Honeybush - Cyclopia intermedia

Common Names: Honeybush, Honey Bush, Heuningbos, Cyclopia intermedia, Cyclopia, Honeybush tea, Honeybush herb, Medowy keř, Medovník (Czech), Medový ker (Slovak), Cyclopia spp.

Latin Name: Cyclopia intermedia

Origin: Africa

Short Introduction

Honeybush is an endemic plant found in a small region of the southwestern or southeastern part of South Africa, closely related to rooibos. The herb gets its name from the distinctive honey-like aroma of its blossoms. The infusion brewed from honeybush is slightly sweeter than rooibos and does not become bitter over time. While many species can be cultivated, attempts at artificial cultivation have so far been unsuccessful, so honeybush must be harvested from the wild. Cyclopia intermedia is harvested in the Kouga mountains, where it naturally grows.

This plant requires a full three years to recover after harvesting. For this reason, about one third of the entire honeybush population is available for harvest, which typically occurs after the flowering period. The collected material—whether whole young plants, stems cut approximately 3 cm above ground, or entire stems—is gradually chopped and crumbled prior to fermentation. The fermentation process varies depending on the producer or processor, often taking place in bags under the sun or in ovens at 90°C and subsequently at 60°C.

Detailed Description

Honeybush is a traditional South African herb known for its gentle support during cold and flu season, and is suitable for children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.

Botanical Information

Honeybush is a small, inconspicuous shrub—about 1 meter tall—and is easy to overlook when not in bloom. The woody, highly branched, and yellowish stems bear tiny, needle-like, green leaves. In spring, honeybush produces pale yellow, intensely aromatic flowers. The brown seeds are enclosed within small pods that turn brown as they mature and gradually dry and open over several weeks to disperse the seeds.

Origin and Distribution

This plant is endemic to specific mountainous areas of South Africa and has not been successfully cultivated on other continents. The global interest in honeybush grew alongside the movement toward alternative wellness practices. Despite one cultivated variety existing outside its native region, the majority of honeybush still comes from wild South African populations.

Usage / Dosage

Honeybush has been used by indigenous tribes for centuries, especially to ease cold and flu symptoms. Like rooibos, honeybush gained recognition in the West through the research of Swedish botanist Carl Thunberg, who documented both plants in the early 1770s during his travels in South Africa, although first records date back to 1705. Honeybush quickly became popular among Western settlers and began featuring in their tea gatherings, rather than serving solely as a traditional household remedy.

This herbal infusion boasts a pronounced honey and floral aroma with a delicate taste. Honeybush is rich in minerals and antioxidants, making it an excellent choice for replenishing minerals, especially during viral infections or colds. Healers have traditionally prepared honeybush to aid cold, flu, and digestion after meals. Though its high fluoride and calcium content is notable, it is especially valued for its soothing effects and aromatic profile.

Concentrated active compounds in honeybush are believed to exert antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial effects. Even today, honeybush is commonly recommended in folk medicine as a gentle remedy for upper respiratory inflammation and various viral infections, thanks to its lack of burdensome chemical constituents. Its leaves contain a wealth of antioxidants—substances shown to reduce inflammation, swelling, and associated pain, as well as support immunity. Polyphenols in honeybush provide mild antiseptic and antibacterial properties and help support white blood cell function.

The needle-like leaves contain a significant substance called pinitol, along with pinene, both commonly used in natural cough syrups. In appropriate doses and forms, pinitol helps ease expectoration, break down mucus, and is generally well-tolerated.

Unlike traditional black or green teas from Camellia sinensis, honeybush and rooibos lack tannins and caffeine, making honeybush an ideal choice for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, and those with cardiovascular or kidney concerns. This explains the herb's popularity in Japan, especially among schoolchildren, who enjoy it without restriction. The fluoride and calcium content makes it a smart choice for supporting healthy bone and dental growth in children. Honeybush also contains iron, which may be used to supplement these stores during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Honeybush is recommended for loss of appetite and can be consumed long-term for digestive troubles, especially for those with ulcers or stomach pains. Its compounds have mild anti-inflammatory action, making honeybush suitable for inflammatory conditions of the digestive tract, and it has been valued for relieving abdominal discomfort, chronic stomach pain, cramps, and indigestion while minimizing unwanted side effects.

Home remedies also describe the use of chilled honeybush with milk to relieve digestive discomfort in children and infant colic. In South Africa, a mildly simmered honeybush and milk blend helps soothe upset stomachs. The leaves are also used in folk medicine for bloating, constipation in the elderly, menstrual pains, and as a gentle, non-pharmaceutical alternative.

Honeybush compounds are thought to help mildly lower high blood pressure and slightly reduce blood sugar levels. Because it is naturally sweet, no additional sweeteners are needed, which helps lower sugar intake while enjoying a sweet beverage. There is also evidence to suggest that pinitol may improve insulin efficiency, making honeybush potentially beneficial for elevated blood sugar or diabetes—though further research is needed.

Honeybush is further recommended for a positive effect on the central nervous system; it is helpful during menstrual and premenstrual syndromes (including cramps), as well as menopause or for cycle regulation. Healers recommend honeybush for those with high blood pressure, skin issues, and eczema. Recent reports have explored its role in skin protection from excessive sun exposure, inflammation, or aging. Beneficial effects have been described for those with acne, eczema, and other inflammatory skin disorders. Acute relief is noted, and with chronic use, it may strengthen the skin’s resilience to UV radiation and wrinkle formation.

Returning to its effect on blood pressure: the isoflavones, flavones, and flavonoids in honeybush act as powerful antioxidants that help neutralize the effects of harmful free radicals. This has led to research into its potential in cancer prevention, and its proven benefit in preventing arterial hardening. Free radicals adhere to blood vessel linings, attracting cholesterol and minerals, which increases the risk of arteriosclerosis. The xanthines present in optimal doses lower blood lipids, mildly reduce blood clotting, and, combined with a healthy lifestyle, can reduce the risk of high blood pressure.

Active Compounds

Honeybush contains no polyphenols (tannins) or caffeine. Its other constituents are similar to those found in tea and include flavonoids, flavones, and isoflavones. Notable compounds are aromatic cinnamic acid, alpha-terpineol, phenylethyl alcohol, coumestan, xanthonoids, mangiferin, isomangiferin, luteolin 7-rutinoside, luteolin, eriotricin, scolymoside, iriflophenon-3-C-beta-glucoside, hesperidin, diosmin, and their derivatives. Vitamin C also provides antioxidant support. Essential minerals include calcium, fluoride, and iron. Honeybush contains a wide range of polysaccharides.

Traditional Dosage

For optimal freshness and aroma, proper storage is crucial—select containers that exclude oxygen, moisture, and sunlight. This attention to storage will preserve the tea’s fine taste and aroma for long periods.

Brew 1 teaspoon of dried honeybush with about 200 ml boiling water and steep for 5 minutes. Strain before serving, taste, and, if desired, sweeten with honey, milk, juice, lemon, or sugar. Some sources recommend infusing 1 heaping tablespoon of honeybush in 1 liter of boiling water for at least 15 minutes; if using ceramic, steeping 10–15 minutes suffices. For greater flavor and intensity, the mixture can be gently simmered before straining, according to preference.