Our Honeybush Tisane is a wild-grown South African shrub of the holly family. It is named after its wonderful honeyed aroma. Also known as Heuningbos, bergtee or mountain tea, it brings a mellifluo...
Our Honeybush Tisane is a wild-grown South African shrub of the holly family. It is named after its wonderful honeyed aroma. Also known as Heuningbos, bergtee or mountain tea, it brings a mellifluous array of health benefits such as anti-allergenic and digestive soothing properties. Like Rooibos, Honeybush is also caffeine-free and is often described as it's sweeter cousin.
When steeped in hot water this sweet, palatable brew also has many nutritious benefits without tasting too medicinal. It carries very small trace elements of minerals, such as calcium, zinc and iron. It also has certain beneficial antioxidant plant compounds. Research has shown that it is particularly rich in a group of antioxidants called polyphenols, more importantly: Flavanones and Xanthones. Examination of the Honeybush extract shows that the main type of xanthine is mangifern and the most dominant flavanones are hesperidin and isokuranetin. Both mangifern and hesperidin are attributed with anti-inflammatory qualities, which might explain why it is a favourite bed-time drink with arthritis sufferers.
Most striking of all its medicinal claims is one that could help alleviate one of the world's most prevalent diseases - diabetes. The Mangiferin polyphenol has been shown to lower blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin secretion and in some experiments even promoting the regeneration of pancreatic cells possibly damaged by diabetes. Hesperidin also helps to lower blood sugar levels in a different way, by regulating the key enzymes that are involved in sugar metabolism.
The wide range of health benefits don't stop there. The mangifern and hesperidin compounds found in Honeybush have also been attributed to helping both bone and skin health. So it could even be a drink to add to your arsenal of anti-aging products! Studies have shown that it can successfully reduce crow's feet by improving the skin's elasticity. It seem bit extreme to empty the dregs of your teapot onto your face but you can even rub it in to protect skin cells from the damaging effects of UV radiation!
Mangifern is also being studied to see if its anti-cancer potential can be proven and realised. It could help to inhibit the spread of cancer cells. However the fermentation process may stifle the tea's antioxidant content. These antioxidants can also stimulate fat breakdown. This would make it a great potential partner in the fight against obesity, afflicting most of the developed world.
The tisane's iso-flavone compounds have the ability to mimic female oestrogen and could help to alleviate adverse menopausal symptoms. Mangifern is also being studied to check out whether it boosts macrophage activity. This is a type of white blood cell that sweeps up and digests foreign bodies giving vital support to compromised immune systems.
Traditionally Honeybush has been used to treat colds and 'flu as it does have expectorant properties. This ability to break down mucus build-up is another amazing quality that could help to alleviate respiratory problems, again another modern disease ravaging so-called 'developed' countries.
What a list of attributes?! Anti-Allergenic, Pro-digestive, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-diabetic, Anti-aging, Anti-cancer, Anti-osteoporosis, Pro-immune system, Alleviating respiratory diseases and even a possible cure for the common cold! Is Honeybush a cure-all? Most of these ailments are diseases and afflictions of the Modern World. Have we lost touch with some of Nature's benefits that are staring us in the face?