Rooibos tea

[[image:Rooibos tea 2.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Actual rooibo tea]][[image:Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis)PICT2814 .JPG|thumb|right|165px|The plant itself.]]{{foodnav}}
'''Rooibos Tea''' (''Aspalathus linearis'') is an earthy, nutty-flavored herbal tea that has been subjected to a health craze.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20111119131808/http://www.rooibosteabenefits.org/ Rooibos Tea Benefits Powerful Antioxidants Flavonoids] (archived from November 19, 2011)</ref><ref>[http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/tao-of-tea The Tao of Tea: Tempest in a Teapot] (June 4, 2001) ''WebMD''. Rooibos appears to be matching and possibly besting the health benefits claimed for other more established teas</ref>

It only grows naturally in a part of [[South Africa]], a country known for its unique plant life that is different from pretty much the rest of the world.

==Proven facts==
Like with most "[[Superfoods|super foods]]", rooibos health claims start out on a level that's perfectly reasonable:
* [[Organic food|Organic]] &mdash; true, only one country and company supply it and they pledged to be organic.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20050315093145/http://www.mrc.ac.za/promec/antimutagenic.htm Antimutagenic and Cancer-modulating Properties of Two Unique South African Herbal Teas, Rooibos and Honeybush] The South African Medical Research Council (archived copy from March 15, 2005). South African country supplying the world</ref>
* [[Caffeine]]-free &mdash; though most herbal teas are.
* It is actually rather tasty &mdash; just like many herbal teas.
* Full of [[antioxidants]] &mdash; true, many things are. The two studies looking at the antioxidant levels gave vastly different results. One stated rooibos had 50% more than [[green tea]], and the other a good bit less than green tea.<ref> [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6T6R-3RH0BJ6-D&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=c4269bd826e4d6290c7fa5ea414ccd91 Comparison of the antioxidant activity of rooibos tea (''Aspalathus linearis'') with green, oolong and black tea] by A. Von Gadow et al. ''Food Chemistry'', Volume 60, Issue 1, September 1997, Pages 73–77. </ref> Antioxidants can be beneficial, but more is not necessarily better (i.e., in the case of very high doses).<ref>[https://www.sciencenews.org/article/athletes-antioxidant-pills-may-not-help-performance?mode=magazine&context=189809 For athletes, antioxidant pills may not help performance: Some supplements can blunt the positive effects of exercise training] by Laura Beil, ''Science News'' (February 24, 2015).</ref>
* It can be consumed by people who have problems with regular tea (tannins/oxalic acid) &mdash; Just like many herbal teas.

In areas with sketchy [[water]] infrastructure, drinking tea brings the added benefit of forcing you to boil the water, which kills many water-borne pathogens.

Unfortunately, boiling water before drinking it can't protect you against [[lead]] and other nonvolatile contaminants still found in the water of some [[Third World|developing countries]] (and notably, [[Michigan]]).

==Made-up facts==
Unsurprisingly, the health claims quickly start diverging into the [[Food woo|bizarre]]:
* There are claims (mostly [[New age]] type) that it's an old [[Japanese]] secret to long life &mdash; Of course, ''no one'' had seen this product before the 18<sup>th</sup> century, when it started being used as a substitute for black tea by poor [[Netherlands|Dutch]] settlers in [[South Africa]]. It doesn't grow anywhere else, and it doesn't ship well. It hadn't started being produced commercially (or even seen in Japan) until 2000 and after [[Apartheid]] ended.
* [[Toxin]] [[cleanse]]r<ref>[http://archive.is/uqWrm The Republic of Tea, Get Clean Tea, 36-Count] Amazon.com (archived from February 11, 2017). "This gentle naturally caffeine-free herbal detox blend helps the body help itself as it stimulates the liver*, one of our natural cleansing mechanisms"</ref> &mdash; Researchers have found correlations for anti-fungal effects for skin infections on 11 dart {{wpl|frog||s.}}<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/10252907.stm Exotic frogs reared in redbush tea in Gloucestershire] (7 June 2010) ''BBC''.</ref> It wasn't taken internally.

* It contains healthy minerals &mdash; There are no listings of mineral contents of rooibos tea outside of a [[nutritional supplement]] label or [[crank]] websites. Each seems to have its own list of what is in the tea.
* Protects the immune system &mdash; Nothing supports that, so: studies or it doesn't happen.
* Supports and cures gastrointestinal issues &mdash; Nothing supports that, so: studies or it doesn't happen.
* Protect against cardiovascular disease and diabetic vascular complications<ref>[http://www.vegetarian-nutrition.info/herbs/rooibos.php Red Bush Tea: It's Hot: African Rooibos Tea – Health Benefits] by Winston Craig. ''Vegetarian Nutrition Info''.</ref> &mdash; Nothing supports that, save the figments of people's imagination.
* Protects against [[cancer]] &mdash; [[Hell]], what super food doesn't (claim to)? There is insufficient evidence for this claim.<ref name=webmd>[http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-143-Rooibos+RED+BUSH+TEA.aspx Red Bush Tea] WebMD</ref>
* It is used to prevent [[HIV]] infection, but there is insufficient evidence for this.<ref name=webmd/>
* It is used to prevent age-related dementia, but there is insufficient evidence for this.<ref name=webmd/>
* It is safe for infants and [[pregnant]] people &mdash; Okaaaay, and many other things aren't?

==Put on the kettle==
Like with most non-toxic herbals; if you like it, enjoy it ''for that reason''.

Drinking Rooibos tea likely won't hurt (if consumed ''in moderation'', assuming no prior health problems), and it ''might'' even be good for you.<ref name=webmd/> Just keep in mind that supposing so [[Argument from ignorance|requires a leap of faith]].

One sore part of you guaranteed to take a hit from this tea is located in the wallet region — there's no such thing as a free 
lunch
 tea.

And whatever you do, don't expect Rooibos (or any tea, for that matter) to perform any [[miracles]].

==References==
{{reflist|2|90%}}

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[[Category:Drink]]
[[Category:Food supplement woo]]
[[Category:Plants]]
[[Category:Pseudoscience]]
[[Category:Woo]]

Categories: Drink, Food supplement woo, Plants, Pseudoscience, Woo