What is honeybush?
Honeybush is a flowering shrub native to the Eastern and Western Cape regions of South Africa. It grows only in coastal mountainous regions, which makes it challenging to harvest and therefore highly prized. Honeybush is closely related to rooibos (also known as red tea) and is commonly used to make flavorful herbal teas. The honeybush shrub has bright yellow flowers that have a distinct honey scent. The leaves of the Cyclopia genistoides – honeybush plant – are harvested, fermented and dried to prepare them to be a component in sweet and fragrant herbal teas.
What are the health benefits of honeybush tea?
Honeybush tea has been used as an herbal remedy for skin conditions, constipation, stress, coughs and menopausal complaints in South Africa for hundreds of years.* When scientists and doctors looked closer at the delicious infusion produced from honeybush leaves, they made several exciting discoveries. One such discovery was that honeybush tea is rich in polyphenols, which are well known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.* An exciting 2018 study found that honeybush tea demonstrates “potent antidiabetic properties” potentially due to the high quantities of hesperidin present in the plant.* The Republic of Tea has incorporated honeybush in its SuperDigest Tea® Collection because of its ability to aid digestion, while combating heartburn and nausea.* In a 2023 study, honeybush tea was found to encourage wound healing and even have sun protection factor (SPF) qualities when applied topically.* More research is needed to fully understand the health and wellness properties of this amazing South African tea. Scientists have only scratched the surface of the benefits of drinking honeybush tea. Enjoying a cup of this sweet golden tea is a great way to bring a moment of calm to your day, and may have some wellness benefits for your body as well.*
Is honeybush tea healthy?
South African honeybush tea is a delicious herbal tea that has been investigated by scientists as a source of potentially anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and antioxidant polyphenols.* It is a naturally caffeine free herbal tea, so it is a healthy choice for those avoiding caffeine.
Honeybush tea can even be enjoyed just before bed without negatively impacting your sleep cycle. Honeybush tea is a naturally sweet beverage that is a delight to consume even without added sugars, which makes this a great beverage choice for anyone trying to cut back on their sugar intake. Steeping a soothing cup of honeybush tea is a delicious way to take a hydration break, without consuming sugar and caffeine. This is a healthy tea suitable for most anyone to enjoy.
What does honeybush tea taste like?
Honeybush tea is often described as sweet, floral and lightly roasted. Many also say it has a strong smell and taste of honey. Some honeybush tea drinkers report that premium honeybush tea has tasting notes of apricot jam and orange blossom. Honeybush tea is extremely low in the tannins that can make tea taste bitter. This leads to a smooth and sweet sipping experience. The Ministers at The Republic of Tea have incorporated the decadent honey flavor of this tea into two of their most popular SuperDigest Teas®. The next time you are craving a sweet after-dinner beverage, a steaming cup of Organic Hibiscus Beet Ginger SuperDigest Tea® or Organic Honeybush Vanilla Turmeric SuperDigest Tea® might be just the ticket.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
