Rooibos Tea Honey and Lemon Recipe
Native to the fynbos region of the Western Cape, rooibos (meaning “red bush” in Afrikaans) is proudly local and has a special place in the heart of South Africans. Technically a herb, and not from the tea plant like typical white tea or oolong, rooibos is wonderfully versatile, healthy, and pretty tasty.
Can you remember an older relative, such Gogo or Ouma, brewing rooibos tea with honey and lemon to relive sore throats and coughs?
Rooibos tea, which is rich in flavonoids, antioxidants and polyphenols, can do much more for health than just respiratory conditions. According to medical research, benefits extend to Type 2 Diabetes, heart conditions, and even stress reduction.
Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon raw honey
- 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teabag pure rooibos tea
- Three whole cloves (optional)
Instructions:
- Bring the water to a boil.
- Once boiled, remove from heat.
- Add the rooibos teabag and the optional cloves.
- Cover and steep for seven minutes.
- Remove the teabag and cloves.
- Add the raw honey and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Mix well.
- Pour into a teacup and serve hot.
Benefits of Drinking Rooibos Tea (According to Science)
- Relief for Congestive Respiratory Ailments. According to a medical study in 2006, Rooibos tea has confirmed bronchodilator and antispasmodic effects. Along with lowering blood pressure and improving circulation in heart patients, rooibos has a sound basis as a therapy for congestive respiratory ailments according to the study.
- Improve Cholesterol Levels. In a study at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, adults at risk of cardiovascular disease drank six cups of fermented/traditional rooibos tea daily for six weeks. Favorably, LDL-cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and triacylglycerol levels decreased, whilst HDL-cholesterol (good cholesterol) had a noticeable increased.
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