I personally don’t like to take prescription nor over the counter drugs, especially sleeping pills. In my quest to find a natural remedy for insomnia, I found that the African Red Bush Tea, or Rooibos is a great sleep aid. Not only is it great for insomnia, it’s has several other benenfits as well  But before I get into that….

What Is It?

The African Red Bush or Rooibos (pronounced roy-boss) is different from the more commonly known teas such as the white/green/oolong/black tea which is made from the leaves from the camellia sinensis plant. The end product simply depends on how long the leaves have been fermented. The Red Bush, on the other hand, is a completely different plant grown in the Western Cape Province. The leaves are actually green but turn red when oxidized.

How It Tastes

The Red Bush has a very distinct smell. It’s not really unpleasant, it just took a little getting used to. I couldn’t decide if I liked it or not. Once I tasted it I liked it instantly. It has a subtle sweetness to it, even if you let it brew for some time.

Although the Africans drink it with milk and sugar most other people drink it with just water. I just let the teabag seep in hot water for about 3 mins.

Health Benefits of Rooibos

The health benefits of Red Bush are very similar to tea made from camellia sinensis leaves.

1. Contains similar amounts of polyphenols and has been shown to be anti-carcinogenic, anti-mutagenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral.
2. Naturally caffeine-free so is ideal for people who want to cut back on caffeine or want to drink it before going to bed. Actually it’s recommended you drink it before going to bed as it can help with insomnia. It’s also very low in tannins.
3. Contains calcium, manganese and fluoride to help build strong teeth and bones.
4. Can be given to infants suffering from colic, sleeping problems or stomach cramps. Simply add some milk to the tea.
5. Contains alpha hydroxy acid and zinc which is great for the skin. You can even apply it directly to the skin to help with acne, eczema and sunburn etc.
6. People with kidney stones can drink it because there’s no oxalic acid.
7. Full of vitamins and minerals such as zinc, copper, calcium, manganese, magnesium, potassium.