STAVE OFF COLDS AND FLU WITH ROOIBOS POWER SMOOTHIES

If you’re looking for natural ways to beat the cold and flu season, give your immune system a much-needed nutrient boost with one of these delicious, antioxidant-packed Rooibos smoothies.

Rooibos’ medicinal attributes have been confirmed by scientists from around the globe and in SA. The tea is capable of reducing cardiovascular disease and premature aging, has cancer-fighting properties and is a powerful immune-booster.

Ernest du Toit, spokesperson for the Rooibos Council says the tea contains polyphenols that have anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antimutagenic qualities, which are organic chemicals that are known for their antioxidant capabilities.

“Polyphenols act as scavengers of free radicals throughout the body, which are detrimental by-products of cell metabolism that can cause a host of ailments. Aspalathin and nothofagin are two other vital antioxidants that Rooibos tea contains, making it a great beverage to boost your immune system and protect your body against all types of diseases and conditions,” says du Toit.

The nutritional value of Rooibos are as follows:

NUTRIENT	FUNCTION IN THE BODY	PER 200 ml
Iron (Fe)	Essential for transportation of oxygen in red blood cells; combats fatigue	0,07 mg
Potassium (K)	Essential part of the body’s metabolic processes	7,12mg
Zinc (Zn)	Plays a vital role in growth, resistance to disease, healing of wounds and health of skin and hair	0,04 mg
Manganese (Mn)	Essential for a healthy nervous system and for other metabolic processes	0,04 mg
Copper (Cu)	Another vital component of the body’s metabolic processes	0,07 mg
Calcium (Ca)	Essential for strong bones and teeth	1,09 mg
Sodium (Na)	Responsible for maintaining fluid and acid-base balance	6,16 mg
Magnesium (Mg)	Important for a healthy nervous system and for other metabolic processes	1,57 mg
Fluoride (F)	Essential for healthy bones and teeth	0,22 mg

Prevention is key so be sure to boost those immune fighting soldiers with any one or a combination of these enjoyable eight Rooibos power smoothies created by the Rooibos Council.

1. ROOIBOS, STRAWBERRY AND ORANGE SMOOTHIE

Ingredients for 1 serving

1 – 2 rooibos tea bags

125 ml boiling water

225 g frozen strawberries

½ a peeled and chopped orange

125 g silken tofu

1 tbsp vanilla protein powder

1 tsp liquid honey, optional

 

Step-by-step

1. Put the rooibos bags in a teapot or heatproof jug and pour over the water. Steep for 8 to 10 minutes, then remove the bag. Leave to cool.
2. Put the tea, berries, tofu and protein powder into a blender and process until smooth. Sweeten to taste with honey and pour into glasses. Serve immediately.

 

Handy tip:

• Silken tofu adds a lovely creamy richness
• Replace the rooibos tea bag with a red berries rooibos tea bag

 

2. BLUEBERRY POMEGRANATE ROOIBOS ANTIOXIDANT SMOOTHIE

Ingredients for 2 medium servings

1 banana

1 cup fresh pomegranate arils

1/2 cup frozen blueberries and/or strawberries

1 Tbsp ground flaxseed

1 Tbsp whey or hemp protein

1 Tbsp honey

1 Tbsp flaxseed or hemp oil

10 – 15 ml lemon juice

2 – 3 bags of rooibos tea

1,5 cups boiling water plus 1 cup ice

 

Step-by-step

1. Put the rooibos bags in a teapot or heatproof jug and pour over the water. Steep for 8 to 10 minutes, then remove the bag. Leave to cool.
2. Put the remainder of the ingredients and the tea into a blender and process until smooth. Sweeten (if necessary) to taste with honey and pour into glasses. Serve immediately.

 

3. ROOIBOS, YOUNGBERRY AND BANANA SMOOTHIE

Ingredients for 1 serving

1 ½ bananas

1 – 2 rooibos tea bags

125 ml boiling water

1/3 cup frozen berries (youngberries or raspberries)

¼ cup milk

250 ml plain yoghurt

Chia seeds or sunflower seeds

Goji berries

 

Step-by-step

1. Put the rooibos bags in a teapot or heatproof jug and pour over the water. Steep for 8 to 10 minutes, then remove the bag. Leave to cool.
2. Combine all ingredients into a blender besides the chia seeds and goji berries.
3. Blend until creamy and top with chia seeds and goji berries.
4. Serve immediately.

 

4. GREEN ROOIBOS SMOOTHIE

Ingredients for 1 serving

1 small apple, cored

5 cm piece cucumber

1 stalk celery, including leaves

1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, including stems

1 cup baby greens (your choice of spinach, chard, kale)

1/8 slice of lemon (including rind)

10 ml lemon juice

1 kiwi peeled

1/4 cup raw almonds

1 Tbsp chia or sunflower seeds (optional)

1 cup brewed Green Rooibos tea, chilled

6-8 ice cubes

 

Step-by-step

• Combine all ingredients except ice cubes in a high-powered blender.
• Blend on high until smooth.
• Add ice cubes one at a time until fully crushed and mixed.
• Serve immediately.

 

Handy tip:

• Add an extra peach or lemon flavoured rooibos tea bag

 

5. PEAR AND ROOIBOS VANILLA SMOOTHIE

Ingredients for 1 serving

1 rooibos vanilla flavoured tea bag

80ml (1/3 cup) boiling water

2 pears, cored and diced (no need to peel, unless you want to)

1 – 2 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

4 tablespoons oats

250 ml plain yoghurt

125ml (1/2 cup) rice (or soy / almond / cow) milk, chilled

5 ml lemon juice

 

Step-by-step

1. Place the tea bag into a mug and pour over the boiling water. Add the honey and stir to dissolve.
2. Let the tea bag steep for 1-5 minutes depending on the strength you like.
3. Remove tea bag and refrigerate the tea for a few minutes to cool.
4. Put the pear and oats into a blender and pour over the tea.
5. Pour in the rice milk and blend until smooth.
6. Serve immediately.

 

Handy tip:

• The thinness of the rice milk keeps it light and fruity

6. CHAI ROOIBOS SMOOTHIE

Ingredients for 1 serving

1/4 cup of brewed chai rooibos tea, cooled to room temperature

1/2 medium-ripe banana

1/2 cup full fat coconut milk

1 or 2 tbs of raw honey

1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp of ground ginger

Optional: add a protein powder

Ice – couple of handfuls

 

Step-by-step

1. Add all of the above ingredients and ice to a blender
2. Blend until creamy smooth
3. Garnish with banana slices and a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired

 

Handy tip:

This simple chai tea smoothie is a slightly sweet and definitely spicy treat; and is gluten-free and dairy-free.

7. GRANADILLA, PEACH AND CITRUS ROOIBOS SMOOTHIE

Ingredients for 4 medium servings

500 ml boiling water

2 – 4 rooibos teabags

2 oranges / grapefruit / naartjies peeled

2 peaches, rinsed and cut up

500 ml plain yoghurt

115 g granadilla pulp

10 ml lime or lemon juice

Honey as needed

 

Step-by-step

1. Add boiling water to the teabags and remove them after 7 minutes.  Set aside and let the tea cool down.
2. Puree citrus, peaches, yoghurt, granadilla pulp and tea in a blender until thick and smooth.
3. Add honey and stir.
4. Serve chilled.
5. ROOIBOS NUTTY SMOOTHIE

Ingredients for 1 serving

2 – 3 rooibos tea bags

250 ml boiling water

1 – 2 bananas

250 ml almond milk

1 tablespoon smooth peanut, cashew, or almond butter

1 tbsp vanilla protein powder

1 tsp liquid honey, optional

10 – 15 ml lemon juice

Sprinkle on cinnamon (optional)

Step-by-step

1. Put the rooibos bags in a teapot or heatproof jug and pour over the water. Steep for 8 to 10 minutes, then remove the bag. Leave to cool.
2. Put the tea, bananas, almond milk, peanut/cashew/almond butter and protein powder into a blender and process until smooth. Sweeten to taste with honey and pour into glasses. Serve immediately or transfer to a thermos.

For more information about the health benefits of Rooibos, visit www.sarooibos.co.za