ROOIBOS, PRONOUNCED "royboss", makes a deep red brew with a flavour that is deliciously unique, assert drinkers of this herbal tea. The potential benefits of this mountain bush, endemic to South Africa, are equally unique. Studies show that rooibos, devoid of caffeine and low in tannins, is a healthy alternative to coffee or tea. It also comes loaded with anti-oxidants that can boost immunity, reduce risks of heart diseases, protect from viral infection and has anti-ageing properties. Little wonder, then, that multinational corporations have come up with ways to profit from the tea as well as products made using chemical derivatives of the shrub, called Aspalathus linearis in scientific lexicon. One such attempt was by Swiss company Nestlé that in 2010 claimed five patents on products prepared from rooibos such as medicines to treat inflammatory diseases and probiotic foods. But this time, the San and Khoi indigenous communities of South Africa opposed the move and Nestlé's patent applications were rejected. The South African government asked the company to share benefits arising from the use of this resource with the communities.
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Denne historien er fra December 01, 2022-utgaven av Down To Earth.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Trade On Emissions
EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, a tariff on imports, is designed to protect European industries in the guise of climate action.
'The project will facilitate physical and cultural decimation of indigenous people'
The Great Nicobar Project has all the hallmarks of a disaster-seismic, ecological, human. Why did it get the go-ahead?
TASTE IT RED
Popularity of Karnataka's red jackfruit shows how biodiversity can be conserved by ensuring that communities benefit from it
MANY MYTHS OF CHIPKO
Misconceptions about the Chipko movement have overshadowed its true objectives.
The politics and economics of mpox
Africa's mpox epidemic stems from delayed responses, neglect of its health risks and the stark vaccine apartheid
Emerging risks
Even as the world gets set to eliminate substances threatening the ozone layer, climate change and space advancement pose new challenges.
JOINING THE CARBON CLUB
India's carbon market will soon be a reality, but will it fulfil its aim of reducing emissions? A report by PARTH KUMAR and MANAS AGRAWAL
Turn a new leaf
Scientists join hands to predict climate future of India's tropical forests
Festering troubles
The Democratic Republic of Congo struggles to contain mpox amid vaccine delays, conflict and fragile healthcare.
India sees unusual monsoon patterns
THE 2024 southwest monsoon has, between June 1 and September 1, led to excess rainfall in western and southern states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, while others like Nagaland, Manipur and Punjab recorded a deficit.