南非红茶为豆科植物南非红茶Aspalathus linearis (Barm.f.) R. Dahlgren的叶与小枝，其发现和应用已有悠久的历史。南非红茶富含多酚类物质，现代药理研究表明该茶对抗氧化、心血管疾患，肿瘤防治，免疫调节、控制糖尿病及其并发症，延缓衰老和治疗肠胃道系统疾患方面均有作用。对南非红茶的现代研究进行归纳和整理，为进一步研究开发预防慢性代谢性疾病的产品提供借鉴。

Aspalathus linearis (rooibos tea) is originated from the leaves and branchlets of Aspalathus linearis, and it has been discovered and used for a long history. Rooibos tea is rich in polyphenols, and modern pharmacological researches suggest that it is widely used in anti-oxidation, cardiovascular disease, tumor prevention, immunomodulation, diabetes and its complications controlling, anti-aging, and gastrointestinal disorders, and so on. In the present review, we summarize the recent research progress in rooibos tea so as to provide a clue for the research and development of the chronic metabolic disease.

国家自然科学基金面上资助项目（81274188）