Kinkeliba Tea (Kenkeliba): Benefits, How to Brew & Why West Africa Drinks It
Tea guide · Yado Market Blog
Kinkeliba tea, also spelled kenkeliba, is the everyday "bush tea" of West Africa, brewed from the leaves of Combretum micranthum. From Dakar breakfasts to Ramadan evenings, it is a taste of home for millions. Here is what kinkeliba is, what research says about its benefits, and how to brew it the traditional way.
Quick answer: what is kinkeliba?
- A West African leaf tea from Combretum micranthum.
- Earthy, woody, naturally caffeine free.
- Traditionally drunk for digestion and general wellness.
- Rich in antioxidants, studied for blood sugar and blood pressure.
C. micranthum
Scientific name
0 mg
Caffeine
5–10 min
Simmer time
3x
Re-boil the leaves
Know your tea
What Is Kinkeliba?
Kinkeliba (Combretum micranthum) is a shrub that grows wild across the savanna zone of West Africa.1 Its dried leaves make one of the region's most loved drinks. The name is believed to come from the Fulani language,2 and you will also see it spelled kenkeliba or kinkéliba. In English it is often simply called "bush tea."
In Senegal, kinkeliba is one of the most popular traditional bush teas, enjoyed at breakfast and through the day.3 In The Gambia and Guinea it is commonly drunk plain or with sugar, and even more during Ramadan.4
Senegal
Kinkéliba, a breakfast favorite.
Gambia & Guinea
Called bush tea.
Mali & Burkina Faso
Brewed for coughs and colds.
Côte d'Ivoire
Kenkeliba, sold dried in markets.
Tradition
Why Kinkeliba Is a Ramadan Tradition
Among West African Muslims, especially the Wolof, Fula and Mandinka, kinkeliba leaves, bark and twigs are harvested and sold in bundles during the dry season leading up to and during Ramadan.2 A warm cup at suhoor or iftar is believed to cleanse and strengthen the body during the fast.4 For many families in the diaspora, the smell of kinkeliba brewing is the smell of Ramadan at home.
What scientists found
Kinkeliba Tea Benefits: What Research Says
Kinkeliba is traditionally drunk for digestion, weight management, as a mild diuretic and for general wellbeing.3 Science is catching up with tradition:
Rich in antioxidants
Leaf and bark extracts showed strong antioxidant activity in lab tests.1 A 2019 study from the University of Lomé, Togo, also found nephroprotective (kidney-protecting) activity in the lab.5
Healthy blood sugar support
Rutgers University researchers identified catechins in the leaves, including epicatechin, which showed glucose-lowering activity in cell studies.3
Blood pressure
A 2025 review reports a clinical study in which kinkeliba decoctions or tablets lowered systolic blood pressure by a similar amount to the drug captopril.6
Digestion and comfort
The leaves are rich in polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins linked to anti-inflammatory and soothing effects.6
Because kinkeliba may lower blood pressure and blood sugar, talk to your doctor first if you take medicine for either.
Step by step
How to Brew Kinkeliba Tea
The traditional way, the way it is made in West African homes:
1. Boil
Bring about 1 liter of water to a boil.
2. Add leaves
Add a small handful of dried kinkeliba leaves and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Serve
Strain and drink plain, with sugar or honey, or with a slice of lemon or lime and a few mint leaves.
4. Re-boil
Keep the leaves: they can be re-boiled up to 3 times.
Serving ideas and re-boiling tip from The Gambia.4
Good to know
What Does Kinkeliba Taste Like?
Kinkeliba brews into a reddish-brown tea with an earthy, slightly bitter and woody taste, a bit like a stronger green tea without the grassiness. It is naturally caffeine free. Most people sweeten it lightly at first, then grow to love it plain.
Shop kinkeliba
Buy Kinkeliba Leaves
Our kenkeliba comes from Côte d'Ivoire, dried and packed to keep its aroma.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is kinkeliba?
Kinkeliba is a West African shrub, Combretum micranthum, whose dried leaves are brewed into a popular herbal tea, often called bush tea.
What are the benefits of kinkeliba tea?
It is traditionally used for digestion, weight management and wellness. Research shows it is rich in antioxidants and it has been studied for blood sugar and blood pressure support.
Is kinkeliba the same as kenkeliba?
Yes. Kinkeliba, kenkeliba and kinkéliba are different spellings of the same plant.
Does kinkeliba have caffeine?
No. Kinkeliba is naturally caffeine free.
How many times can you boil kinkeliba leaves?
Traditionally the same leaves are re-boiled up to 3 times.
Where can I buy kinkeliba in the USA?
At Yado Market: pick up at 1651 E 87th St in Chicago, local delivery, or shipping anywhere in the U.S.
Keep reading
Related Guides
Brew a Cup of West African Tradition
Our kenkeliba comes from Côte d'Ivoire and ships anywhere in the U.S.
This guide shares traditional uses and published research for general information. It is not medical advice, and these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. If you are pregnant, nursing, take prescription medicine or have a health condition, check with your doctor before using herbal products.
Research & references
Sources
- Combretum micranthum, PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa)
- Combretum micranthum, Wikipedia
- Welch, Chemistry and Pharmacology of Kinkéliba (Combretum micranthum), a West African Medicinal Plant, Rutgers University (2010)
- Herb of the Month: Kinkeliba, My Gambia magazine
- Kpemissi et al., Antioxidant and nephroprotection activities of Combretum micranthum, Heliyon (2019)
- Enoghase et al., Combretum micranthum (Kinkéliba): A Contemporary Review of Its Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Clinical Potential (2018–2025)