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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.
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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.
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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
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