Rooibos is not tea. It is in the legume family. It is also only grown in S. Africa. It is not expensive at all. $15 or less for a pound delivered. In the supermarket in teabags its pricey. Ask Wb where she got her's.
Indeed. I'd not be happy at all to trust that the stuff in the bags is entirely just what it's supposed to be. Plus it tends to be far finer ground, to make a quick cuppa, and you don't really want that. I've never used roobios as I have more tannins from the wood I've gathered than I really need or want, but I'd bulk buy online if I was going to use it.