Kombucha: the benefits and harms, contraindications and application features

Probably all seen amazing creatures, floating in three-liter jar in the kitchen for many people. However, what it is – fungal formation or a living being — is unlikely to be able to answer. Actually, this is a tea jellyfish, also known as tea mushroom, Japanese mushroom, Japanese uterus, Manchurian mushroom, fango, Kombucha Kombucha, kvass or sea, formed by the connection of yeast and acetic bacteria. This product is humanity a very long time: the first mention of it was found in Chinese Chronicles dated to 250 BC. However, about the benefits and dangers of Kombucha is still being hotly debated.

Tea jellyfish: the symbiosis of fungi and bacteria

A substance formed by different strains of microorganisms, displays the result of the interaction of yeasts and bacteria. This layered body floating on the surface of the nutrient medium sweet, refines it. In the process of life Kombucha spaevaet sugar, resulting in ethanol and carbon dioxide. So the drink has a mild sparkling taste.

Fango: history and modernity

For centuries people knew about the benefits of Kombucha (the damage at that time were not detected) and centuries used its positive properties for medicinal purposes. The earliest mention of this amazing product has been identified in ancient treatises the year 250 BC. Although many scholars argue that in China it came much earlier from Tibet.

In our country, the mushroom fango appeared only about 200 years ago. Originally the inhabitants of Transbaikalia was used as a means of healing, but soon this product gained fame as a delicious beverage and gradually spread throughout the country. People quickly appreciated the unusual taste and benefits of Kombucha for our body, damage not noticed by anybody.

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Kombucha is still living in the kitchens of many people and has been used successfully as a variety of homemade lemonade. However, not everyone can easily accept healing infusion: quite unpresentable appearance causes fear and even disgust in some people.

Panacea or placebo

Identifying the benefits and harms of Kombucha, the scientists found that the drinks made on its basis, have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. In some cases, these products help normalize intestinal function and relieve symptoms of hypertension. Many claim the sedative properties of such infusions: regular consumption of the liquid soothes, normalizes sleep and even relieves headaches. However, despite all the opinions of doctors about the benefits and dangers of Kombucha, it cannot be considered a panacea for all ills.

Current research

About the possible dangers and benefits of homemade Kombucha people began to think recently, since the true nature of this education began to carefully studied only in recent years.

It turned Out that the drink made on the basis of the ability to tea jellyfish, actually has healing properties. It has a beneficial effect on the body and cleanses it from the appearance of pathogenic microflora. Useful in many diseases because it contains a vitamin complex, essential acids and enzymes.

However, to use it is not for all people. It is contraindicated to patients suffering from certain diseases of the endocrine system, a number of pathologies of the liver gallbladder and kidney stones. You can not use this product persons with individual intolerance to the components of the drink.

Healing properties

Tonic properties of this drink is undeniable. Strong and beneficial effect on the digestive tract. The microorganisms causes the fermentation process in the tea brew, getting in the gastrointestinal tract, has a beneficial effect on the microflora of the body. They have antiseptic and antibacterial properties.

The Other healing component of the drink is gluconic acid. This element improves the efficiency of muscle tissue and normalize metabolism.

Folk medicine

Despite the potential harm Kombucha, the use of which has been known for millennia, widely used in folk medicine. It is used in the treatment of hypertension and atherosclerosis, angina and tonsillitis, for the relief of headaches, hypertension and idiopathic paroxysmal tachycardia. With his help get rid of colitis, diarrhea and constipation. Kombucha recommended for physical and emotional fatigue.

Today you can hear a lot of talk and opinions about the benefits and dangers of Kombucha, the effect of which sometimes raises doubts among the supporters of traditional medicine. For example, that infusion heals festering and rotting wounds or that small layers of fango is applied to burns and abrasions.

It is believed thatdrink Kombucha it is best absorbed when consumed in the morning (on an empty stomach) and evening (just before bedtime).

Drink with pleasure

Many people use a drink of Kombucha, not because he's useful, but because it's delicious. Indeed, there is nothing nicer than to drink a glass of kvass cool sea in the hot weather. This toning liquid excellent thirst quencher.

Prepared drink is not heated in a warm room and may be stored for a long time in the fridge. It should be noted that even during long-term storage it does not lose flavor. Goes well with honey and lemon, so you can always prepare the tea brew to your own taste.

The opinions of the doctors

However sometimes these ingredients can harm health. According to the doctors, the harm from drinking Kombucha in some cases, it may be caused by the presence of a large number of acids. Gastritis with low ph level of these substances have a healing effect and required by the body. At the same time for gastritis with increased ph the presence of acids can cause an exacerbation of the disease.

Experts do not recommend to use these funds in large amounts, as the impact of the so-called Maritime brew is not fully understood. In addition we must not forget that this tool has only a supporting effect and is unlikely to replace medication in the treatment of serious diseases. So it, like any other methodology of folk medicine, use wisely.

Use in cosmetics

Kombucha is popular in home cosmetology. It infusion helps in combating various skin defects, in the presence of inflammatory processes, dry skin. It is believed that regular use of this product makes the skin smooth and elastic.

Compresses are made on the basis of the drink, allow you to narrow the wide pores of the face. Wraps cellulite – another benefit of a Japanese tea fungus. Harm unwanted flaking or rashes can be caused only by the individual intolerance of the product. However, such manifestations are extremely rare. Many women say that the effect of using this infusion as a base for homemade masks. The beneficial properties of Kombucha have even used in the treatment of psoriasis.

Contraindications and precautions

Despite the huge list of healing properties, has a Kombucha and contraindications. The benefits and harms of this product often cause disputes between patient and physician. Shown that the use of fango is completely contraindicated in case of:

• The diseases associated with increased production of gastric juice is gastritis with hyperacidity and duodenal ulcer;
• Acute diseases of the gall bladder, and after removing it;
• Diabetes mellitus of the first type;
• Diseases caused by fungal infections;
• Kidney stones.

Not fully understood the benefits and harms of Kombucha during pregnancy, therefore this period to use infusions Kombucha with caution. Do not give this drink to children under 5 years of age. The presence of alcohol in this product may adversely affect the condition of the baby. Adolescents it can be used only in the absence of allergic manifestations.

It is Not necessary to abuse this drink for people suffering from symptoms of tachycardia and manifestations of hypotension. Before you get behind the wheel, from the use of fango is also better to refuse.

Kombucha diet

In earlier times, Japanese geisha have used Kombucha to preserve its slimness and youthfulness. Such use of Kombucha Kombucha (about harm and other undesirable effects in either the source was not mentioned) was used in Ancient Japan many centuries ago.

But how Kombucha can help with this? It turns out that thanks to its unique composition in combination with a properly balanced diet of marine kvass promotes weight loss. The enzymes in Kombucha, contribute to the breakdown of protein and fat.

The presence in the beverage gluconic acid improves the metabolic processes in the body, which speeds up the process of weight loss. Kombucha allows the muscles and tissues stay elastic. Regular consumption of the tea brew maintains the harmony of body and youthful skin.

Enhance the effect of a special herbal, added to the drink. To do this, take 1 tablespoon of peppermint, dandelion root, fennel and parsley seeds, brewed with boiling water and infused for 30-40 minutes. The broth is filtered and diluted with a tea brew in equal proportions. If you eat this mixture every morning and evening, it soon becomes obvious positive result. The beneficial effect will affect not only the slimness of the body, but the condition of the skin.

How to make a drink

To prepare really delicious, healthy and healing beverage, it is necessary to create optimal conditions forthe cultivation of mushroom. This requires a large glass jar, for example, a three-liter, clean boiled water at room temperature, sugar (100 grams per liter of water) and tea (3 tablespoons). Tea can be absolutely anything – black, white, red or green.

In the cooking process we must not forget that in the glass container is a living organism that demands careful treatment. Any mechanical stress, high temperatures, direct sunlight or lack of oxygen is detrimental to tea jellyfish. Draining infusion, we must not forget that the fungus needs fresh nutrient medium, otherwise it will wither.

Care Kombucha

The Fungus is unpretentious and does not require any special care. It is important to note that it will not develop in an opaque pot, because needs sunlight, but at the same time do not tolerate direct sunlight. The Bank can not close the lid, enough to cover the neck of the gauze, folded in several layers. No air fungus simply choke and die.

In the warm season infusion is drained every three to four days and placed in the refrigerator. In winter the activity of the fungus slows down a bit, so in the cold season drink is ready only for 5-6 days.

Once a month the fungus must be removed from the jar and rinse under warm running water. If the top layer became dark or brown, then care was wrong. The color change may also occur due to the over-ripeness of infusion. In this case, the fluid completely replaced.

To the fungus grew well and fully developed, you will need to add the desired amount of cold sweet tea. You can not put sugar directly into the jar with Kombucha – such mechanical effects lead to burns of the mucous jellyfish and its eventual demise.

The Optimal ambient temperature for the normal existence of the tea jellyfish – 17 to 25C. If you put the fango in cooler conditions, then in his body starts algae, making the infusion becomes toxic and eat this mushroom and drink tea (benefits and harm of which lose value) is dangerous to health. What is surprising is that Kombucha can live and grow over the years, occupying more and more space in the tank, but it never infest parasites.