Last update Nov. 4, 2023

Rooibos

Compatible

Safe substance and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

Shrub which is native from South Africa that is used as a tea since 1930. Constituents are: flavonoids, antioxidants like aspalathin, quercetin, rutin, nothofagin, luteolin, orientin among others, phenol acids, ascorbic acid, low tannin. None has shown to have a caffeine-like effect. Contains some phytoestrogen (Shimamura 2006). Effectiveness on traditional indications like antispasmodic or sedative effect has not been shown (McKay 2007). According to the Commission E of the German Ministry of Health it is an useless medication.

At latest update, relevant information on excretion into breast milk was not found.

Absorption through the gut and skin is poor.

Anti-oxidant property has not been found to be higher in the milk from mothers who have taken rooibos or whatever herb.

Commonly used in South Africa. Despite of a lack of scientific evidence, it seems to be harmless with a not abusive consumption (McKay 2007). Some cases of hepatotoxicity have been detected (Carirer 2021, Sinisalo 2010). Moderate and occasional use is recommended while breastfeeding.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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Other names

Rooibos is also known as


Rooibos in other languages or writings:

Groups

Rooibos belongs to these groups or families:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Rooibos in its composition:

References

  1. Carrier P, Debette-Gratien M, Jacques J, Grau M, Loustaud-Ratti V. Rooibos, a fake friend. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol. 2021 Mar;45(2):101499. Abstract
  2. Sinisalo M, Enkovaara AL, Kivistö KT. Possible hepatotoxic effect of rooibos tea: a case report. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2010 Abstract
  3. Stalmach A, Mullen W, Pecorari M, Serafini M, Crozier A. Bioavailability of C-linked dihydrochalcone and flavanone glucosides in humans following ingestion of unfermented and fermented rooibos teas. J Agric Food Chem. 2009 Abstract
  4. Huang M, du Plessis J, du Preez J, Hamman J, Viljoen A. Transport of aspalathin, a Rooibos tea flavonoid, across the skin and intestinal epithelium. Phytother Res. 2008 Abstract
  5. McKay DL, Blumberg JB. A review of the bioactivity of South African herbal teas: rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) and honeybush (Cyclopia intermedia). Phytother Res. 2007 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  6. Shimamura N, Miyase T, Umehara K, Warashina T, Fujii S. Phytoestrogens from Aspalathus linearis. Biol Pharm Bull. 2006 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)

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