Herb of the Month: Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis)
Alternate names: Red Tea, African Red Bush Description: Native to South Africa’s West Cape area, rooibos grows as a shrub up to six feet tall.
Cultivation: Rooibos is planted from seed in the spring, and blooms in July and August. It prefers acidic to neutral soil, on the dry side and in the sun.
Culinary: Like black tea, rooibos needs to be fermented before use as a beverage, but contains no caffeine and many antioxidants. It is brewed like other teas, steeping for about six minutes. Extracts are also processed for use in liqueurs and schnapps, and the infusion can be used as a base for
fruity beverages, soups and sauces. It can also be used in baking.
Medicinal: Rooibos is high in antioxidants thought to help prevent signs of aging. It is also used in traditional medicine to relieve allergies, hay fever, asthma, and eczema.
Rooibos also has anti-spasmodic properties which make it useful in treating the digestive system, especially vomiting or diarrhea.
Sources: The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses. By Deni Bown. http://www.dr-nortier.com/plant.htm (photo below from there)
Cultivation: Rooibos is planted from seed in the spring, and blooms in July and August. It prefers acidic to neutral soil, on the dry side and in the sun.
Culinary: Like black tea, rooibos needs to be fermented before use as a beverage, but contains no caffeine and many antioxidants. It is brewed like other teas, steeping for about six minutes. Extracts are also processed for use in liqueurs and schnapps, and the infusion can be used as a base for
fruity beverages, soups and sauces. It can also be used in baking.
Medicinal: Rooibos is high in antioxidants thought to help prevent signs of aging. It is also used in traditional medicine to relieve allergies, hay fever, asthma, and eczema.
Rooibos also has anti-spasmodic properties which make it useful in treating the digestive system, especially vomiting or diarrhea.
Sources: The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses. By Deni Bown. http://www.dr-nortier.com/plant.htm (photo below from there)