Practical
Plants

Aspalathus linearis

Rooibos

a perennial woody member of the Aspalathus genus in the family Leguminosae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Woodiness
woody
Height
2 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

A tea made from the dried fermented leaves tastes similar to oriental tea made from Camellia sinensis[2]. It is less astringent, however, due to the lower tannin content[2]. It is caffeine-free, but has a higher content of fluoride which might help to protect against tooth decay[2]. Recent research has shown that this tea contains a substance similar to superoxide dismutase, an antioxidant compound that is thought to retard the ageing process[2]. The leaves and stems are harvested in the summer, fermented and sun dried for later use[2]. The leaves are sometimes used as a flavouring in foods and in baking[4].

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Flavouring
Plant part
Leaves
Preparation
Dried, Fermented
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

Rooibos was traditionally used by the Bushmen and Hottentots of South Africa and is becoming increasingly popular in the West as a pleasant tasting tea that also has health benefits[4]. A tea made from the leaves and stems of rooibos is generally beneficial to the digestive system and relaxes spasms[2], it has been used in the treatment of vomiting, diarrhoea and other mild gastric complaints[4]. It has also been shown to be of benefit when used internally and externally in the treatment of a wide range of allergies especially milk allergy[4], eczema, hay fever and asthma in infants[2].

Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Plant part
Leaves
Product or use
Allergies

Environment

Range
S. Africa - south and south-west Cape.
Habitat
Sandy hills and on the sides of mountains[3]. Well-drained, sandy but moisture-retaining, non-acidic soils[4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow late spring in a greenhouse covering the seed with about 10mm of soil[2][4]. It will probably be beneficial to pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water prior to sowing. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots of well-drained sandy soil as soon as they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter and plant them out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. It will probably be wise to give the plants protection from the cold and from excessive rain for at least their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood in a closed frame in early summer[1].

Cultivation

Requires a very well-drained acid sandy soil and a warm sunny position[1]. When grown in pots it needs to be kept dry but not arid in the winter[1]. This species tolerates several degrees of frost in its native habitat[1], though this cannot be applied directly to plants grown in Britain because of our cooler summers and colder, wetter winters. Plants are said to be frost-tolerant in one report[2], but in general plants are usually pot-grown in greenhouses in this country and can be brought into the garden for the summer[1]. Cultivated commercially for its leaves, which are used to make a tea. Rooibos is one of the few wild species to have been developed as a commercial crop in the last 100 years[2]. It is grown for use as a tea, though it is also used medicinally[2]. Commercial plantations last for about 7 years before they need to be replaced. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[1].

References

  1. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  2. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10↩11

  3. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  4. Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-85613-067-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

Edit this page