rooibos
Aspalathus linearis · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Extensive (738 studies) · ★★★★★
Rooibos, scientifically known as Aspalathus linearis, is a celebrated medicinal shrub native to South Africa's Cederberg mountains. Renowned for its antioxidant properties, this caffeine-free herbal infusion offers soothing benefits for digestion and skin health. Traditionally used in wellness rituals, it remains a globally cherished superfood and therapeutic botanical.
Names
Common Names
- rooibos-tea
- Bush-Tea
- Red Bush Tea
- Red Bush-Tea
- Red Tea
- Red-Tea
- Rooibos Tea
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- rooibos
- Aspalathus corymbosa
- Psoralea linearis
- Aspalathus linearis subsp. pinifolia
- Borbonia pinifolia
- Aspalathus cognata
- Lebeckia linearis
- Aspalathus tenuifolia
German:
- Rooibos
- Roibosh
- Rooibosch
- Rooibusch
- Rooibostee
- Rotbuschtee
- Roibos
- Rooibush
- Rooi
- Rooibostee
- Rooibos-Tee
- Rotbusch-Tee
French:
- rooibos
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Aspalathus linearisSynonyms
- Lebeckia linearis
- Lebeckia candolleana
- Aspalathus linearis subsp. pinifolia
- Achyronia tenuifolia
- Aspalathus corymbosa
- Psoralea linearis
- Genista contaminata
- Borbonia pinifolia
- Aspalathus cognata
- Aspalathus tenuifolia
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Aspalathus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Aspalathus | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is native to a specific region located within the southern portion of the African continent. Its natural habitat is primarily concentrated within the Cape Provinces of Southern Africa. This localized distribution means that it thrives under the unique climatic conditions found in these coastal and inland areas. Because of this restricted range, the species is considered an endemic element of the local flora. Consequently, the Cape Provinces serve as the essential environmental stronghold for its survival in the wild.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Africa | Cape Provinces | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Rooibos, utilizes various components for its medicinal and commercial value. The primary source of its antioxidant properties is found in the needle-like leaves, which are harvested and fermented to develop their distinct profile. The structural integrity of the shrub is provided by its woody stems, which support the growth of the foliage. While the roots are less commonly used in commercial production, they remain an integral part of the plant's biological system. For therapeutic applications, the dried material is often processed into fine powders for topical or supplemental use, or steeped in water to create nutrient-rich liquids used in teas and health tonics.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | Phytochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Aspalathus linearis has 126 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aspalathin, Chrysoeriol, Flavonoids, Nothofagin, RUTIN.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Aspalathin | 4 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Chrysoeriol | 3 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | 3 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Nothofagin | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| RUTIN | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-catechin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (R)-Eriodictyol-6-C-beta-D-glucopyranoside | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (S)-Eriodictyol-6-C-beta-D-glucopyranoside | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1,2-DICHLOROBENZENE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1-METHYLNAPHTHALENE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Aspalathin
- Dr. Duke
- Phytochemistry
- Phytotherapy research : PTR
- The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
Chrysoeriol
- Dr. Duke
- Phytotherapy research : PTR
- European journal of nutrition
Flavonoids
- Dr. Duke
- Andrologia
- Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry
Nothofagin
- Dr. Duke
- Phytotherapy research : PTR
RUTIN
- Dr. Duke
- Pharmacological research
(+)-catechin
- Dr. Duke
(R)-Eriodictyol-6-C-beta-D-glucopyranoside
- Phytochemistry
(S)-Eriodictyol-6-C-beta-D-glucopyranoside
- Phytochemistry
1,2-DICHLOROBENZENE
- Dr. Duke
1-METHYLNAPHTHALENE
- Dr. Duke
Activities
Aspalathus linearis has 548 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Chemopreventive, Antimutagenic, Antispasmodic, Bronchodilator.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | Dr. Duke (and other 6 sources) | ★★★☆☆ |
| Chemopreventive | Dr. Duke (and other 3 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimutagenic | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antispasmodic | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bronchodilator | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-Chronotropic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-Inotropic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 11B-HSD-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-HT-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Aspalathus linearis has 19 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cardiovascular disease, male infertility, AIDS, DNA fragmentation, aging.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| cardiovascular disease | Food & function (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| male infertility | Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AIDS | Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| DNA fragmentation | Andrologia (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aging | Biogerontology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| allergies | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| allergy | Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| high blood pressure | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| rooibos | Biogerontology (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Rooibos tea | Ecology and evolution (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aqueous extract of fermented rooibos | Andrologia (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bags | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| granulates | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herbal tea extracts | The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| liquids | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methanol extracts | BioFactors (Oxford, England) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| powders | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |