Here's why it's called the Miracle Tea!

Rooibos is naturally free of caffeine and has a relaxing effect on the central nervous system. No more caffeine crashes in the afternoon!

Rooibos aids your body's natural schedule, stimulating you in the daytime and relaxing you at night.

Rooibos contains iron and unlike other teas, Rooibos actually helps to increase the absorption of iron in the body (due to its low tannin content). Low tannin in Rooibos also contributes to its naturally sweet taste and the fact that Rooibos never gets bitter, no matter how long it steeps.

Medical studies have proven that Rooibos contains innumerable highly defensive natural antioxidants. Japanese scientists have discovered that the effect of free radicals in the process of aging and the decline of the immune system are limited by the antioxidants in Rooibos.

Rooibos contains 50% more antioxidants than green tea and if brewed for longer than 10 minutes, the antioxidant activity grows by antoher 30%. Among the antioxidant compounds present in Rooibos are polyphenols, which include flavonoids that help ward off cancer, heart disease and stroke.

Rooibos helps to relieve stomach ulcers, nausea, constipation, and heartburn due to its antispasmodic properties. Rooibos helps pacify infants with colic, stomach cramps, and sleeping problems. It is a mother's miracle.

Medical studies prove that Rooibos helps with diabetes, high blood pressure, irritability, nervous tension, mild depression, liver diseases, and cataracts.

Rooibos has been found to help with insomnia, disturbed sleeping patterns and headaches.

Rooibos makes a great thirst-quencher and sport drink. Because of its mineral content of iron, potassium, zinc, manganese, and sodium, it restores the body's equilibrium after strenuous exercise.

Rooibos helps you recoup after a hangover.

Rooibos contains alpha hydroxy acid and zinc for healthy, smooth skin. It is very useful when applied to skin irritations like itchy skin, eczema, sunburns, diaper rash and acne; it's also a great eyewash

Rooibos tea is full-bodied, smooth, and naturally sweet. It contains no caffeine, little tannin, and is chock-full of antioxidants and minerals. Due to its many soothing properties, it has come to be known as the "miracle tea". In Japan it is called "Long Life" tea and in South Africa and around the world it is also known as "Red Tea," "Bush Tea," and "Mountain Tea."

An antioxidant is any of a group of chemical compounds that may prevent certain types of cell damage. Antioxidants block the effects of oxidation, a chemical reaction in which a substance loses electrons, often while combining with oxygen. Antioxidants are important because they protect cells from the effects of free radicals, unstable molecules produced by oxidation. Free radicals can damage the DNA in cells, leading to cancer and they can oxidize cholesterol, leading to clogged blood vessels, heart attack, and stroke.

Some antioxidants are called polyphenols. These are most commonly found in plants and are the type of antioxidants found in Rooibos tea. Polyphenols can be divided into two sub groups: flavonoids and phenolic acids. They are both potent free radical scavengers.

The flavonoids that Rooibos contain are aspalathin, nothofagin, quercetin, rutin, isoquercitrin, orientin, isoorientin, luteolin, vitexin, isovitexin, and chrysoeriol. Currently, Rooibos is the only known natural source of aspalathin. Nothofagin is similar in structure to aspalathin and has only been identified in one other natural source besides Rooibos; the heartwood of the red beech tree, which is native to New Zealand.

Rooibos also contains antioxidants called phenolic acids. There are eight different phenolic acids in Rooibos. The names are complex, so are not listed here. For more detailed research please search the web. There are many incredibly detailed sites containing comprehensive Rooibos research.

In summary, Rooibos contains 19 different known antioxidants. In a study of total antioxidant capability, Rooibos contains approximately 80 mg of polyphenols per 200 ml serving. While green tea and black tea contain similar amounts of antioxidants, Rooibos has a definite advantage over them - Rooibos contains no caffeine and very little tannin and therefore can be consumed in larger quantities than caffeinated teas.

Research conducted in 1993 in Japan shows, that Rooibos suppressed malignant cell changes in mice when added to drinking water; it also suppresses malignant cell changes in cell cultures when added to the culture medium. In several experiments, Rooibos and green tea did comparably well. Rooibos also protected mice against gamma radiation. Mice treated with 1 mI of Rooibos tea two hrs. before irradiation experienced less DNA damage than untreated mice. One antioxidant, luteolin, appears to be responsible for the greatest inhibition.

Rooibos is richly endowed with a wide spectrum of antioxidants. Although several of these (such as quercitin, rutin, luteolin and caffeic acid) occur in other vegetables and fruit, one is unique to Rooibos. Aspalathin, has anti-oxidant activity that is comparable to that of vitamin E and occurs in high concentration. Aspalathin constitutes roughly 1.5 percent of dry Rooibos leaves.

Scientists working in another Japanese laboratory discovered that Rooibos suppresses age-related brain deterioration. Two further studies in Japan indicate that Rooibos contains at least one substance that inhibits the HIV virus.

In a South African study by E. Joubert, the qualities of Rooibos antioxidants were studied. Quercetin, Rutin, Luteolin and Aspalathin have the most physiological and therapeutic properties of all the flavonoids present in Rooibos tea. Some of these properties are antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimutagenic, and the ability to inhibit skin tumour formation.

Other Japanese research has indicated that Rooibos contains 50% more antioxidants than green tea.

It has been proven in numerous studies that brewing the tea for longer than 10 minutes increases the antioxidant content by an additional 30%. Rooibos tea never gets bitter when brewed for lengths of time and the flavour, colour and nutritional value actually increases when brewed for a minimum of 10 minutes.

Antioxidants of Rooibos Tea - E. Joubert Ph.D, D.Ferreira, Infuitec, Stellenbosch, Dept of Chemistry, University of Stellenbosch, 1996

Rooibos Tea: Research into Antioxidant and Antimutagenic Properties. HerbalGram,- © American Botanical Council, 2003;59:34-45

Antimutagenicity of South African Herbal Teas.- L Joubert, ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij (Stellenbosch, South Africa) 2001.

Article - WebMD. The Tao of Tea - Mark Moran, MPH, Diet and Nutrition newsletter, 4 June 2001

Alternative Medicine, Sippa Cuppa Rooibos Tea - Betty Kamen, Ph.D., 5/8/00, Online Nutrition Newsletter