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For people who already have kidney stones or kidney stones run in their family and they want to avoid ever getting them, here is some food for thought. The most common types of kidney stones are calcium and oxalate.   Some tea is considered to be an "oxalate-containing" beverage.  However, not all teas contain the same amount of oxalate levels, and some tisane teas may even help combat the formation of kidney stones if drank regularly.

Studies published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition tested an assortment of teas for oxalate content. They found that soluble oxalate contents of black tea in tea bags and loose leaf teas were 4.68 and 5.11 milligrams per gram of tea. Green and oolong teas had lower oxalate amounts, ranging from .23 to 1.15 milligrams per gram of tea. The oxalate content of the tisane, herbal teas, such as Rooibos and Honeybush, ranged from "not detected" to 3 milligrams per gram of tea.

Rooibos 'tea' is an all natural, caffeine-free herbal tisane from a native South African red bush.  Among its lengthy list of health benefits, Rooibos soothes the stomach lining, aids in digestion, hydrates the body helping with detoxification and on top of that, contains no oxalic acid.  Thus, Rooibos is an excellent daily beverage for someone who has a history of oxalate kidney stones.  If you are new to the Rooibos world, make sure and try our Lemon Meringue Pie Rooibos.  You will soon be addicted to a one of the naturally healthiest drinks in the world!

Reference: Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2002; 11(4): 298-301, "Charrier MJ et al. "Oxalate content and calcium binding capacity of tea and herbal teas"

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