An Ancient Remedy
Cloaking the slopes of the magical Cedarberg mountains in South Africa, is Rooibos. A natural herb unique to the Cedar Valley in the Western Cape. Many centuries ago, this tea plant was well-known to the people of the indigenous Khoisan tribe; used by these ancient folk as a herbal remedy for a wide range of ailments. But as their people whittled away, the herbal lore of Aspalathus linearis was forgotten.

Rooibos and Disease
In separate studies Rooibos were found to contain potent antioxidants, which offer protection against cell damage and mutation that result in diseases such as cancer.
Rooibos is brimming with polyphenols, which help protect the body from damage by free radicals, those dangerous organisms that attack healthy cells and weaken the body's resistance to disease, resulting in the development of atherosclerosis, arthritis, heart disease, cancer, diabetes and senile dementia, among others.

A wonderful rediscovery
After botanists discovered the Aspalathus linearis plant in 1772, generations of South Africans simply enjoyed the tea made from its leaves for its sweet, refreshing taste; unaware of the startling powers this wonder of Nature possessed.

It was Dr. Annique Theron who rediscovered its magic. In 1968, this South African mother stumbled across its ability to soothe and calm her baby, relieving the infant of colic and insomnia. Amazed by its natural healing potential, Annique went on to investigate and document its health-promoting properties as a caffeine-free, low-in-tannin tea. Not just for babies, but allergies and ailments across a broad spectrum of age groups.

Crucial Rooibos molecules
ASPALATHIN: The molecule unique to the Rooibos plant is a powerful antioxidant (favonoid) and many scientific studies show its anti-carcenogenic properties and free radical scavenging potential. With this molecule Rooibos provides a very effective, natural and safe supply of anti ageing and anti allergic effects.

The plant is a shrub-like bush with a central, smooth-barked main stem.  Near the soil surface the stem subdivides into a number of strong offshoots, followed by delicate side branches each bearing, singly or in clusters, soft, needle-like leaves some ten centimeters in length.

Positive results for Rooibos
Preliminary trial results indicate that Rooibos tea helps reduce cardiovascular disease risk as it protects the body against oxidative damage. This is the first time that Rooibos has been subjected to a tightly controlled human clinical trial to determine its potential benefit in reducing cardiovascular disease factors. Entitled “Modulation of blood oxidative stress markers and DNA damage by rooibos tea in volunteers at risk for coronary heart disease ”, the trial was conducted by Jeanine L. Marnewick, Ph.D., senior researcher at the Oxidative Stress Research Centre at Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Cape Town.
Funding was provided by Cape Peninsula University of Technology, THRIP National Research Foundation, and the South African Rooibos Council.
The trial paper will be submitted to a medical journal for publication after all the statistical data has been fully analysed