Rooibos is a green shrub that is found almost exclusively in South Africa. There, its leaves and twigs are frequently used to brew a medicinal tea. But it isn’t very well known anywhere else. I believe that’s going to change in the near future, thanks to a strong trend of positive scientific findings, the most recent of which suggests an application for rooibos in the management of diabetes.

Rooibos tea is sometimes referred to as African tea or red bush tea. The reddish color that is often present is a result of an oxidative process that some manufacturers employ. There are also unoxidized rooibos teas on the market, which produce a yellowish tea instead. The unoxidized variety reportedly contains a greater concentration of antioxidants. This is similar to the example we find when comparing green tea vs. black tea. The green, which undergoes less processing, is considered more health promoting. (1)

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