ROOIBOS: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Rooibos is a fragrant, caffeine-free tea made from the leaves and stems of a shrub called Aspalathus linearis. It's the national drink of South Africa.

Rooibos contains chemicals that might protect the heart and might also prevent age-related changes in the brain.

People use rooibos for hay fever, age-related decline in memory and thinking skills, anxiety, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for ROOIBOS overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Rooibos is commonly consumed in food and beverages. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if using rooibos in larger amounts as medicine is safe.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Rooibos is commonly consumed in food and beverages. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if using rooibos in larger amounts as medicine is safe.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if rooibos is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Medications for high blood pressure (ACE inhibitors) interacts with ROOIBOS
Rooibos might have a similar effect to ACE inhibitors. Taking rooibos with ACE inhibitors might cause increased effects and side effects.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates) interacts with ROOIBOS
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Rooibos might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) substrates) interacts with ROOIBOS
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Rooibos might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates) interacts with ROOIBOS
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Rooibos might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) substrates) interacts with ROOIBOS
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Rooibos might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with ROOIBOS
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Rooibos might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Atorvastatin (Lipitor) interacts with ROOIBOS
Rooibos might increase levels of atorvastatin in the blood. This may increase the effects and side effects of atorvastatin. Before taking rooibos, talk to your healthcare provider if you take atorvastatin.

Dosing

Traditionally, rooibos has been prepared as tea. But as medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of rooibos might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

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Döner SI, Gerçek H, Sert ÖA, Aytar A, Aytar A. The effects of aromatherapy massage in menopausal women with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled study. Explore (NY) 2024;20(6):103014. View abstract.

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182

Ferlazzo N, Cirmi S, Calapai G, Ventura-Spagnolo E, Gangemi S, Navarra M. Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Citrus bergamia Derivatives: Where Do We Stand? Molecules 2016;21(10). View abstract.

Ferro Y, Maurotti S, Mazza E, et al. Citrus bergamia and Cynara cardunculus reduce serum uric acid in individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Medicina. 2022;58(12):1728. View abstract.

Ferro Y, Montalcini T, Mazza E, et al. Randomized clinical trial: Bergamot citrus and wild cardoon reduce liver steatosis and body weight in non-diabetic individuals aged over 50 years. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020;11:494. View abstract.

Florentin M, Liberopoulos E, Elisaf MS, Tsimihodimos V. No effect of fenugreek, bergamot and olive leaf extract on glucose homeostasis in patients with prediabetes: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. Arch Med Sci Atheroscler Dis. 2019;4:e162-e166. View abstract.

Gliozzi M, Carresi C, Musolino V, et al. The effect of bergamot-derived polyphenolic fraction on LDL small dense particles and non alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with metabolic syndrome. Advances in Biological Chemistry. 2014;4(02):129.

Gliozzi M, Walker R, Muscoli S, et al. Bergamot polyphenolic fraction enhances rosuvastatin-induced effect on LDL-cholesterol, LOX-1 expression and protein kinase B phosphorylation in patients with hyperlipidemia. Int J Cardiol 2013;170(2):140-5. View abstract.

Graham PH, Browne L, Cox H, Graham J. Inhalation aromatherapy during radiotherapy: results of a placebo-controlled double-blind randomized trial. J Clin Oncol 2003;21:2372-6. View abstract.

Bramati L, Aquilano F, Pietta P. Unfermented rooibos tea: quantitative characterization of flavonoids by HPLC-UV and determination of the total antioxidant activity. J Agric Food Chem 2003;51(25):7472-7474. View abstract.

Kunishiro K, Tai A, Yamamoto I. Effects of rooibos tea extract on antigen-specific antibody production and cytokine generation in vitro and in vivo. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2001;65(10):2137-2145. View abstract.

Standley L, Winterton P, Marnewick JL, et al. Influence of processing stages on antimutagenic and antioxidant potentials of rooibos tea. J Agric Food Chem 2001;49(1):114-117. View abstract.

Ulicna O, Greksak M, Vancova O, et al. Hepatoprotective effect of rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis) on CCl4-induced liver damage in rats. Physiol Res 2003;52(4):461-466. View abstract.

Ulicna O, Vancova O, Bozek P, et al. Rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis) partially prevents oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Physiol Res 2005; View abstract.

Damiani E, Carloni P, Rocchetti G,et al. Impact of Cold versus Hot Brewing on the Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Capacity of Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) Herbal Tea. Antioxidants (Basel). 2019;8(10):499. View abstract.

Fantoukh OI, Dale OR, Parveen A, et al. Safety Assessment of Phytochemicals Derived from the Globalized South African Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus linearis) through Interaction with CYP, PXR, and P-gp. J Agric Food Chem. 2019;67(17):4967-4975. View abstract.

Gabuza KB, Buthelezi N, Kappo AP, et al. In vitro and in vivo hepatotoxicity study of Afriplex™ GRT through an inflammatory response. Toxicol Rep 2022;9:1920-1928. View abstract.

Inanami O, Asanuma T, Inukai N, et al. The suppression of age-related accumulation of lipid peroxides in rat brain by administration of Rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis). Neurosci Lett 1995;196:85-8. View abstract.

Kotzé-Hörstmann LM, Bedada DT, Johnson R, Mabasa L, Sadie-Van Gijsen H. The effects of a green Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) extract on metabolic parameters and adipose tissue biology in rats fed different obesogenic diets. Food Funct 2022;13(24):12648-12663. View abstract.

Marnewick JL, Rautenbach F, Venter I, et al. Effects of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) on oxidative stress and biochemical parameters in adults at risk for cardiovascular disease. J Ethnopharmacol. 2011;133(1):46-52. View abstract.

Nakano M, Itoh Y, Mizuno T, Nakashima H. Polysaccharide from Aspalathus linearis with strong anti-HIV activity. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 1997;61:267-71. View abstract.

Nakano M, Nakashima H, Itoh Y. Anti-human immunodeficiency virus activity of oligosaccharides from rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis) extracts in vitro. Leukemia 1997;11:128-30. View abstract.

Patel O, Muller CJF, Joubert E, et al. Pharmacokinetic Interaction of Green Rooibos Extract With Atorvastatin and Metformin in Rats. Front Pharmacol. 2019;10:1243. View abstract.

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Shimoi K, Masuda S, Shen B, et al. Radioprotective effects of antioxidative plant flavonoids in mice. Mutat Res 1996;350:153-61. View abstract.

Yang S, Lee C, Lee BS, Park EK, Kim KM, Bae JS. Renal protective effects of aspalathin and nothofagin from rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) in a mouse model of sepsis. Pharmacol Rep. 2018;70(6):1195-1201. View abstract.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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ROOIBOS - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Overview

Uses & Effectiveness

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Medications for high blood pressure (ACE inhibitors) interacts with ROOIBOS

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates) interacts with ROOIBOS

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) substrates) interacts with ROOIBOS

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates) interacts with ROOIBOS

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) substrates) interacts with ROOIBOS

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with ROOIBOS

Atorvastatin (Lipitor) interacts with ROOIBOS

Dosing