What Is Rooibos Tea? (Pros and Cons Explained)

Last updated: September 16, 2023

Do you love a good cup of tea in the afternoon as much as I do? I usually stick with black or green tea, but I do occasionally pour myself a refreshing cup of Rooibos tea.

Did you know that tea is the second most popular drink after water? Yes, I was also surprised, but it makes perfect sense when you think about it. Tea is so easy to prepare, and most people enjoy drinking it.

Rooibos tea is perhaps not as well known as black, white, or green tea, but it’s just as delicious and offers some surprising benefits. Let’s take a closer look at what Rooibos tea is and what it can offer us.

Rooibos, Afrikaans for “red bush”, is a broom-like member of the legume family of plants growing in South Africa. South Africans have used its leaves for centuries to make Rooibos tea, or “red tea”, as some may call it.

It’s interesting to point out that, depending on where you are, if you order red tea, you may not always get served rooibos tea. In some countries, like China, red tea is equivalent to black tea.

If you’ve ever tried Rooibos tea, then you’ll know that it has a very distinctive taste, which can be best described as aromatic and sweet.

I personally love it, but it may require a bit of getting used to because it is indeed very different from black and green tea.

Herbal Tea

Rooibos tea isn’t actually a “real” tea. Instead, it’s a herbal tea.

Herbal teas are essentially blends of herbs, fruits, and flowers, whereas real tea leaves all come from the Camellia sinensis plant, also known as the tea plant.

Because rooibos tea is a herbal tea, it does not contain caffeine. This is a pro as well as a con, as it won’t have the same effect as black tea, but you can easily drink it in the evening and still be able to sleep.

Here are five benefits of regularly drinking delicious Rooibos tea.

1. Contains Antioxidants

Antioxidants help prevent and repair the damage caused by things we eat and the environment we live in. Our bodies need antioxidants to fight off disease and stay healthy.

Rooibos tea, and also green tea, is an excellent source of antioxidants. Unfermented (green) rooibos has a higher amount of polyphenols than traditional fermented rooibos and generally demonstrates higher antioxidant capabilities.

2. Contains Minerals

Rooibos tea contains several minerals that are vital to our health. Examples of these minerals are magnesium (which benefits our nervous system), calcium (good for our bones), zinc (metabolism), and iron (good for muscles).

However, it should be pointed out that Rooibos tea, or any herbal tea, should not be relied upon when it comes to vitamin and mineral intake.

Fruits, vegetables, and other healthy, natural foods, are always the best sources of essential nutrients.

3. Cardiovascular Benefits

Studies have indicated that drinking rooibos tea has positive effects on cardiovascular disorders and can contribute to lowering blood pressure.

Rooibos tea contains Chysoeriol, a flavonoid compound that helps circulation in the body and inhibits enzymes that can contribute to cardiovascular disease.

4. Can Relieve Stomach Pains

Rooibos tea contains nutrients and compounds that are known to be antispasmodic, which helps to prevent stomach pains and treat diarrhea.

One of these compounds is Quercetin, an anti-inflammatory that is known to help relieve abdominal ailments such as cramps, diarrhea, and indigestion.

5. Can Improve Sleep

Do you also drink herbal teas in the evening to relax and improve your sleep? I do, and I find that it helps. Because Rooibos tea has no caffeine, it is known to make us feel calm and relaxed.

Consuming moderate amounts of caffeine is perfectly fine, but some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others. Too much caffeine can indeed affect your ability to have a good night’s sleep, but it can also trigger anxiety symptoms.

With rooibos tea, like other herbal teas, you don’t need to worry about these potential side effects at all.

Hopefully this guide has made you a little bit wiser about Rooibos tea and the pros and cons of drinking it.

As mentioned, I love drinking the occasional cup of Rooibos tea, or any herbal tea for that matter. But I do prefer a tea that has some caffeine, such as black and green tea, just to give me a little boost.