A long long time ago, I was incredibly anemic. Like more anemic than any doctor I had had ever seen. Really bad. To make a long story short, my genius of a doctor, Dr. David Hirsh, figured out that the 2 litres (i used to live in the UK. Pardon my spelling) of green tea I was drinking was blocking all of my iron absorption. Whoops. I thought I was doing something beneficial for my health! yeah....
I was drinking cups full of green tea for its antioxidant properties. Come to find out, when J and I went on our 2nd year anniversary trip, we discovered an awesome tea store called Vermont Liberty Tea Company. The owner informed me that Rooibos tea, especially Green Rooibos Tea is an all-natural herbal tea that contians MORE antioxidants than green tea! Who knew? I was intrigued so we bought some loose leaf tea and off we went. When I got back home, I tried the Fruit and Lavender Rooibos (contianing Rooibos, rosehips shells, lavender, dried raisins, blueberries and currants with natural flavors). I was in heaven. It was so marvelous, I never missed my green tea. And, my iron count went back up to normal levels! Coincidence? I think not.
Turns out that not only does it not block iron absorption--no, Rooibos increases iron absorption. Bonus! Needless to say, I've been drinking that flavor and many others ever since. I just love it. Delish.
When I was pregnant with C, sometimes I would go to Teavana in the mall and get a made-to-order tea concoction. One day, my tea maker (is there a fancy word for that? I'm sure there is in China...) asked me if I was drinking it for the health of my baby..."no," i said, "I just like it." Come to find out yet another benefit of Rooibos--it helps you when you are pregnant and even your baby can consume it! Bonus!
When it came time to introduce solids to C (more on that soon), I was told that she needed to start drinking water, too. She hates it. Water, that is. Won't drink it. So, why not try Rooibos tea? Guess what? She l-o-v-e-s it and gulps it down as soon as she tastes it on her tongue she wants more. Bonus, yet again. Is there anything Rooibos cannot do? (well, yes, it can't do everything but, hey, it still does a lot, too!)
After giving her Rooibos for several days I thought, "hmmm. I'm giving her rooibos based on a tea seller's advice--and not a pediatrician's. Guess I should google it."
Here is what I've found so far:
- Rooibos tea can soothe baby's discomfort naturally and can be applied topically to help relieve 'cradle cap' and even nappy rash.
- Let Rooibos tea become your trusted friend. Precious relief can now be found not only in pacifying babies, but in the relaxation of adults too.
- A truly holistic wonder, the benefits of Rooibos can assist your baby throughout his or her entire life, and aid you in yours.
- Suitable for the entire family, Rooibos tea's herbal goodness is awaiting your discovery - treat the ones you love to nature's secret medial wonder.
- According to studies conducted in South Africa and Japan Rooibos has been shown to aid in health problems such as insomnia (*very helpful in infants!), irritability, headaches, nervous tension, and hypertension.
- Studies also show that this tea contains anti-spasmodic agents, which can relieve stomach cramping and colic in infants.
