Rooibos is actually an herbal plant. The needle-like leaves and stems are harvested, crushed, fermented and dried. The plant has been used to make tea for hundreds of years. Rooibos became a commercially grown crop in the 1930’s.
When the dried leaves are steeped they result in a rich red-colour tea that has numerous, proven health benefits. The USDA (US Department of Agriculture) has confirmed that red rooibus tea can reduce cancer, heart disease, slows aging as well as possessing other health benefits…I will provide an extensive list of benefits below.
Rooibos tea is just as beneficial for dogs as it is for humans. The tea is naturally caffeine free (caffeine is not good for dogs) and is low in tannin and free of oxalic acid - so unless your dog is suffering from iron deficiency (rooibos may slow down the absorption of iron) it is safe for your dog.
Below we will look at:
- The nutritional value of rooibos tea;
- The Health Benefits;
- How to add rooibos to your dog's daily diet;
- How combining the tea with a little cinnamon can help with your dog's oral care;
- How to use the tea topically to treat skin disorders due to allergies.
Nutritional Value and Health Benefits
Rooibos Tea Is:
- Mineral rich: calcium, copper, fluoride, iron, manganese, magnesium, potassium, sodium, zinc.
- Rich in the anti-inflammatory flavinoid quercetin. Quercetin is a powerful, natural antihistamine!
- An excellent source of vitamin C
- Rich in alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), an important antioxidant compound
- Overall rooibos tea is a rich source of valuable, health supporting antioxidants
- Rooibos tea contains 37 types of antioxidants, and overall offers about 50% more antioxidants than green tea
- Allergy fighting properties - the tea contains anti-allergy properties and can be real aid in treating allergies and related skin problems, asthma, etc.
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-viral
- Anti-anxiety and calming properties - naturally calming and relaxing the tea can help relieve anxiety and relax your dog
- Anti-spasmodic properties - rooibos tea is rich in anti-spasmodic agents it can help ease a sore stomach
- Bone health promoting - as it is rich in bone building minerals calcium, manganese and fluoride
- Cancer fighting, anti-mutagenic
- Circulation enhancing - promotes good blood circulation and works to prevent hemorrhaging
- Skin and fur health supporting - the AHA facilitates the healthy growth and maintenance of skin
- If your dog suffers from aliments of the skin such as itchiness and hot spots due to allergies the tea can really help to alleviate both discomfort and the inflammation of the skin
- Heart health supporting - helps prevent heart disease
- Immune system boosting - the antioxidants also give the immune system a healthy boost
- Anti-aging - the abundant antioxidants slow down the aging process
How To Add Rooibos to Your Dog’s Daily Diet
Your dog can self-select when she wants to have a sip. Leave the tea plain, or add some cinnamon (instructions and benefits noted below) or add fresh squeezed lemon and/or a drop or two of Manuka Honey, or other organic honey.
Daily Dosage Based On Dog’s Weight
- 1-10 lbs - less than 1/4 cup, 1-3 times per day
- 10-20 lbs - 1/4 cup, 1-3 times per day
- 20-50 lbs - 1/4-1/2 cup, 1-3 times per day
- 50-100 lbs - 1/2-1 cup, 1-3 times per day
- Over 100 lbs - up to 1 cup 3 times per day
When you add a little cinnamon to the rooibos tea you increase the health benefit:
Cinnamon has an extensive list of beneficial properties for oral care…it is an:
- Anti-inflammatory;
- Anti-microbial (fights bacteria, fungi, etc.)
- Anti-septic;
- Mild anesthetic;
- Helps dissolve food particles and aids in the digestion of food.
Use Rooibos Tea Topically to Treat Itching, Rashes and Hot Spots due to Allergies
- A soothing rinse
- A foot soak for itchy and or irritated paws
- A simple salve for irritated skin
Soothing Rinse
You'll need:- 2 tea bags of Rooibos Tea (also known as Red Bush Tea)
- Optional ingredient, 1 fresh lemon
Preparation and Use:
- Place the tea bags in hot water and allow to steep for 15 minutes
- Remove the tea bags
- Allow the tea to cool to slightly warm or room temperature as your dog prefers
- Squeeze the lemon, add the lemon juice to the tea
- The tea is now ready to use as a conditioning, soothing rinse or dip.
- You don't need to rinse the tea off of your dog after application.
Foot Soak for Sore, Irritated Paws
- Rooibos Tea - one or more bags of tea depending on the size of the tub
- Optional ingredient, 1 to 2 fresh lemons
- Remove the tea bags and allow the resulting ‘tea’ to cool then add to the water in the soaking tub, or you can use the tea to warm the water in the tub - just always make sure that the resulting liquid for the soak is only warm or room temperature - never hot
- Depending on the size of the tub - take 1 to 2 fresh lemons, squeeze for the juice and then add the juice to the cooled tea
- Now you can soak your dog's or cat's paws
- It is important to note that dunking/placing your dog’s or cat’s paws in the soaking solution is not as effective as soaking the paw for 30 seconds. After the soak just pat your dog’s or cat’s paws dry - do not rub them dry as rubbing can cause irritation
Soothing Salve
You can apply the dry rooibos tea powder to the spots directly using one of these options:- Open the tea bag and remove the tea powder, mix with a little 100% aloe vera juice or gel, apply
- Soak the tea bag in hot water, allow to cool and place the cooled tea bag against the irritated skin
- Soak the tea bag in hot water, allow to cool, open the tea bag and place the damp tea powder directly on the irritated skin
Red Rooibos vs Green Rooibos
Red rooibos and green rooibos come from the same plant. The difference between red rooibos and green rooibos is how the leaves are handled after the leaves are picked.How Green Rooibos Tea Leaves are Made
- After harvesting the green leaves are steamed and dried as quickly as possible.
- Steaming the leaves halts the natural process that would normally occur once leaves are removed from the plant.
How Red Rooibos Tea Leaves are Made
- The green leaves are harvested, shredded and allowed to dry naturally in the sun.
- The leaves naturally turn red as they air dry in the sun as the enzymes naturally present in the leaves react to oxygen in the air.
Which is Better? Red Rooibos or Green Rooibos Tea
Cautions
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Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld
Wow! Thank you for this article. I began to love drinking Roobios tea a few years ago. I never thought of using it with my dog.
ReplyDeleteCould you share any links you have to research (humane or canine)? I would very much like to have those to share on my Dog Leader Mysteries. Keep Your Dog Healthy.
And if we are not already 1st connections, I invite you to add me.
Do you know if rooibos is safe for cats, if not internally at least externally to soothe the skin?
ReplyDeleteThank you for your help.
Rooibos is safe for your cat - in fact my cats sometimes drink it. And yes it is safe to use topically on a cat as well...
Delete1) Natural Remedies for Dogs, Cats with Sore, Irritated Paws
If your dog or cat is suffering from allergies and/or resulting yeast infections of the paw (i.e. candida), or has come into contact with poisonous and/or toxic substances - giving your dog or cat a foot soak is very important to reduce discomfort, help treat the symptoms, remove harmful residue and stop your dog’s or cat’s need to lick and chew his/her paws…
http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2012/04/natural-remedies-for-dogs-cats-with.html
2) DIY Recipes for Safe, Natural, Herbal, Homeopathic Shampoos and Rinses for Dogs
Despite the fact that a manufacturer may label and advertise a shampoo for dogs as safe, all-natural or organic does not mean that the product is actually safe, organic or natural. While a product may contain one or more safe ingredients it may also include multiple toxic/carcinogenic ingredients. Unless you are 100% sure of the quality of the product you are better off making your own dog shampoo - it is simple and easy to make. Here are some recipes…but first please note, as with any shampoo make sure to keep the soap out of your dog’s eyes...
http://ottawavalleydogwhisperer.blogspot.ca/2012/07/diy-recipes-for-safe-natural-herbal.html
This is great super informative and helpful!
ReplyDeleteOn another page for recipe for the soothing rinse with Rooibos tea plus lemon, the instructions read to add tea bags AND lemon juice to hot water and steep for 15 minutes. In the instructions above, you add the juice of a lemon after the tea has cooled. Which is correct? Or does it matter?
ReplyDeleteRuth
Does not matter - however I usually just add it when cooled.
DeleteCan dog drink Green Rooibos Tea(similar to the method by which green tea is produced) and Honeybush Tea(similar to that of rooibos but a little sweeter and has many similarities with rooibos.)?
ReplyDeleteYes Green Rooibos is fine provided you make sure there are no teas mixed into the Green Rooibos that are not decaffeinated.
DeleteHi Karen, are cinnamon and lemon safe for a cat
ReplyDeleteread my article on lemon, and my article on cinnamon
DeleteHi karen,
ReplyDeleteIs rooibus safe for puppies under 6 months?
Yes
DeleteHi Karen, thank-you for reply. Vital Rooibus tea bags in Australia that are certified organic and say oxygen bleached tea bags are they okay? Thank-you Maria
DeleteHi Maria - no oxygen bleached bags - purchase loose leaf rooibos.
DeleteWow this information is really helpful.
ReplyDeleteMy dog has a skin infection around his eye area,and we've had it treated by the vet but it just came back.
Will definitely try the rooibos tea method.☺