American media and entertainment giant, Marvel Comics, isn’t an easy medium to break into, however our local celebri-tea, Rooibos, received a mention in the most recent edition of She-Hulk when psychiatrist, Flo Mayer, offered Jennifer Walters (also known as She-Hulk) a cup of… wait for it… ‘Rooibos tea’ to calm her down.

Adele du Toit, spokesperson of the SA Rooibos Council (SARC) says it’s a testament to how increasingly popular Rooibos has become worldwide. “Global consumption of Rooibos is at around 15 000 tons per annum and the demand for the product continues to grow. It’s fast becoming a popular choice among a variety of herbal teas around the world. The fact that the author has Mayer offering Walters a cup of Rooibos to calm her nerves, after the confrontation with a villain, called The Leader and his pawn, Professor Robyn Meiser Malt, is right on the money. Research done by several academic institutions, including Stellenbosch University, proved Rooibos tea’s ability to alleviate stress and anxiety levels. Who knows what the future holds for Rooibos. Soon it might even be featured in a scene of one of the upcoming action-packed Marvel movies. Perhaps it’s just the antidote that Bruce Banner needs to tame the raging Hulk inside.”

In case you did not know, She-Hulk (Jennifer Walters) is a fictional character that appears in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Buscema, she first appeared in the Savage She-Hulk #1 (cover dated February 1980). A cousin to Bruce Banner, Walters once received an emergency blood transfusion from him when she was wounded, which led to her acquiring a milder version of his Hulk condition. As such, Walters becomes a large powerful green-hued version of herself while still largely retaining her personality. In particular, she retains her intelligence and emotional control, but like Hulk, she still becomes stronger if enraged.

If you’re curious, check out a copy of She-Hulk #162: Jen Walters Must Die, Part 4, Marvel Legacy to see our home-grown star in the making.

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