Rooibos Tea

Evidence note: we did not find an NIH, EU or clinical-guideline source for rooibos tea. This page uses the one review we could read, and says where proper evidence was not found.

Overview and identity

Rooibos is made from Aspalathus linearis (rooibos). It is not Camellia sinensis, so it is a herbal tea (tisane) rather than a true tea. Rooibos is traditionally associated with South Africa; half of the human studies in a scoping review were conducted there. [1] Rooibos tea may be sold fermented (the usual red form), unfermented ("green") or blended; in that review, 62% of studies used fermented, unfermented or black rooibos. [1]

What the research shows

A 2023 scoping review (a review that maps existing research rather than pooling results) found 18 publications with 488 participants aged 6 to 83. Earlier knowledge about anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties mostly came from animal and cell studies. The review reports that, in healthy and at-risk people, rooibos was shown to improve lipid profiles, boost antioxidant status and lower blood glucose, with amounts from 200 to 1,200 ml of tea. [1] A scoping review does not rate study quality or pool results, so this is a description of what small studies reported, not proof of benefit. Proper evidence not found for specific conditions, safe long-term amounts, or medicine interactions.

Caffeine

Rooibos is described as caffeine-free in comparisons of herbal teas, though blends may add other ingredients. [2] Check the ingredient list.

Safety

Proper evidence not found: we could not find a source we could read on rooibos in pregnancy, liver effects or interactions, so we make no safety claim beyond "check with a pharmacist if you take medicines or are pregnant".