Description

Variable shrub growing to 61⁄2 ft (2 m) in height, with green, needle-like leaves, yellow, pea-like flowers, and small seed pods.

Habitat & Cultivation

Native to southern South Africa, rooibos is now widely cultivated as a commercial crop, particularly in the Cedarberg mountain area. The seed is hard to germinate and must first be scarified. The young leaves are harvested once a year, chopped, and left to “sweat” or ferment before being dried.

Parts Used

Young leaves.

Constituents

Rooibos contains polyphenols, including flavonoids, with a low tannin content.

History & Folklore

Rooibos was first used as an appetizing tea by the Khoisan people, indigenous to the Cedarberg region, but also as a sleep aid and for headaches.

Medicinal Actions & Uses

Drunk mostly as a pleasant tasting, caffeine-free drink, rooibos, like green tea, has significant antioxidant activity. There is evidence to suggest that the fermented leaves exert a protective effect on the heart and circulation. In view of the herb’s traditional use, it might also prove helpful as a nighttime drink to promote sound sleep.