En Español (Spanish Version) Aspalathus linearis
Alternate Names/Related Terms
Principal Proposed Uses
Other Proposed Uses
Rooibos, or red tea, is a plant native to the Cape Town region of South Africa. Long used as a beverage tea, it was popularized as a medicinal herb in the late 1960s by a woman named Annique Theron, who claimed that it could help relieve colic and other infant-related problems. Since then, it has been advocated for a wide variety of additional conditions, including stomach distress (dyspepsia), allergies, warts, eczema, anxiety, insomnia and minor injuries.
The tea is harvested during the summer. It is green when picked, but becomes red during a fermentation process similar to that used for making black tea.
Last reviewedSeptember 2014by EBSCO CAM Review Board
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.