H E A LT H
rooibos
HOMEGROWN TEA MAY BE ABLE TO ALLEVIATE BOTHERSOME NASAL ALLERGIES
F
or many South Africans that suffer from allergies, Rooibos (Aspalathus
linearis) has been a welcome remedy, but up until now, evidence has been scant to support this notion. Given the high cost of allergy and asthma medication, local researchers from the University of Cape Town are now examining the extent to which Rooibos tea can provide relief for those plagued by runny, stuffy noses and itchy eyes. Prof Jonny Peter, head of allergology and immunology at the UCT Lung Institute, says allergies are becoming increasingly common worldwide and the prevalence is increasing in low
financial burden on many patients,
conducted their own cell studies
and middle-income countries too
which is why there is a renewed
and found Rooibos to suppress
– affecting an estimated 30% of
interest in herbal and alternative
basophil activation.
South African adults.
remedies, such as Rooibos, that
“Different types of allergies include life-threatening anaphylaxis, hay fever (allergic
“Basophils are white blood
might be more affordable and
cells involved in many kinds
accessible,” he remarks.
of inflammatory reactions,
Previous allergy studies have
particularly those that cause allergic
rhinitis), asthma, food allergy,
investigated the effects of Rooibos in
symptoms. This means that Rooibos
conjunctivitis and skin allergies,
a laboratory on different cell types
could, to a certain degree, control or
such as angioedema, urticaria
(in vitro – outside a living organism),
inhibit the allergic response, but for
(hives) and eczema. However,
and these have shown some promise.
many herbal remedies promising
the most predominant is allergic
Bioflavonoids, such as rutin and
lab data has not translated to a
rhinitis, which is typically triggered
quercetin, that are found in Rooibos,
meaningful clinical effect. The clinical
by house dust mite and fine
could relieve itchy eyes and a runny
trials we are about to embark on
powdery pollen from trees, weeds
nose. Quercetin can block the
should address this gap and give us
and grasses that can flower for up
release of histamine from mast cells,
a clearer indication of its clinical
to nine months of the year.
and this may be why it could reduce
effectiveness,” says Prof Peter.
“The cost for treating allergic rhinitis has increased substantially in recent years and places a huge 20
SILVER DIGEST // SPRING 2021
symptoms. Prof Peter and senior researcher Dr Sarah Pedretti have also
The two trials are set to start in the next few months and will build on the preliminary findings. Prof
