Rooibos (pronounced roy-boss) grows in its natural environment in the semi-arid Cederberg Ranges in the southern-most tip of Africa, 250km north of Cape Town. Its Latin name is Aspalathus linearis also commonly known as Red Bush, the English translation of Rooibos.
Vegetation in the Cederberg is a mixture of mountain fynbos ("fine bush") and succulent Karoo plants, with more than 1,800 different plant species. Fynbos is so unique in terms of its plant groups that it is recognised as part of one of only six floral kingdoms of the world - the Cape Floral Kingdom.
Origin of Use
Used for generations by the Khoi and San people of Southern Africa, for
skin and digestive ailments it is truly one of
Nature’s super plants.
Traditional Use
Rooibos is the healthful caffeine and low tannin
tea traditionally drunk in Southern Africa, often from infancy, where it is well known to
aid digestion, treat colic, calm nerves, help inflammatory conditions and aid good health. Applied topically or added to bath water it is commonly used to treat
excema and acne.
Science
Rooibos has been scientifically confirmed as a very beneficial plant for maintaining health and vitality inside and out.
Completely safe, it has the following properties:
Anti-allergic (good for allergy sufferers and sensitive skins)
Anti-bacterial (good for problem skins)
Anti-viral
Anti-spasmodic ( good nerve relaxant, and possibly of benefit to psoriasis sufferers)
Anti-oxidant (rich in a powerful and unique anti-oxidant that's anti-ageing, free radical scavenging)
Anti-inflammatory (soothing, good for inflammatory conditions and sensitive skins)
High in zinc (needed for skin cell function)
In Modern Skin Care
Some of the most effective and gentle ingredients are found in the plants sourced from diverse habitats of the world and Rooibos has many properties making it effective when used in skin care.
African Extracts Rooibos Skin Care contains a concentrated ‘green tea’ extract that is 11 times more concentrated than conventional extracts. Taken from the fresh green plant material before oxidation and the associated chemical degradation of the plant material starts occurring.
Research
Ongoing scientific research into Rooibos has shown that Rooibos..
Delays ageing – rich in powerful anti-oxidants
Helps fight allergies – anti-allergen.
Protects against the growth of lesions associated with skin cancer.
Can be used to treat inflammatory skin diseases – anti-inflammatory
Possesses anti-oxidant and immune-boosting components
Protects against free radical damage, leading to pre-mature ageing, cancer, heart attack and strokes
Helps damaged liver tissue & assists in the prevention and treatment of liver disease.
Has the potential to protect the liver
Has a cancer fighting effect.
Modulates the level of enzymes in the liver that can cause cancer.
Restores the immune function in our bodies.
Lowers blood pressure.
Is effective in treating stomach cramps and diarrhoea.
Is an effective bronchodilator that eases breathing.
Protects red blood cells against breaking up.
A list of references for the scientific literature can be found at the African Rooibos Council website.
www.sarooibos.co.za
