Health Benefits of Rooibos Tea

[Janco]

I drink rooibos tea nearly every day. My grandmother believes in it like the bible.

My wife and I have also used it when my children (still babies) had colic (stomach cramps), and it worked wonders.

It is totally CAFFEINE FREE, no it is not some sort of decaffeinated version of rooibos, the real rooibos is NATURALLY CAFFEINE FREE! This may be one of the most important health benefits of rooibos tea.

For my afib heart, and a bit of anxiety that is very good news. I know that the jury is still out, about if too much coffee can trigger an afib attack, maybe or maybe not. With Rooibos you are certain – there’s no caffeine. I drink coffee daily, but also enjoy the benefits of rooibos tea a few times a day -STRESS AND CAFFEINE FREE.

Rooibos is not this super thing that will cure everything in a minute, but I make it part of my life, espesially when I feel that I must relax a bit and do not want the caffeine in coffee to lift my heart rate, or dehydrate me.

I wrote a small blog and infographic about it : myafibheart.com/home/health...

[Healthtime]

Appreciate any insight into living better.  Since I've been taking Sotolol, I've felt de-energized.  I've found drinking LOTS of water helps -- and aerobic exercise.  But, sometimes its hard to get up enough energy to do either.

What helps other people combat the effects of the beta blocker perscribed to help us stay in  rhythm?  Appreciate any and all answers. Thanks, Maureen

[deelan in reply to Healthtime]

I am also on Sotalol and yes Beta Blockers can make you feel fatigued but its better than being in AF. I only drink decaf coffee and only 1 or 2 a week; I don't drink alcohol or smoke. I also have Conn's Syndrome so its hard to know what causes the fatigue more ... the Conn's or Sotalol  

[Wightbaby]

Would this affect INR levels though?? Any info on that?

[Janco in reply to Wightbaby]

I do not know, maybe someone on the forum will know.

Very good question. I have been off anticoagulants for a while now after my ablation.

[Craggy]

I also drink rooibos tea, sometimes with milk but often black (or is it red?). I also have one cup of coffee with breakfast. 

I don't know how much my PAF was affected by caffine and I suspect it was not very much but often positive results come from the sum of many small things.

I have now gone more than twelve months without an AF episode so something is working, just not sure exactly what!

[Janco in reply to Craggy]

Graggy

I agree, positive results come from the sum of many things.

I read on a Dr's blog about afib, that AFIB is not only a heart thing, but more a whole body thing.

Its about what you eat, drink, think, play, do, not do, smoke, sleep - and more.

So if Rooibos can play a small part in the whole sceme of things I'm happy.

[MarkS]

I drank Rooibos tea for a bit when I tried going caffeine free. But it didn't make a difference to me and I really didn't like the taste much. So it was back to ordinary tea with much relief.

Research has since shown that people who drink 3 cups or more of regular coffee a day live longer than those who don't. So there can be health benefits in it, though I appreciate that it can exacerbate AF.

Incidentally I found sotalol awful though I didn't realise how bad until I came off it and I was leaping around like a Duracell bunny! If it stops AF then fine, otherwise I would question its use.

[Marti99]

I have always been wary of too much caffeine, mostly due to insomnia so limit it to one or 2 shots per day and always before 3pm; and have used caffeine free tea and coffee for years.

I switched to Rooibos about 3 years ago (and now prefer the taste to ordinary tea) but can honestly say it has not made any difference to my PAF - alcohol is my trigger.

However, what I HAVE noticed is that since taking Magnesium supplements I have not had ANY sustained attacks of PAF that have necessitated taking Flecainide as a PIP rescue (gone from 1-2 a month to none in the last 4 weeks). I've had the odd 'flutter', but nothing more and I have NOT stopped having the odd glass (or 3 ) of wine! I know it's early days, but Magnesium seems to have a protective effect for me and has no side effects.

BTW I have had a RNY Bypass, so reduced stomach area to absorb minerals and vitamins, I take Forceval which is a vitamin and mineral supplement recommended for post bariatric surgery, but much less Magnesium in this than recommended by the York Cardiologist (whose name I have forgotten!), so decided I'd give the Magnesium a try and so far (touch wood) it seems to be working.

[pixlmix]

Your comment seems very sensible. I stay away from excessive caffeine. Fortunately, I don't like the taste of coffee. I do drink a small amount of regular tea in the morning.  Seems like all is OK with your regimen...but don't EVER forget your cardiologist's name, and always run all the non-precription stuff past him. Prescription drugs often interact with OTCs and medications.

Joann

[franksavage]

I am going to read ALL this blog later Janco, i can relate to ALL of the info on here and without the people on this site i would be completely lost

thanks everyone again..

Frank

[Janco]

Big pleasure!