THE ROOIBOS STORY

Aspalathus linearis commonly referred to as rooibos, is a South African herbal tea that has become increasingly popular worldwide. The plant is endemic to the Western Cape of South Africa, where it is extensively cultivated for both domestic and international markets.

For centuries, the indigenous Khoisan women of South Africa have sipped the distinct red coloured herbal tea and sworn by its soothing and healing properties. They bruised the wet, freshly cut, needle-like leaves of the native shrub and allowed it to ferment in the hot African sun, turning the herb red. The resultant rooibos tea, better known as ‘redbush’, was traditionally used by the Khoisan tribe as an herbal medicine for a wide range of ailments.

FERMENTED ROOIBOS

The fermentation process used in the production of red rooibos destroys up to 90% of the aspalathin, the main flavonoid responsible for its antioxidant properties.

GREEN ROOIBOS

Green rooibos comes from the unfermented leaves and has a much higher antioxidant content than red rooibos, as the flavonoids have not been destroyed by oxidation.

API INGREDIENT

MAYSAMA – Green Rooibos Pressed Serum incorporates a unique Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API), Aspalathin-enriched Green Rooibos powdered extract, extracted through a patented process, yielding superior antioxidant potential.

12 REASONS WHY ROOIBOS IS GOOD FOR THE SKIN

Aside from boosting the immune system, rooibos tea drinkers have reported a rejuvenating effect for skin health. Skin benefits include reducing the signs of ageing and alleviating skin irritations and allergies. Accordingly, rooibos extract has been used in cosmetic products over the years but what is it about this wonder herb that makes it a powerhouse for skin health and healing?

Rooibos contains flavonoids, the main group of polyphenols, which act as antioxidants, fighting free radicals. Rooibos is considered unique due to the presence of aspalathin and aspalalinin, two monomeric flavonoids exclusive to rooibos. Green rooibos has more antioxidant benefit than the more popular oxidised (red) rooibos, because the flavonoids are not destroyed by the fermentation process.

Rooibos is rich with the enzyme superoxidedismutase, which plays a very important part in neutralizing free radicals. Free radicals are a by-product of cell metabolism that can damage cells, cause cancer and heart disease.

Rooibos provides a rich natural source of Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) and zinc, known for their anti-ageing properties.

Oxidative stress can induce inflammation. The main flavonoids in rooibos, aspalathin and nothofagin, have anti-inflammatory properties and so help to treat skin conditions such as eczema, acne and rosacea.

Loss of fat tissue in the face can lead to sunken eyes, fine lines and wrinkles and skin folds. Rooibos protects and repairs preadipocytes, the predominant cells in adipose (fat) tissue, helping to maintain skin fullness.

Rooibos can weaken protein glycation; a mechanism whereby proteins bind with sugar molecules to form Advanced Glycation End Products, also ironically known as AGE. Glycated collagen can lead to inflammation and destroy a functional collagen matrix, contributing to an aged skin appearance.

Rooibos is antibacterial, helping to treat and alleviate bacterial infections on the skin.

Such as calcium, iron, potassium, copper, fluoride, manganese, magnesium and zinc. These minerals may help boost the immune system and keep the body healthy.

Vitamin D is essential for skin health as it boosts the immune system and helps destroy free radicals that can cause premature ageing.

Polyphenols also have anti-viral properties, boosting the immune system and helping maintain that healthy glow.

Polyphenols in rooibos have anti-tumour and photoprotective properties, so Rooibos potentially offers sun protection and may help prevent skin cancer by delaying the progression of abnormal cell development.

Rooibos is hypoallergenic and unlikely to cause an allergic reaction, so is suited to all skin types.

12 REASONS WHY ROOIBOS IS GOOD FOR THE SKIN

Aside from boosting the immune system, rooibos tea drinkers have reported a rejuvenating effect for skin health. Skin benefits include reducing the signs of ageing and alleviating skin irritations and allergies. Accordingly, rooibos extract has been used in cosmetic products over the years but what is it about this wonder herb that makes it a powerhouse for skin health and healing?

Rooibos contains flavonoids, the main group of polyphenols, which act as antioxidants, fighting free radicals. Rooibos is considered unique due to the presence of aspalathin and aspalalinin, two monomeric flavonoids exclusive to rooibos. Green rooibos has more antioxidant benefit than the more popular oxidised (red) rooibos, because the flavonoids are not destroyed by the fermentation process.

Rooibos is rich with the enzyme superoxidedismutase, which plays a very important part in neutralizing free radicals. Free radicals are a by-product of cell metabolism that can damage cells, cause cancer and heart disease.

Rooibos provides a rich natural source of Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) and zinc, known for their anti-ageing properties.

Oxidative stress can induce inflammation. The main flavonoids in rooibos, aspalathin and nothofagin, have anti-inflammatory properties and so help to treat skin conditions such as eczema, acne and rosacea.

Loss of fat tissue in the face can lead to sunken eyes, fine lines and wrinkles and skin folds. Rooibos protects and repairs preadipocytes, the predominant cells in adipose (fat) tissue, helping to maintain skin fullness.

Rooibos can weaken protein glycation; a mechanism whereby proteins bind with sugar molecules to form Advanced Glycation End Products, also ironically known as AGE. Glycated collagen can lead to inflammation and destroy a functional collagen matrix, contributing to an aged skin appearance.

Rooibos is antibacterial, helping to treat and alleviate bacterial infections on the skin.

Such as calcium, iron, potassium, copper, fluoride, manganese, magnesium and zinc. These minerals may help boost the immune system and keep the body healthy.

Vitamin D is essential for skin health as it boosts the immune system and helps destroy free radicals that can cause premature ageing.

Polyphenols also have anti-viral properties, boosting the immune system and helping maintain that healthy glow.

Polyphenols in rooibos have anti-tumour and photoprotective properties, so Rooibos potentially offers sun protection and may help prevent skin cancer by delaying the progression of abnormal cell development.

Rooibos is hypoallergenic and unlikely to cause an allergic reaction, so is suited to all skin types.

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THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE BRAND

For all its skin healing properties, rooibos is best known for its antioxidant activity. Both red (fermented) and green (unfermented) rooibos contain high levels of flavonoids, the main polyphenols that fight oxidative stress from free radicals. Rooibos is considered unique due to the presence of aspalathin and aspalalinin, two monomeric flavonoids exclusive to rooibos.

The bioavailability of these polyphenols varies according to the raw ingredient and any extraction process used. Research shows, however, that the fermentation process used in the preparation of red rooibos significantly reduces the polyphenol content and destroys up to 90% of aspalathin, the rare flavonoid found in rooibos.

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