Technically an herb and not a tea, it stands up to a full boil when brewing and is said to produce ten times the antioxidants as green tea, long considered one of the best teas for health in the US. Here are a couple links that help support some of the claims: [...], [...]. Note that the webmd a website which quickly disses pseudo research and questionable claims of supplements and such, has some support for teas. It does not go into depth on Rooibos, but a quick search will uncover hundreds more sites like the second link, that go into detail of the health benefits. On Amazon, try if you will to find another site for a tea or supplement that has over 1000 votes, and only one percent give the product the lowest rating. This is for the bagged tea that I use, in the same brand the loose tea has over 100 votes, but it has zero of the lowest ratings and very few of the second lowest.
That means something to me, it says that for almost all the people that use this they feel tangible benefits from the herb. I do as well, as strange as it may seem a heart doctor who did a heart cath on me, because of a false positive test said I had no blockage and would not need to see him again for five years. He did say I should get some more exercise, but he noted that although my good cholesterol was low, my bad was too low at 45, and he'd like to see it higher around 70. How many of you have ever been told to raise your bad cholesterol, by a Cardiologist no less? I've been drinking Rooibos tea for a few years now and I have to think this has an effect. I also think I sleep better and tend to have better digestion when I drink it regularly. Taste is good too I like it with a touch of honey, but it drinks well plain, either iced or hot.
One of the worst things about Rooibos is the full boil brewing, you need to add water or ice to cool it down or it takes 10 minutes to cool enough to be able to drink it. It does make a good iced tea and goes with lemon, lime, milk (not all together), honey, ginger, orange, cherry, or any number of flavorings. I don't recommend artificial sweeteners, most are bad for your health, and there is the danger of degradation when you brew this at a full boil. If you have to use them wait till the tea cools down a bit before adding. Cane sugar is OK in moderation.
Recommended for almost everyone, but one of the few cautions I've ever seen on this fantastic caffeine free tea (herb), is that it may not be the best for those with advanced liver disease. If you are a heavy drinker and have been for years, and are showing the signs of liver damage, you might want to ask your doctor before you indulge in drinking this herb.
100% Organic Rooibos (Aspalathus Linearis)
