the drink resembles compotes, and its flavored counterparts will appeal to kids from the first time.

You can make tea traditional way- in a porcelain teapot. In this case, it will take a little more time.

It is permissible to influence it not only with the direct fire of the burners, but also with a microwave, as well as with a heated oven. The properties and taste of rooibos will not suffer at all, and may even improve.

Cautions in use

Rooibos practically does not harm the human body. The only exception is individual intolerance to the product, which is extremely rare.

The second point is to monitor the quality of the purchased product. Now it is easy to run into a fake.

Rooibos is consumed instead of the usual tea or coffee. It's all about the characteristics of a plant from the legume family. It does not contain caffeine, thanks to which the body is toned in a natural way. Many are interested in positive and negative sides tea, let's look at them in order of priority.

Rooibos Features

It has already been mentioned that the plant belongs to the legume family. It has long been famous beneficial effect on human body. The bright shrub looks quite ominous with its sharp branches of a bright reddish hue.

Rooibos is covered with myths, it was revered by the natives for healing properties and used as a natural dye. They also attributed to the drink the ability to prolong human life by rejuvenating the body and strengthening the heart muscle.

The people of Africa tried to keep this plant a secret, but it gained notoriety in the early 20th century. The colonists who arrived on the continent admired positive influence rooibos on the body. Therefore, they came to grips with cultivation and sale. The British called this miracle tea redbush because of its characteristic shade.

The drug boasts sophisticated palatability, nutty aroma, delicate taste of fruits. Naturally sweet and light, rooibos has sunk into the hearts of millions of people from all over the world.

For the most part, the drink in question is appreciated by the native Japanese. They equate it with tea varieties green shade. During the heat treatment, the drug may be reddish or greenish.

Rooibos green variety obtained from the evaporation of plant blanks. Such manipulations stop the fermentation, as a result of which the drink begins to smell like herbs and remains transparent.

If the leaves are left to dry under sunbeams fermentation will be complete. Tea acquires a reddish color, sweet taste notes, astringency. It is this drink that is often supplied with milk, honey and cinnamon to reinforce the taste.

Rooibos Composition

You should immediately start with the calorie content of the drug, because this drink is constantly introduced into the basic diet for diets. For 100 ml. tea is supposed to be only 16 kcal. Concerning nutritional value, proteins occupy about 17% of the total volume. Carbohydrates are allocated more than 66%, and fats - less than 1%.

But the most honorable places are still assigned vitamin composition. Among them are vitamin P, retinol, thiamine, vitamin D, ascorbic acid, riboflavin, vitamin K, tocopherol, pyridoxine, vitamin B5, vitamin B12.

We will also highlight mineral compounds such as zinc, magnesium, calcium, sodium, iron, potassium, manganese, copper, fluorine. Interestingly, just one mug of the drink concentrates a third daily requirement in iron.

A teaspoon of tea is 1 gram, a tablespoon is 2-2.5 grams. With this calculation, brewing is carried out on a mug or teapot.

Recent studies by scientists have proven that rooibos contains many antioxidants. They all raise immune system and carry out the most serious prevention of cancers, especially of the rectum and lungs.

In Africa, this plant is in extraordinary demand, it is preferred to coffee or tea, which is not surprising, because rooibos is not inferior to them in terms of benefits. So why get fancy? The composition contains natural sugary substances that are easily absorbed and do not harm diabetics.

In Japan, adherents of natural medications advised to consume this variety drugs as an auxiliary "potion" in the treatment of serious pathologies gastrointestinal tract and hearts.

Earlier we mentioned the fact that caffeine is not on the chemical list of available substances. On this basis, rooibos is suitable for all citizens, regardless of gender and age category. If people for health reasons had to exclude coffee, given plant will be a real lifesaver.

There are many benefits to this type of drink. Let's take a look at them.

1. Of the substances famous for their antioxidant qualities, it is worth highlighting aspalathin. It is found in large quantities in green teas. But it is also present in rooibos. Antioxidants slow down the early aging of tissues at the cell level, so youth is preserved.
2. This drug is consumed to prevent or stop oxidative processes and suppress the effect of free radicals on the body. Rooibos prevents cancer, so everyone, without exception, should take it.
3. Ladies who have recently become mothers and are in the stage of breastfeeding should drink raw materials to improve the health of the child and eliminate colic.
4. The drink contains oxalic acid, which is required for categories of people with a tendency to kidney disease and Bladder. The formation of sand and pebbles is being prevented.
5. This type of tea is also used externally, they are washed to improve the condition of the skin. disappears acne, dark spots. The brewed drink is poured into the bath to eliminate formations on the body.
6. Many use the drink in the form of a natural antibiotic. It anesthetizes, reduces body temperature, fights against helminthic invasions, relieves inflammation, and disinfects the oral cavity.
7. It is worth mentioning the impact on nervous system person. With a systematic exposure to stress, you need to introduce this raw material into your diet in order to reduce the likelihood of developing nervousness.

Rooibos during pregnancy

1. The advantage of this tea among others is that caffeine is completely absent in rooibos. Therefore, the drink can be consumed by both an adult and a child. During lactation, tea for the fairer sex will be most welcome. Rooibos acts as a natural biological supplement, enriching the body with useful substances.
2. The drink is allowed and recommended to be taken during the period of gestation. Natural product has a pleasant relaxing effect. The systematic consumption of tea will help to cope with stressful situations and unforeseen life difficulties more easily.
3. During pregnancy, rooibos will help eliminate permanent swelling of the limbs, the drink perfectly removes excess fluid from the body. Tea has a slight analgesic effect, and the product also eliminates the effects of toxicosis. The raw material is considered excellent remedy in the fight against problems in the form of restless sleep.
4. If you often drink rooibos, you will forget about frequent constipation. composition has a positive effect on digestive system. Tea prevents the development of anemia. Per serving of drink enough present folic acid, iron and cobalt. All enzymes are essential for correct formation baby.

1. With the help of the product in question, you can resort to the help of healing and soothing baths. Such procedures will help to cope with colds, frequent stress, chronic fatigue and other problems with the body.
2. It is enough to add brewed tea to the bath and enjoy a pleasant pastime. Subtle flavor has a positive effect on the nervous system. Nerves quickly come to order. Unique Components contained in tea will have a healing effect on tissues.
3. Regular intake of the product will prevent the development colds. To do this, it is recommended to drink a cup of tea three times a day. Raw materials have a powerful effect on the human body, increasing its protective functions. The immune system becomes more resistant to viral infections.
4. A decoction based on the presented raw materials helps to get rid of inflammatory processes on the skin. To prepare effective remedy it is necessary to boil the tea leaves for some time on low heat for several minutes.
5. After that, it is enough to moisten a cotton sponge in the finished product and wipe the damaged skin. This decoction copes with various abrasions and diseases. Also, the tool can wipe the mucous membranes. Rooibos contains substances similar to natural antibiotics.
6. Such a product copes well with the feeling of hunger and thirst. To achieve this effect, it is enough to take several times throughout the day. warm drink. Similar qualities of tea will, by the way, if you want to lose a few hated kilograms.
7. As a result, the portions of food eaten will become much smaller. There comes a rapid saturation of the body. Such a diet will not negatively affect the psychological state. The body will not experience a deficiency of any vitamins.

Rooibos Contraindications

1. Tea is forbidden to be included in the diet in the presence of individual intolerance and allergic reaction to product components.
2. With a tendency to hypotension, the intake of the drink should be limited. If necessary, consult your doctor.

Rooibos enough interesting view tea, which has practically no contraindications. Systematic consumption of the drink will tone the body to the fullest. In addition, tea has a positive effect on general condition man and his nervous system. The product has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system.

Video: useful properties of rooibos tea

Recently appeared on Russian market, is a unique tea. The bush that gives the world this lovely drink, is called Aspalathus linearis and belongs to the acacia group. It grows in the Cedar Mountains in South Africa. Bushmen tribes have been using rooibos since time immemorial as a refreshing drink. healing agent, How natural dye. It seems that nature has specially endowed this plant with a mass of useful properties, taking into account the harsh climate of the African continent.

How rooibos tea is made

Rooibos manufacturing technology has not undergone fundamental changes since the time of its first use by the natives. Rooibos seeds are sown in the soil in July or August. The plant germinates and gains strength within a year and a half. The grown bush is cut and collected in bundles.

In modern industrial production, bushes are crushed and crushed using roller devices to activate chemical process fermentation.

If the raw materials are fermented, the tea is red, sweetish in taste with a slight woody aftertaste. To obtain green rooibos, it is steamed. After fermentation or steaming, the tea is distributed to drying areas under the open sun.

Dried tea is collected by a powerful vacuum device and sent for sorting (by color, by length). The sorted raw materials are once again cleaned using a new improved pasteurization technology and dried.

During the production process at different stages technological process undergoes laboratory testing and bacteriological control.

Rooibos tea quality grades

Unlike green tea, the quality of rooibos depends not so much on the length and age of the leaves, but on the presence of impurities (pieces of branches, trunks).

The best selection is a short cut. It is an export option.
The best selection is a long cut. Export option.
Regular selection. Medium length cut. Designed for the domestic market.
Packaged rooibos. The quality of packaged rooibos does not differ from loose rooibos, which cannot be said about other teas.

Rooibos tea composition

One cup (200ml) of rooibos contains:

• Iron - 0.07 g
• Fluorine - 0.22 g
• Potassium - 7.12 g
• Calcium - 1.09 g
• Copper - 0.07 g
• Magnesium - 1.67 g
• Manganese - 0.04 g
• Sodium - 6.16 g
• Zinc - 0.04 g
• Rooibos also contains about 100 aromatic oils, 8 phenolcarboxylic acids, 9 flavonoids.

Health benefits of rooibos tea

The red bush has attracted close attention from nutritionists and has been scrutinized. Studies of the properties of rooibos tea by the Institute of South Africa in Stelenbosch, the Orange Free State University in Bloemfontein, as well as studies conducted in the USA and Japan are known.

You can talk endlessly about the beneficial properties of rooibos tea.

• It contains 50% more antioxidants than green tea. Japanese scientists have discovered in the composition of rooibos one of the most powerful and stable antioxidants - SOD - super-oxide dismutase, which actively neutralizes free radicals. And this means that rooibos can be useful in such terrible diseases as cancer, osteoporosis, diseases caused by radiation.
• Rooibos is also recommended for many other ailments such as high blood pressure, diabetes, liver disease, allergies, cataracts, atherosclerosis, hay fever, asthma, eczema, etc.
• Rooibos is known for its antispasmodic and antiseptic properties.
• It has a calming effect, reduces blood pressure, reduces mental stress.
• Restores and normalizes the work of the stomach in case of poisoning.
• It has a beneficial effect on the development and maintenance of bone tissue.
• Two cups of rooibos satisfies a person's daily requirement for vitamin C.
• Three cups of 200 ml of rooibos tea completely cover the daily human need for fluoride, a third required amount iron, which is perfectly absorbed due to the low content of tannin, and the presence of vitamin C in the composition.
• Tea contains the optimal ratio of calcium and potassium, which is important for maintaining a balance (sodium-potassium pump) during physical exertion.
• It can be added that rooibos is added to culinary products, used as a food additive, as a raw material in cosmetology, added to bath infusions.

How to brew rooibos tea

As far as the properties of this tea are unique, it is just as unpretentious in brewing. Brewed boiling water and infused for at least 5 minutes. Japanese scientists claim that 10 minutes of brewing significantly enhances the effect of antioxidants. In South Africa, it is customary to boil rooibos for 30 minutes. In other words, the brewing time is unlimited and does not affect the quality of the drink.

Brewed tea can be stored in the refrigerator for several days and consumed cold, you can drink it hot, you can use it to prepare other, more complex drinks or cocktails.

• Use rooibos to make sweet sauces, marmalade, and baked goods.
• Water potted plants with the rest of the rooibos, they will grow well on this fertilizer.
• Use rooibos to dye fabric - the color is very durable.
• At sunburn it is useful to lubricate the skin with infusion of rooibos.
• Use rooibos tea leaves as a skin freshener

In Africa, rooibos tea is as popular as coffee in other countries. This ethnic African drink has a rich sweet taste and subtle woody-nutty aroma. To make it, you need the leaves of a shrub of the same name, which is found only on the Cape of Good Hope. This plant grows up to 1.5 m in height, has thin branches and needle-like soft leaves.

Rooibos tea: what is it, chemical composition and calorie content

In Europe, the drink appeared only at the beginning of the 20th century, but quickly gained popularity. Since the plant grows best only in South Africa, this country has become a monopoly in its supply. The scale of exports is very impressive - up to about 6 thousand tons of raw materials are exported from the country to other continents. The crop is harvested only from two-year-old shrubs, cutting off the tops of the upper branches. The collected raw materials are transported to the factory and crushed.

The tea is made from the leaves, which, depending on processing, can remain greenish or take on a rich brick red hue.

• In the first case, the leaves are simply steamed under high pressure skipping the fermentation process. The taste of this tea is grassy, ​​and the color is light.
• To make red rooibos, fermentation and drying in the sun is necessary. The finished drink acquires a brick-scarlet color and a rich sugary taste.

But in Africa they even like to sweeten it and dilute it with milk. Rooibos is even used to make local African espresso, which appearance and characteristics practically does not differ from the coffee we are used to.

Locals say that a cup of such tea can be called food additive. But according to the results of research, the amount of vitamins and microelements is not so large as to cover human needs.

• Nevertheless, rooibos contains a large amount of antioxidants - according to this parameter, it is several positions higher than green tea common in our country. These chemical substances able to bind and remove toxins in an inactive state, which has a positive effect on overall health.
• Tea contains a decent amount of light monosaccharides, so ready drink can be drunk without sweeteners. But this largely depends on individual taste preferences each person.
• The calorie content of tea is low - only 16 kcal per 100 g of dry raw materials.

The first mention of Rooibos tea is found in travel notes Carl Peter Thunberg, a Swedish naturalist in 1772. He traveled through South Africa and was amazed at the number of plants the locals use to make tea. One such plant was a "red bush" called "rooibos". The natives used the needle-like leaves to make tea, believing that it would grant them longevity.

After 130 years, a native of Russia, Veniamin Ginsberg, discovered wild thickets of red bushes in the mountains, tried several processing methods and found best way procurement of raw materials. He used Chinese technology: the leaves were stewed in special barrels, covered with wet burlap. Later, attempts were made to cultivate wild rooibos, which ended successfully. Tea farms appeared, which were engaged in the processing of shrubs and harvesting leaves. WITH light hand Ginsberg rooibos tea (also called rooibos) came to Europe.

There are green and red rooibos. It all depends on the fermentation method. Red tea is obtained from the stems and leaves of the plant, which are fermented after grinding. After drying and fermentation under certain conditions, green leaves become amber color. Tea from this type of rooibos is different fruit flavor and strong aroma. Africans prefer this type of drink, drinking it strong and sweet. In terms of strength and tonic properties, it does not differ from coffee.

Green rooibos does not pass additional processing. Leaves after harvesting are only kneaded and steamed. By brewing them, you can get a drink that resembles green tea, only with herbal aroma.

Useful properties and composition of rooibos tea

As part of this amazing drink from Africa about 100 aromatic oils, 9 flavonoids, 8 phenolcarboxylic acids, a large amount useful substances. One cup of tea contains more than seven grams of potassium, about six grams of sodium, equal amounts(1-2 grams each) contains magnesium, calcium, there is also a little zinc, fluorine, copper, manganese. The red bush contains natural tetracycline, which is harmless to the human body, making it an excellent antibacterial agent.

The beneficial properties of rooibos are constantly being studied, research is being carried out by the South African Institute in Stelenbosch, in Bloemfontein by the Orange Free State University. Japanese scientists have confirmed that the natural antioxidants contained in the plant soften harmful effect environment, prevent the aging of skin cells. Tea is recommended as aid in the complex treatment of various diseases.

American and Japanese scientists in 1980 discovered superoxide dismutase in Rooibos tea, which is a powerful antioxidant. It effectively fights free radicals that cause oncological diseases. Studies have confirmed unique properties tea:

• reduce itching, help with eczema, allergies, asthma, hay fever;
• have a general calming effect on the nervous system, lower blood pressure, remove irritability, reduce excessive excitability;
• counteract aging, the development of cardiovascular diseases;
• restore the work of the stomach, eliminate heartburn, nausea;
• relieve intestinal colic;
• assist in the fight against insomnia and sleep disorders;
• have a beneficial effect on bone tissue and skin.

Rooibos tea perfectly calms the nerves, it is used as natural antidepressant. It is recommended for headaches, overwork and nervous disorders. The content of glucose helps to quench thirst well, remove the feeling of fear, raise the tone. Sweetish aftertaste allows not to use artificial sweeteners and sugar. Vitamins P and C help reduce varicose veins and increase immunity.

This drink is well suited for vegetarians who have an iron deficiency. A cup of rooibos is able to satisfy 1/9 daily requirement human in iron, as well as 1/2 in vitamin C. The copper contained in tea is able to separate iron from food and transfer it to blood formation, it also supports protein metabolism.

Does rooibos have contraindications? Only individual intolerance, which is very rare. The absence of caffeine in rooibos makes it possible to cook from it Reviver, which will be useful for pregnant women, infants to eliminate anxiety, colic. And the absence oxalic acid makes it safe for people with kidney stones.

The use of rooibos tea in cosmetology

Rooibos tea, the benefits of which are described above, has also found application in cosmetology. A large number of essential oils and minerals makes it an excellent rejuvenating and tonic agent.

• 1 teaspoon of tea, added when preparing homemade masks, will help smooth out wrinkles, restore freshness and a healthy look to the face.
• Tea compresses help with bags, black circles under the eyes, and you can get rid of fine wrinkles around the eyes.
• Washing with tea will help hide traces of fatigue, and the more often ice cubes of frozen rooibos are used to rub areas of the skin, the faster you can get an even, fresh complexion.
• Rinsing your hair with red bush decoction will help increase hair growth.
• Baths with the addition of a strong infusion of rooibos relieve tension, make the skin more elastic.
• With sunburn, the drink will help relieve the heat of the skin.

Rooibos: the secrets of making delicious tea

To get started, choose quality tea. IN specialized stores tea it can be found loose and packaged. The color of the dried raw material should be uniform and bright. The tea leaves should crumble easily. Often all kinds of additives are added to African tea, when choosing such tea, you should give preference natural ingredients. The quality of tea largely depends not on the length and age of the leaves, as in classic tea, but on the amount of impurities in the form of pieces of the trunk and branches. Teabags are not inferior in properties to loose tea. Only yellow leaves can speak of the low quality of tea.

No special tea ceremony was invented for brewing African rooibos, so no special utensils are required. The only thing experts do not recommend using earthenware believing that she takes away the flavor of this wonderful drink. In the homeland of the drink, the dried herb is boiled for half an hour over low heat to make a rich rooibos tea. In our country, the brewing method is more often used.

You can brew tea in a thermos, teapot or in a cup. For one glass of boiling water, take one teaspoon of crushed tea leaves. The infusion time is 5-10 minutes. Tea is filtered using a strainer, and tea leaves can be used again by adding less water.

When boiled, the concentration of tea is more saturated, rooibos tea becomes a beautiful ruby ​​​​color with spicy aroma. Real gourmets use original way brewing tea with milk. Cinnamon, vanillin, lemon zest are added to the finished rooibos.

Brewed tea drink can be stored in the refrigerator for several days, of course, some of the useful properties are lost every day. Rooibos tea can be drunk hot or cold. More complex drinks are prepared on its basis, it is used for baking.

For those who find the taste of rooibos too unusual, you can first choose tea with the addition of pieces of strawberry, banana, pineapple, peach, cornflower flowers, caramel. Such a variety makes it possible to constantly change tastes, fully enjoying a tasty and healthy drink.

What is the best way to drink rooibos

• The temperature of the drink should be comfortable, too hot tea renders negative impact on the stomach.
• Tea is most useful in the spring, when the body is acutely suffering from a lack of vitamins. Tea is worth drinking for weakened people, women in the period of expectation of a child, athletes in the recovery period after exhausting workouts.
• Do not add sugar to rooibos, it spoils the taste, reduces the amount of useful properties.
• You can drink tea in any quantity, a certain dosage should be observed only for children and pregnant women.
• You can not drink this tea with drugs.
• It is better not to drink the tea drink on an empty stomach.

Rooibos - unique tea, its taste is harmoniously combined with a mass of useful properties. It will help a weakened body to cope with the cause of ailments, a healthy one - to strengthen, maintain and increase health and strength of mind. Grown under the scorching sun of Africa, this tea is well worth introducing into your daily diet everyone who cares about their health.