Antioxidant-rich red tea is the latest hot drink

Add red tea, or rooibos tea, to the expanding spectrum of antioxidant teas. The name, pronounced roy-boss, means “red bush” in Afrikaans. Rooibos tea is made by drying and fermenting the green leaves of the native South African shrub Aspalathus linearis, which redden during the process. The tea -- fruity, caffeine free, mineral rich and packed with antioxidants -- has been used by indigenous South Africans for centuries. Europeans began cultivating it in the early 1900s, but only recently has it made its way to the U.S. market.

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Uses: In Africa, rooibos is given to babies for colic and taken by adults during pregnancy and when suffering digestive problems. Current claims for rooibos seem ever-expanding: People take it to boost immunity, maintain bone density, lower blood pressure, suppress appetite, calm nerves and prevent cancer, HIV infection and memory loss. Some spas also recommend applying it to the skin for conditions including sunburn and acne.

Dose: Rooibos is sold in capsule form, but it’s much easier to find as a tea. One to three cups a day are recommended for most conditions, using one to four teaspoons of dried herb per cup.

Precautions: Centuries of use haven’t produced evidence of any side effects, but rooibos has yet to undergo rigorous clinical testing.

Research: Rooibos has demonstrated anti-HIV capabilities in several test-tube studies. In animal studies, it prevents radiation damage; several experiments have shown it to prevent liver damage in rats. Still, existing evidence is not enough to support rooibos’ far-reaching claims.

Dietary supplement makers are not required by the U.S. government to demonstrate that their products are safe or effective. Ask your healthcare provider for advice on selecting a brand.

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-- Elena Conis