Rooibos Herbal Tea

Rooibos - pronounced roy-boss, means red-bush in Africa. Rooibos tea is made by drying and fermenting the green leaves of the native South African shrub Aspalathus Linearis, which redden during the process. Rooibos has been used daily by South Africans for centuries. Europeans began cultivating it in the early 1900s, but only recently has it made its way to the U.S. market.

Rooibos is considered to have anti-spasmodic properties, which is why the South Africans give Rooibos to babies with colic and it is also drank by adults as an aid in digestion. It is very soothing and said to have many calming characteristics.

There has been a fair amount of literature noting the disease-fighting antioxidants, found in both the red and green Rooibos.

Rooibos is said to help in alleviating inflammatory symptoms of the skin and joints.

“With a body like black tea’s, as many antioxidants as green tea, and the versatility of the best herbals, some say that Rooibos is overdue for an American debut,” wrote Anita MacAuley in Fresh Cup magazine.

Aside from the above mentioned health benefits of Rooibos, it is great tasting and makes a beautiful cup or pot of tea. Rooibos can be enjoyed hot or iced with the addition of fruit. We prefer drinking Rooibos hot, with a little milk and honey.

We recommend 1 rounded teaspoon of tea per cup of boiling water. Steep 7-10 minutes and enjoy!

Check out all the exceptional teas Inspired Aroma, Inc. has to offer.

The following is a recipe for a non-alcoholic refreshing fruit drink using Rooibos:


Fruit Drink
(Makes 15 glasses)
2 c. strong, cold Rooibos
1 c. Apple Juice
1 c. Granadilla Juice*
2 c. Soda Water or Lemonade
1 can (100 g each or approx 4 oz) Granadilla Pulp*
Strawberries, hulled and sliced
*Granadilla pulp and strawberries my be substituted with approximately 4 oz banana slices and 4 oz fresh pineapple cubes.
Mix Rooibos and fruit juices. Chill soda water or lemonade and add just before serving. Add Granadilla pulp, decorate with strawberry slices and serve over ice or blend with ice.