One of the ingredients in our collection of herbal teas that we’re often asked about is that of Rooibos. If you haven’t discovered this hidden treasure yet, there’s no better time than now for a quick lesson. Pronounced 'roy-bose,' Rooibos is an amazing South African plant that offers a variety of health benefits in both its raw and brewed form. Its herbal health properties come from its leaves, which are harvested by hand at various stages of maturity. In Afrikaans, Rooibos means “red bush.” When fully mature, the leaves of the Rooibos bush have a red hue to them. The Many Health Benefits of Rooibos Rooibos is part of the legume family, and like many other legumes, Rooibos is rich in healthy vitamins and minerals, including zinc, calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, and vitamin C. Rooibos also contains natural fluoride, which is great for maintaining healthy teeth and bones. Rooibos also offers several immune-enhancing and anti-cancer properties through important polyphenols, which are known anti-viral, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory agents. Its leaves also contain alpha hydroxy, a natural anti-aging and healing property that’s great for your skin. Rooibos also contains flavonoids—anti-spasmodic agents that can help reduce bronchial spasms due to allergies and asmatic attacks. Breathing in the warm vapor from Rooibos herbal tea is said to be helpful in these cases. When consumed, flavonoids are also said to be good for lowering blood pressure. Rooibos Herbal Tea—Delicate and Aromatic When ground and brewed, Rooibos makes for a relaxing, aromatic tea with a delicate sweet flavor. Non-acidic and naturally caffeine-free, it’s an excellent pre-bedtime tea. While Rooibos herbal tea is commonly served warm with milk and sugar, I prefer mine with a dab of maple syrup or honey. It also makes for an excellent iced tea! At Lucia & Co., we offer a variety of herbal teas made with Rooibos. One of our top sellers is our exclusive Summer Escape tea—a sweet ambrosia of Rooibos, honeybush, lemongrass, marigolds, orange peel, and apple bits that steep to a delicate pinkish color, with a clean finish reminiscent of ripe apricots and Asian pears. Haven’t tried it yet? It’s absolutely divine! For more herbal teas made with Rooibos and other deliciously healthy ingredients, check out our exclusive herbal tea collection at Lucia & Co.