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Baltimore Tea Party | Judging by the large response I received a few weeks ago when I asked for comments about white tea, I'm going to assume that there are quite a few HSI members who enjoy a soothing cup of tea. Speaking for myself - I couldn't get through the long winter without my two or three cups each day.
For me, each cup of tea is a specific experience. Green tea with mint is my wake up call; Lady Grey is my afternoon break; chamomile is my "count to ten" tea. I have a basket full of about a dozen different teas in my office, so I have the perfect complement to any situation or time of day.
That's why I was delighted to receive a Christmas gift of a new tea that I'd never tried before, called African red bush tea, first cultivated a century ago on the Western Cape of South Africa. We've heard quite a bit about the many health benefits of green tea in recent years, but this was my first introduction to the red bush variety (also known as Rooibos - pronounced "roy-boss," a variation of "red bush").
And I have to say that, as far as flavor and aroma goes, it's everything the packaging promises: a nice clean taste and a wonderful fragrance. But there's much more to this red bush than its appeal to the senses.
As I sat back with my first cup of red bush with organic lemongrass, I read the information on the package (old cereal box habits die hard, I guess). According to the back of the container, African red bush qualifies as a nutritional supplement; containing antioxidants, flavanoids, vitamin C, and a number of minerals, including iron, potassium, calcium, copper, zinc, magnesium, and manganese.
What you DON'T get in African red bush tea is caffeine, oxalic acid and tannic acid. Oxalic acid (found in high concentration in any teas that are not herbal) can promote the development of kidney stones. Tannin is an organic plant compound that can interfere with digestion and inhibit the absorption of iron and protein. Tannic acid is also responsible for that bitter taste that causes a slight pucker sensation. I'm sure this absence of tannin is one of the reasons that red bush is smoother than your average tea.
Doing a little additional research, I've found other claims for the health benefits of red bush tea worth noting: - Reduces headache pain
- Relieves insomnia
- Helps manage allergies
- Soothes digestive problems
- Protects against infections
Red bush tea also contains superoxide dimutase (SOD), a potent anti-inflammatory and one of the most powerful antioxidants (sometimes used as an injection to treat cardiovascular problems, rheumatoid arthritis, and the effects of radiation and chemotherapy). And red bush is rich in the bioflavanoid quercetin, which may help circulation by improving capillary strength.
I can't personally account for the accuracy of these health benefit claims myself (not yet anyway), but I can tell you that red bush is delicious, and it makes my office smell great. If you'd like to try red bush tea for yourself and can't find it locally, you can order it online from the Baltimore Coffee and Tea Company at baltcoffee.com.
I haven't quite figured out what the red bush tea "experience" will be yet, but I know it will be a daily one.
To Your Good Health,
Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute |
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