Roses are red, so is this tea. Rooibos is therapeutic, and sweet as can be!

Are you one who sips on beverages all day long? You simply must discover Red Rooibos tea. Hot or iced, it is a delight. If you like your beverages sickeningly sweet, experiment with stevia to avoid adding carbohydrates. Or, you can try xylitol (which fights tooth decay and is low-glycemic!) A low G.I, (Glycemic Index) syrupy sweetener is agave [which comes from a cactus] and is pretty expensive, and easy to over-do. Lemon juice is a flavor-enhancer, so you might add it to iced red tea. Or a splash of 100% fruit juice will sweeten it, naturally. Like an ounce of apple juice, cranberry or pomegranate!

My friend, Nira Levy owns the Rooibos Tea House on 533 N. Fairfax Avenue, down the street from the CBS station. She LOVES TO COOK WITH THE TEA. Her website is http://www.africanredtea.com/ Check out a few flavors. Nira notes, "the longer you cook the tea, the stronger the anti-oxidants become" [I am not certain where she got that information, but, it could be true]. Nira advises to re-use the tea and to not to dump it after the first cup. I take her advice. She is the tea lady. I recommend buying in bulk and using a stainless steel or natural cloth tea strainer.

Red Tea has been identified as an "anti-aging beverage" by scientists at the Institute for Science at AICHI Medical University in Japan. Their studies revealed red tea contains a powerful anti-oxidant that fights free radical damage: S.O.D. or Super Oxide Dismutase. The researchers felt red tea can significantly delay the aging process.

Rooibos has been used to treat mild depression (contains tryptophan, which raises serotonin), as well as nervousness/anxiety/insomnia, digestive disorders, and is helpful for asthmatics to assist breathing. It also helps build bones and protects the immune system.

The minerals in Red Tea include:
iron, potassium, calcium, copper, zinc, magnesium, manganese, fluoride and sodium.

Red Tea contains the phyto-nutrient and flavonol, Quercetin, to fortify and strengthen capillaries, which feed the cells.

Green Tea, Shmeen Tea. Dive into a cup of Red, Red, Rooibos, tonight.