During 2012 researchers at the biochemistry department for Stellenbosch University
discovered that Rooibos is able to reduce the production of Cortisol, a steroid
hormone secreted by the adrenal gland also known as a stress hormone, which
may prevent a number of stress-related diseases.
Professor Amanda Swart and her team of researchers from the university, found that
Rooibos contains components that can help alleviate stress and anxiety. Rooibos extracts
and compounds were tested in the laboratory on adrenal cells that were stimulated
to mimic a stress response similar to that which occurs in humans. It was found that
Rooibos lowers the production of Cortisol in the cells.
Aspalathin and Nothofagin, two rare components in Rooibos, were identified as
contributing to the stress-lowering effect. By lowering Cortisol levels, the effect of the
body’s response to stress is also lowered. The findings were published in The Journal of
Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology during 2012.
According to Swart, Cortisol is a significant part of the human metabolism and plays an
important role in the way humans respond to stress. Swart says Cortisol helps regulate fat,
protein and carbohydrate metabolism.
Studies of the consumption of Rooibos in humans have shown the beverage was able
to lower the production of the stress hormone. However, she emphasises that the steroid
hormone can be overproduced due to a stressful lifestyle which is linked to a number of
diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and Diabetes Type
2. She says keeping Cortisol at normal levels in the blood stream is key to a healthy lifestyle.
According to Marina Joubert, science communicator of the South African Rooibos Council,
Rooibos contains antioxidants that fight against lifestyle diseases and protect the body from
oxidated stress. She says research over the last 10 years has proven the herb can assist in
preventing cancer, protect the liver against disease, boost immune systems, delay ageing, relieve
allergies and treat digestive disorders.
Joubert is however adamant that despite all benefits of the herb, Rooibos should not be
seen as a substitute for medicine and should not be positioned as a medicine but rather,
with its preventative and curative properties as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Researchers recommend that six cups of tea should be consumed throughout
the day for Rooibos to be effective. Joubert admits not everyone is able to
drink six cups a day, and says alternative ways of consuming it include
having it in meat dishes, in potjiekos, as a marinade and in fruit
juice.
Rooibos
plays a part in reducing stress levels
