SCIENTIFIC research into the health benefits of Rooibos have been boosted with a R4.8-million investment from the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI). The investment is aimed at unlocking the potential socio-economic value of SA’s favourite tisane.
Aligned to its core mandate of supporting research on Rooibos, the SA Rooibos Council (SARC) will match the Department’s investment, taking the combined funding to almost R10-million.
The Department’s, Sunita Kalan, Director of Sector and Local Innovation, explains that the funding has been made available through the Sector Innovation Fund (SIF) – a programme launched by the DSI in 2013 to increase the competitiveness of various sectors in the economy by way of incentivising increased investment into research, development and innovation (RDI).
In addition to the funding provided to the SARC through SIF, the DSI has also strengthened the Rooibos and Honeybush sectors through support provided to community growers in the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape.
The SARC responded to the call with a proposal seeking to establish a scientific evidence base for the health benefits of Rooibos and was one of six proposals that were approved for funding in this phase of the SIF programme.
Joe Swart, Research Director for the SA Rooibos Council says the industry welcomes the partnership with the DSI.
“The demand for natural medicinal products in modern medicine as complementary or alternative therapies is on the increase, however, the potential medicinal values of these plants, including Rooibos, are not always properly researched and documented, and the industry and wider sector can benefit from an increased focus on R&D in this area.
“While Rooibos has been studied for well over 20 years and researchers have confirmed its beneficial properties, lack of funding has stymied progress. The additional investment will help the industry to move forward with studies that include human trials – an important next step in the development of therapies containing Rooibos as an active ingredient” he says.
Rooibos has already been hailed for its chemoprotective properties (reducing the incidence of inflammation, which is a leading cause of cancer), is good for the heart, helps to control blood glucose, fights inflammation and reduces stress and anxiety. Scientists consider it a rich source of polyphenols, that are packed with antioxidants and potential health benefits, which can be used in the development of phytomedicines, nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals.
Swart says human trials involving Rooibos could uncover alternative ways to help manage many modern-day diseases, including cancer, heart disease and other metabolic diseases like diabetes and Alzheimer’s.
The multi-million-rand funding will allow researchers to delve deeper into Rooibos’ ability to:
Swart says there is a growing trend at local and international research institutions to prioritise Rooibos as part of their novel food or functional food research, as well as for studies focusing on metabolic and lifestyle diseases.
Once a deeper assessment of Rooibos’ pharmacological qualities has been concluded, it will give an indication of how Rooibos can be used in the future.
To date, the SARC has contributed more than R21-m towards Rooibos-related research.
For more info on Rooibos, visit https://sarooibos.co.za/
