HEALTH AND NUTRITION - ROOIBOS TEA

ROOIBOS TEA - GREAT FOR YOGIS

Rooibos is an extremely healthy drink and it is a product tailor-made for today's lifestyle. A hot, soothing cup of Rooibos is completely pure and natural, containing no additives, preservatives or colourants of any kind. It contains no caffeine, which can be harmful to the central nervous system, causing irritability, high blood pressure and erratic sleep patterns. It is low in tannin, a substance which adversely affects the bodies metabolism by decreasing the absorption of iron and protein. The clean, aromatic flavour of Rooibos can safely be enjoyed in unlimited quantities throughout the day, with no harmful side-effects.

Nutritionists recommend that daily meal choices be selected from the three basic food groups namely body building (protein) , energy (breads and cereals), and protective (fruits and vegetables). These together with sufficient fluids, at least six to eight glasses per day, form the basis of a balanced diet. Rooibos can be enjoyed in unlimited quantities as part of the daily fluid intake, as it contains no harmful additives. In addition, the mineral content of Rooibos contributes to the maintenance of healthy skin, teeth, bones, and metabolic processes.

The story of Rooibos (Red Bush) tea is a unique and extremely interesting one - a story that started at the turn of the century in the Cedarberg area of the Cape. It was the locals of the area who first discovered that the fine, needle-like leaves of the "Aspalathus Linearis" plant made a tasty, aromatic tea. It was they who first harvested the wild-growing plants, chopped them with axes and then bruised them with hammers, leaving them to ferment in heaps, before drying them in the sun. Today Rooibos is still processed in much the same way, but of course the methods are more mechanised and refined.

In 1904, Benjamin Ginsberg, a Russian immigrant and pioneer in the area, became interested in Rooibos and realised its marketing potential. He started trading it from the people of the mountains and selling it. No doubt the fact that Ginsberg was descended from a family who had been in the tea industry in Europe for centuries provided him with a good background and the necessary experience to market the new "Mountain tea".
Since that time , the industry has made steady progress, refining its production methods and increasing distribution so that the unique goodness of Rooibos tea may today be enjoyed by people the world over.

Rooibos Facts:

Rooibos can assist your health* Rooibos is completely pure and natural as it contains no additives, preservatives or colourants.

* Rooibos can strongly be recommended for people suffering from irritability, headaches, disturbed sleeping patterns, insomnia, nervous tension, mild depression or hypertension, as it contains no caffeine and has a soothing effect on the central nervous system.

* Stomach and indigestive problems like nausea, vomiting ,heartburn, stomach ulcers and constipation can be relieved by drinking Rooibos.

* Rooibos has anti-spasmodic properties, thus relieving stomach cramps and colic in infants.

* Rooibos is of benefit in the management of allergies like hayfever, asthma and eczema.

* Rooibos has a soothing effect on the skin, relieving itching and certain skin irritations like eczema, nappy rash and acne when directly applied to the affected area.

* Rooibos is a soothing drink for people on a kilojoule restricted diet, without adding kilojoules.

* Since Rooibos contains no oxalic acid it can be drunk freely by people suffering from kidney stones.

* Rooibos is an all day drink which can be used as a pick-me-up in the morning, a superb thirst-quencher during the day and at night it helps you to relax and sleep well.Note: Mothers find Rooibos tea to be of benefit in common infant ailments like colic and stomach cramps. It also helps with nappy rash, relieving irritation when applied with every nappy change. When given in addition to babies normal feeding , Rooibos supplements the daily intake of calcium , manganese and fluoride needed by growing children for strong teeth and bones. However, mothers themselves can also profit from drinking Rooibos tea. During pregnancy and breast feeding, the body’s iron levels become depleted.