Rooibos

Traditional Uses & Why Herbalists Value It

South African tea traditions value rooibos as a mellow, naturally caffeine-free household drink. Red rooibos is oxidized for its copper color and rounded flavor; green rooibos offers a different taste and polyphenol profile. Both use the leaves and fine stems of Aspalathus linearis.

What Modern Research Has Found

A small study of 40 adults at cardiovascular risk reported improved lipid and oxidative-stress measures after six cups of fermented rooibos daily for six weeks. Broader reviews describe encouraging but limited human findings; the small studies vary in design and preparation.

Plant Part, Preparation & Natural Constituents

The leaves and fine stems contain polyphenols, including aspalathin. Oxidation changes the polyphenol profile and color. Rooibos is brewed as an infusion or prepared from a fine powder, with serving amount and processing shaping the cup.

Rooibos in Formulae

Rooibos Tea provides a loose-leaf caffeine-free cup. Rooibos Matcha Tea Powder is ground rooibos for whisking, while remaining a different plant from green tea.

Products Containing This Ingredient

• Organic ingredient Rooibos Tea (Caffeine
• Rooibos Matcha Tea Powder 6oz

Sources & Further Reading

• Rooibos human-study review >
• Kew Rooibos >
• Human study of fermented rooibos