Rooibos much more than just a nightcap
Extracts to stop, repair sun damage
ROOIBOS has the potential to do more than just relax you before bed when taken as a nightcap. It can also help repair sundamaged skin.
Professor Wentzel Gelderblom of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s (CPUT) Institute of Biomedical and Microbial Biotechnology has for the last 11 years been one of the leading researchers involved in studying Rooibos.
The research team has been looking at the different ways extracts from the herb can help people with skin damage caused by over-exposure to the sun.
According to Gelderblom and his team, Rooibos extracts have the ability to remove precancerous damaged cells and also block the onset of inflammation.
“It does so by stopping the multiplication of cancerous cells and removing these cells through programmed cell death, in other words, prompting them to commit suicide.”
Gelderblom said the abundance of polyphenols (antioxidants) – natural compounds found in Rooibos – gives it restorative power.
Gelderblom said there were still a number of tests that need to be done before an after-sun skincare product is brought to market.
“Preliminary findings show that Rooibos extracts are more effective during the early stages of skin cancer development as they are able to facilitate the removal of UVB damage cells, thereby delaying their progression into a tumour.”
Before Gelderblom’s skin product is available on the market, here are some tips in the meantime:
Boil the leaves in water and allow to cool. Use a cotton ball to apply the liquid on affected areas;
Wash your face with cold or lukewarm Rooibos tea instead of water; it is a great alternative skin freshener;
Treat tired and sensitive eyes to a rinse with lukewarm Rooibos. Alternatively, you can also hold cold Rooibos teabags over your eyes;
Use a Rooibos face mask – take half a cup of strong, plain Rooibos tea (fairly warm); add half a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and two teaspoons of oatmeal. Allow the mixture to cool, apply it over your face and neck and relax for about 15 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm plain Rooibos tea.
Bath in Rooibos if the body has suffered damage. — siyab@dispatch.co.za