Honeybush Tea is a herbal infusion often associated with Rooibos. However, despite several similarities, these two beverages likewise boast a multitude of unique qualities. When it comes to Honeybush Tea benefits, in particular, there is indeed much to mention! 

The article below will explore all aspects of this fascinating brew while also answering some of your frequently asked questions (FAQ).

What is Honeybush Tea?

What is Honeybush Tea?

This is a type of Herbal Tea originating from the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Its cousin, Rooibos, meanwhile, grows exclusively in the Western Cape Province.

Honeybush comes from the Cyclopia plant, a member of the legume family, Fabaceae, which in turn is of the subfamily Faboideae. It produces trifoliolate leaves, single-flowered inflorescences and sweetly-scented, bright-yellow flowers. 

These flowers have prominent grooves on the standard petal, a thrust-in calyx base and two bracts fused at the base around the pedicel. When in bloom, the plant exudes an alluringly potent aroma similar to that of honey - hence the name!

Best of all, following the processing of leaves (the component used for making Tea), this outstanding quality transcends in taste.

It’s likely that the indigenous people of South Africa first applied Honeybush Tea benefits to their lives many centuries ago. However, the earliest mention of it in botanical literature was in 1705. This coincided with the British and Dutch colonisation of southern Africa. 

In 1814, the British government purchased the area now known as the Eastern Cape from the Dutch. During this period, the potential for a Honeybush Tea industry became a reality due to extensive research.

Now, of course, we know a great deal more about this remarkable infusion!

Honeybush vs Rooibos

Honeybush vs Rooibos

Red Bush Tea has, in recent years, become increasingly popular due to its exceptional flavour and well-documented Rooibos Tea benefits.

As mentioned already, it comes from the Western Cape Province, specifically the Cederberg region, while Honeybush originates from the Eastern Cape. However, their differences don’t stop there. 

When brewed, Redbush offers a natural sweetness with notes reminiscent of nuts, honey and caramel. Honeybush Tea, in comparison, is slightly gentler in taste with herbaceous flavours and earthy undertones.

Indeed, those who find Rooibos overwhelming often choose this beverage instead. Whatever you decide upon, be sure to buy the best quality products from our range! 

Does Honeybush Tea have Caffeine?

Does Honeybush Tea have Caffeine?

Nevertheless, there remain some elements that both Honeybush and Rooibos have in common. Both, for example, are low in tannins, which in turn are astringent polyphenols most typically found in Green Tea and Black Tea.

Furthermore, and perhaps more importantly, these brews are entirely caffeine-free. Is this a good or bad thing? Well, that very much depends on your perspective!

If you’re in need of a caffeinated kick, you’d be better off choosing so-called ‘real’ Tea, Coffee or Yerba Mate. (In case you’re wondering, ‘real’ Tea refers to any infusion originating from the Camellia sinensis plant).

If, however, you’re looking to cut down your caffeine intake, then Honeybush Tea benefits are, undoubtedly, an excellent choice. 

Honeybush Tea Properties

Honeybush Tea Properties

Honeybush Tea contains several vitamins, minerals and antioxidants capable of combating free radicals in the body, the product of natural, though harmful, human oxidation.

By neutralising these free radicals, this nutritious brew can reduce the risk of developing a multitude of chronic conditions. This includes cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes and even, potentially, cancer. 

Below is a table showcasing just some of its chemical compounds: 

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Honeybush Tea Constituents

Boron Sodium Calcium
Phosphorus Coumestans Iron
Magnesium Potassium Flavones
Luteolin Manganese Zinc
Nitrogen Isoflavones 4-hydroxycinnamic Acid

This is to name but a few of its components. Keep reading below to find out more about how Honeybush Tea benefits can improve your life in small yet significant ways

Honeybush Tea Benefits

Honeybush Tea Benefits

It appears that Rooibos Tea Benefits might have some competition! Already, studies suggest that Honeybush Tea benefits can boost the immune system, provide anti-inflammatory properties and even relieve nervousness and menopausal discomfort.

Furthermore, it has the potential to regulate blood pressure, improve sleep, soothe eczema and support those with gout.

But don’t take our word for it. Read the science behind it all! We have compiled the latest research into Honeybush Tea benefits below, explaining in-depth how it maintains one’s health and wellbeing.

Whatever your particular ailment, there is a good chance this infusion can help! What more could you want from your morning cuppa?

Helps with blood pressure

Honeybush Tea Helps with Blood Pressure 

According to recent statistics, 30% of the world’s population experience high blood pressure. Could Honeybush Tea benefits be the answer?

Possibly. This is because Honeybush, like Rooibos Tea, acts as a sort of bronchodilator. Bronchodilators are a type of medication that can make breathing easier by relaxing the muscles in the lungs and widening the airways (bronchi).

While bronchodilators most commonly treat respiratory conditions, they can also reduce high blood pressure. This, in turn, reduces the risk of a heart attack, heart failure, stroke and other conditions including kidney disease and dementia.

However, it’s worth noting that the potential for Honeybush Tea blood pressure benefits remains inconclusive due to a lack of research.

Skin Looks Healthier with Honeybush 

Skin Looks Healthier with Honeybush 

Did you know that Honeybush Tea benefits skin, too? This is in part due to its anti-inflammatory response, which can reduce skin swelling.

Additionally, it might reduce the signs of ageing, protect against sun damage and even, when applied topically, exfoliate the skin. This eliminates dead, rough skin cells from the face as well as any excess oil and pollutants.

Ultimately, this beverage helps in promoting healthy features in the skin, including elasticity, barrier function, pigmentation and humidity. However, similar to Honeybush Tea blood pressure benefits, few studies exist to support these findings.

The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company, therefore, await further research before endorsing this Tea for this purpose.

Honeybush Tea Helps with Menopause Stress 

Honeybush Tea Helps with Menopause Stress 

When it comes to Honeybush Tea benefits and menopausal relief, the good news is that there’s irrefutable evidence backing this claim. Indeed, according to a 2006 study conducted by the University of Stellenbosch, it has phytoestrogenic properties.

This enables the beverage to behave like estrogen in the body, which in turn contributes significantly to a reduction in discomfort caused by menopause.

What about stress relief? For this, it’s important to start at the beginning. New research has established that chronic stress disrupts sleep and blood sugar levels.

This then leads to increased hunger and comfort eating. In time, this becomes a cruel circle whereby one continues to overindulge, thus causing more stress, until it increases type-2 diabetes risks.

The answer is relatively simple: stop, brew up a cup of Honeybush Tea and relax. You’ve earned it!

Honeybush Tea Helps you Sleep

Honeybush Tea Helps you Sleep

Have you ever wondered whether you should drink Tea before bed? Most types, after all, contain an abundance of caffeine, which in large quantities can cause jitteriness and restlessness.

Honeybush Tea, on the other hand, can, in fact, help you wake up on the RIGHT side of bed. Although its lack of caffeine has a part to play, its wealth in minerals also has a significant influence.

In particular, Honeybush Tea contains magnesium, a chemical compound that can, among other qualities, relieve insomnia. Even when you’re not trying to catch some shut-eye, this remarkable constituent has the ability to release tension while helping you to relax.

Could Honeybush Tea benefits one day challenge the likes of Camomile and Lavender Tea as sleep-improving herbal remedies? Maybe!

Honeybush Tea During Pregnancy

Honeybush Tea During Pregnancy

While pregnant, it’s essential to monitor what you consume to ensure the safety of both mother and child. Beverages such as Raspberry Leaf Tea in Pregnancy have long been recommended during the third trimester of pregnancy for its reported health benefits.

But what about Honeybush Tea? Is it safe to drink this particular herbal infusion when you’re expecting? 

It seems as if, for the most, there is nothing to worry about with Honeybush Tea. Indeed, there are some suggestions that it can support the process along due to its wealth in vitamins and minerals. What’s more, due to its lack of caffeine, it makes for an excellent alternative to ‘regular’ Tea or Coffee.

Like any Type of Herbal Tea, though, it’s always best to take precautions. If you have any concerns, it’s vital to consult a doctor or another health professional before opting for Honeybush Tea benefits while pregnant.

First and foremost, we care about the welfare of our customers. 

Potential Side Effects of Honeybush Tea

Potential Side Effects of Honeybush Tea

Honeybush Tea side effects are few and far between, which means, in other words, that it’s almost always safe to drink. Nevertheless, there are some precautions worth noting, including the possibility that it might, under some circumstances, interact with medications.

If you’re currently taking anything prescribed by a doctor, we recommend consulting them before buying Honeybush Tea.

Furthermore, breastfeeding women should monitor their Herbal Tea intake (no matter the type) as it might interact with milk production. Any concerns should be taken up with a doctor or another health professional BEFORE drinking this beverage for Honeybush Tea benefits.

The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company is here to provide the preliminary evidence. It is NOT here to advise.

Buy Honeybush Tea

Buy Honeybush Tea

Are you interested in trying Honeybush Tea for yourself? Look no further than here! We stock two types: The standalone Honeybush Herbal Tea and Honeybush Chocolate Cake Tea. Whichever one you choose, you’re undoubtedly in for a treat. But what, exactly, do they have to offer? 

The latter variety, as its name suggests, is a type of Flavoured Herbal Tea. Infusing the naturally sweet flavours of Honeybush with the delights of chocolate and rosebuds, this beverage melts in your mouth while satisfying your sweet tooth.

Ultimately, it meets all of your dessert needs (and cravings!) without spoiling your diet. What’s not to like?

Then, of course, we have the traditional choice, a brew that boasts a distinct herbaceous flavour with unmistakably sweet hints. Best of all, we pack every Tea, Tisane and Coffee fresh to order, ensuring not only quality but also consistency. 

Author: Richard Smith

Partner at The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company

Richard Smith is a Tea expert, entrepreneur, and owner of The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company. Part of a family of renowned Tea planters dating back four generations, he was born in Calcutta (Kolkata), India, where he spent his childhood between Tea Estates in Assam and Darjeeling.

In the late 1970s, having accumulated years of knowledge in the industry, Mr Smith and his mother, Janet Smith, moved to Kent, South East England, to establish a Tea business in the village of Pluckley. Their early days of packing Tea Bags by hand from chests of 10,000 prompted the creation of the company’s flagship infusion known as Pluckley Tea. It remains our most popular product today.

Mr Smith, who studied economics at London Polytechnic, has since specialised in over 1,000 types of Loose Leaf Tea - in addition to around 70 varieties of Roast Coffee - from around the world. These are now available at The Kent and Sussex Tea and Coffee Company, where everything is still packed by hand and fresh to order, not only to honour tradition but to ensure the utmost quality and consistency.

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