Best Rooibos Teas Reviewed & Rated

Product Criteria for Evaluation

Getting the right nutritional product can be a very easy task when you are used to them or when you have some background information. However, it can be a daunting task for rooibos tea, especially if you have never heard about this fabulous tea. We have taken our time to review rooibos tea products, to make your shopping extremely easy. There are so many products out there, but only the best made it to our list. This is the criteria that we used to compile our list.

User reviews and ratings

Verifiable and unbiased product reviews are an effective way of judging a product. From user reviews and ratings, you can learn how a product works, how effective it is, and even its downsides. We used user reviews from online selling platforms, but we only considered those that filter verified customers. We read through those reviews and picked the products that had the most positive analyses and highest rankings. We also put into consideration sellers that had the highest customer satisfaction ratings. We had in mind the drawbacks of the products, so we also picked what the buyers said was striking about each product and what they did not like, then came up with pros and cons for each of them.

Safety of ingredients

The best rooibos tea is grown in South Africa, in the Cederberg mountain region, under organic conditions. We made sure that the products that we included on our list are grown in certified organic projects in only approved soil conditions. We also picked products with the least or no artificial colorants, preservatives or sweeteners. Moreover, we put into consideration the products that put into use reusable and environmentally friendly packaging materials.

Low calories and sugar

Our beverages are one of the leading sources of unnecessary calories and are worsening the situation of weight gain and chronic diseases. For these reasons, we included products with no artificial sweeteners, with zero calories and no carbs. However, we also considered individuals who like their tea naturally sweetened and the flavor altered. Therefore, we also chose products that are sweetened and flavored with natural fruits, flowers, and spices.

Brand Reputation

Brands do matter, and they speak volumes about a product. We chose brands with a strong reputation for safety, genuine products, freshness and great tasting nutrition products. Some of the brands have been on the market for decades and some even for centuries. Some of the manufacturers have been producing and distributing other teas, spices and beverage products for years. For those other products other than rooibos, they have also maintained the excellent reputations.

Flavors

We picked products with both strong mild rooibos flavors. We also included naturally sweetened flavors and rooibos teas with altered odor. We were keen to only include flavors from real fruits and flowers. You can also get the unaltered natural flavor then flavor it according to your preferences. We also included products that have added tasty recipes as part of the delivery package.

Rooibos Tea Benefits

You might have heard about the many benefits or rooibos tea but is it scientifically true or marketing gimmicks? You may have also tasted the tea from a colleague, friend or at a tea party and liked the color and the earthy taste of the tea. But really, why take this tea? Rooibos tea is a favorite for many not just because it is free of caffeine but also because it is loaded with antioxidants that are known to neutralize free radicals that cause damage to body tissues and can even cause cancer. The tea is also loaded with vitamin C, minerals and with just a few tannins. We have comprehensively broken down the benefits of rooibos tea in the paragraphs below.

Rich in minerals

Rooibos tea is filled with  with  iron, calcium, copper, potassium, fluoride, magnesium, manganese, alpha hydroxy acid and zinc. A proper level of calcium in the body helps maintain strong and healthy teeth and bones. In the long run, calcium helps to prevent osteoporosis and aids in the clotting of blood. Iron helps in maintaining a healthy hemoglobin and in the prevention of anemia. Copper a micronutrient, aids in metabolic enzymatic reactions and helps in proper growth and development.

Fluoride helps to reduce tooth decay and research has shown that it lowers cavities in children by more than 50%. Manganese plays a role in carbohydrate metabolism, the formation of connective tissues and aids in calcium absorption. Magnesium together with other minerals helps in maintaining healthy muscle and nerve function, support a strong immune action and to aid in the regulation of blood glucose levels.

Antioxidant

Rooibos tea is loaded with polyphenol antioxidants which play a great role in protecting the body from cell damaging radicals. In fact, rooibos teas have 50 times more antioxidant properties than most other teas. As an antioxidant, rooibos tea is great to fight off inflammations as it boosts the immune system by combating oxidative stress which is one of the primary contributors to diseases such as cancer, heart diseases, and Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, the antioxidants have antiviral properties, that’s why people like rooibos tea to shield their body from colds and flu.

Skin health

Rooibos is enriched with superoxide dismutase, a substance that is well known to remove wrinkles, rebuild body tissues, and prevent immature skin aging. This compound works by neutralizing free radicals which are the major villain in skin aging and disease-related skin aging. It also helps in boosting the production of healthy skin cells to replace the dead ones.

Flavonoids present in rooibos tea help in preventing skin disorders like eczema and acne. Scientific studies have suggested that rooibos tea helps to control acne by reducing the levels of inflammation, which is the mainstay of the mechanisms underlying acne development.

Rooibos tea also contains high levels of vitamin D and Zinc, which contribute to skin cell growth, repair and metabolism. Though you can get vitamin D from sun exposure, too much sun contributes to skin aging. That’s when nutritional sources like rooibos tea step in to keep your skin glowing.

To enjoy the skin health benefits of rooibos tea, you can either take it as a beverage or apply it topically on the affected area. To make a topical application, boil one teaspoon of the dried leaves in 8oz of water and leave it for about ten minutes, wait for it cool then apply it directly to the skin.

Boosts hair growth

Rooibos tea is enriched with zinc, calcium, copper, and potassium which strengthen hair roots while promoting hair growth. Some of the users also use it to massage a sensitive scalp, wash hair and to control loss of hair edges and hairline. It is also effective in dealing with brittle and thin hair.

Relieve stress

Whether enjoying your rooibos with friends or alone just by your couch or your balcony, we all agree that it does help to cast away your psychological burden. Rooibos does not have caffeine and is low in tannins, but has an unbeatable unwinding and calming effect. According to the South African Rooibos Council, it contains compounds that reduce stress hormones. A report at the Pacific Collee of Oriental Medicine rooibos has a soothing effect on the nervous system and even helps in the long-term treatment of depression alongside other medications. Moreover, rooibos has plenty of magnesium a natural tranquilizer which helps the body to naturally adapt to stress.

Weight loss

Weight loss is a careful balance of diet, exercise, rest, and willpower. Diet plays an 80% role, meaning if you fail to adopt a healthy diet, all your other efforts could be thwarted. What you should aim for each day is to eat fewer calories than you burn. Rooibos tea does not work any magic in melting fat, but it helps in controlling your appetite. Also, rooibos tea reduces your sugar intake in beverages as you do not have to take it with milk or sugar. Although rooibos tea has a natural milk sweet, it is not as a result of sweeteners but rather due to the fermentation process.

Control of type II diabetes

Previous scientific studies dedicated to sugar control proved that rooibos tea has some hypoglycemic effects that are helpful in controlling type II diabetes. The best type of rooibos tea to control diabetes is the green unfermented type as it has the highest aspalathin flavonoids. A study conducted in 2012 proved that when rooibos tea extract is administered to rats with induced diabetes, it is effective in lowering glucose. However, if you have diabetes, you should consult your doctor and use rooibos tea alongside other medications as prescribed for you.

Does rooibos tea have any negative side effects?

Generally, it is very safe and negative side effects are very rare. Some of the side effects that have been noted are increase in liver enzymes as a result of prolonged intake of large amounts and increase in estrogen activity. For this reason, if you have any hormone-sensitive condition like breast cancer you should limit your intake.

The high level of antioxidants in rooibos is its key selling point but is both an advantage and a disadvantage as it can cause some health problems. The high level of antioxidants is of concern when combined with chemotherapeutic drugs. There is evidence that herbal teas including rooibos can intensify or weaken the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs and can cause lethal reactions. Therefore, if you are on chemotherapy, it is wise to refrain from rooibos.

There is no substantial evidence of toxicity of rooibos tea, but cases or liver damage have been reported. Therefore, just like any other nutrient, use rooibos tea in moderation- too much of anything is poisonous.

Use of rooibos tea during pregnancy

The tea is safe during pregnancy.  It is free of caffeine, loaded with minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants which are beneficial to the mother and the fetus. Pregnant women can even replace their caffeinated teas as it does not have the diuretic effect and depletion of nutrient absorption, which is common with other beverages.

Another benefit of rooibos tea in pregnancy is that it aids in digestion, eases colic and acid reflux. This helps in controlling indigestion, heartburn, and constipation, some of the commonest minor complications of pregnancy.

How to make rooibos tea

To make rooibos tea, put the tea bag or a spoonful of the tea in boiled water then steep for about 15 to 20 minutes. According to your preference, you can prepare it with milk and add sugar. If you are avoiding added sugar, rooibos tea has a natural mild sweet taste, thus, can be taken unsweetened. You can then serve it hot or chilled.

To flavor it you can use lemon, mint, orange, cinnamon, berries, apple or any other item of your choice.

Sample recipe: Iced lemon-mint rooibos tea

To serve: 6
Time taken: 20 minutes
Ingredients:

• Three rooibos tea bags
• ½ sliced lemon
• Eight mint leaves
• Maple syrup (optional)
• ½ gallon of water

Method

• Bring the water to boil
• Put rooibos tea bags, mint leaves, and maple syrup in a pot
• Add the boiled water into the pot and leave to steep for at least ten minutes
• Stir it till its cold then remove the solid ingredients and squeeze the lemon juice into the mixture
• Refrigerate or serve when hot

You may also play around with the fruit flavors and plant spices to make it more fun.

You can also apply it directly to your skin if you have acne issues or use it on your hair.

FAQs

Why rooibos tea?

This tea an herbal beverage with medicinal properties. It is acquired from Aspalathus linearis bush plant, a broom-like member of Fabaceae family. The tea is semi-sweet with an earth-like taste and a reddish appearance.

Where does it come from?

Rooibos tea grows in the mountainous part the western cape region in South Africa. The tea bushes are adapted to the Cederberg mountain soil, climate and attitude and only do well in this area.

Can I grow it in my kitchen garden?

For the original make-up of rooibos tea to flourish, it has to grow in the Cederberg region. If you grow it in your garden, it may not have the same flavor and smell. Therefore, the best of rooibos tea comes from South Africa.

What are the benefits of taking it?

Rooibos tea has many benefits, but the most notable are protecting the body from diseases through its antioxidant properties, maintaining skin health, controlling type II diabetes, aiding in weight loss and relieving stress.

Is rooibos different from green tea?

Rooibos tea differs from green tea in that rooibos does not contain caffeine and has very low level of tannin. Also, green tea can grow in many places while rooibos only flourishes in Cederberg region in South Africa.

Does it contain caffeine?

Rooibos tea is naturally free of caffeine, can be taken any time of the day even before bedtime and is safe for people with insomnia.

Does it have any side effects?

Rooibos rarely has side effects, but there are those that have been reported. It can enhance estrogenic activity, can augment or lower the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs and prolonged use of large amounts can cause liver damage.

Can I take rooibos tea when pregnant?

Rooibos tea is safe during pregnancy and even helps in dealing with complications like indigestion, constipation, colic and acid reflux, which are common in pregnancy.

Can I give it to my children?

Rooibos tea is safe for children and is actually what made rooibos a well-known medicinal tea. It particularly helps children with colic and stomach pain. It contains antispasmodic properties that relax the smooth muscles of the digestive system by activating potassium ions without blocking calcium ion, thus easing stomach cramps and reducing hyperactivity of the tract.

Are there any restrictions on taking rooibos tea?

It is not wise to take rooibos tea if you are on chemotherapy, if you have any hormone-sensitive disease or if you have any history of rooibos sensitivity. In addition, take the tea in moderation as large amounts used for an extended period can be harmful to the liver.