Rules for the use of kombucha
Kombucha is a popular remedy for the treatment and prevention of various diseases, it helps to strengthen the immune system. In order for the use of kombucha to be beneficial, and not to become the cause of additional suffering, you need to adhere to certain conditions and do not forget about contraindications.
Rules for the use of Kombucha
general characteristics
Kombucha, or Japanese or Manchurian mushroom, is a substance composed of yeast and acetic acid bacteria. For its external resemblance to jellyfish, it is called jellyfish. The sugar it is fed with decomposes to form carbon dioxide and alcohol. As a result of the reactions, a carbonated sweet and sour drink is obtained, similar to kvass.
It was first discovered in China and, according to legends, possessed almost magical properties, including the ability to grant people immortality. They began to prepare such tea in our area since the twentieth century and called it "kombucha", based on the Japanese word "kombucha".
Kombucha composition:
- vitamins D, C and group B;
- tannins;
- lactic, acetic, gluconic, oxalic, citric acids;
- polysaccharides and monosaccharides;
- alcohol;
- aldehydes;
- caffeine.
During fermentation, the composition of the drink changes as a percentage, and already on the 10th day, B vitamins and proteolites appear in it, which are responsible for the growth and strengthening of muscles. After 15 days, the amount of vitamin C increases. The mushroom consists of an upper and a lower part. The upper part has a convex and smooth mucous surface. The lower part has no clear structure and moves freely in the jar, resembling the tentacles of a jellyfish.
Drink preparation rules
Over time, the size of the mushroom will increase and take up most of the space, in such cases, the growing place is changed to a more spacious one. The mushroom can weigh up to 100 kg, so it is used not only at home, but also on an industrial scale.
To properly prepare the Kombucha nutritional formula, follow these instructions:
- A liter jar is poured to the top with boiling water, add 2 tsp. tea of any kind and 5 tbsp. l. Sahara. It is very important that the dishes are clean; it is better to use loose leaf tea for brewing.
- The tea is brewed for 15 minutes, then the infusion is removed from the infusion and cooled to 20-25 ° C.
- Kombucha is dipped into a jar and covered with gauze, you need to insist for 5-10 days in a dark place.
- After the time has elapsed, the drink is drained, the mushroom is washed and dipped into a new jar with new tea.
- To obtain a carbonated drink, the finished filling is poured into glassware, tightly closed and stored at low temperatures for about 5 days.
Drink preparation tips
If the symbiont (kombucha) is young, then add 100 ml of tincture of the old drink to the jar. It must be brewed so that after straining the infusion is transparent and does not contain the remnants of tea leaves.You can not use metal containers, this leads to unnecessary chemical reactions, the exception to the rule is stainless steel.
You can only close the mushroom jar with gauze or a napkin. This is done so that air participates in chemical processes (respiration of the fungus). Room temperature should be at least 17 ° C, otherwise growth slows down and the appearance of foreign organisms is provoked.
A strong variety of tea will extend the time until the kombucha is ready for use. Before placing it in tea, it is worth completely dissolving the sugar and removing the remnants of the leaves. Otherwise, there is a danger of burns for the mushroom itself. The body needs periodic flushing. In summer, this procedure is carried out every 2 weeks, in winter, less often - every 3-4 weeks.
Irina Selyutina (Biologist):
When arranging mushrooms "bath day", it is important to observe the following points:
- Very carefully, trying not to damage, remove the kombucha from the jar and place on a wide plate, being careful not to deform;
- Place the plate with the mushroom in the sink, rinse with warm (not hot!) Water;
- Leave the mushroom in the air for a few minutes (but not more than 2-3).
- Place the kombucha gently in a clean jar, straighten it, cover with the solution and cover with gauze.
This procedure is necessary to maintain the health of your "home doctor". Otherwise, it will acquire a brown tint, then begin to exfoliate and die. Please note! Mushroom kvass that can be used must always be transparent.
For the normal functioning of the Kombucha, light is necessary, the minimum daylight hours should be 8 hours. But direct sunlight should not fall on its surface. Therefore, you will have to find a place with diffused sunlight - the windowsill is excluded from this list.
Indications and contraindications
Drinking the drink is not recommended for pregnant women.
The correct preparation technique will help preserve all the useful components of the drink. When the symbiotic organism has sunk to the bottom, it is no longer possible to drink the infusion. A large amount of vitamins and trace elements make this tea useful for metabolic disorders, colds, eye problems, ENT diseases, diarrhea, constipation and tuberculosis. It is often used to support men's health, lose weight, and improve the condition of the skin and hair.
Use should be strictly limited when:
- gastritis;
- type 1 diabetes mellitus;
- gout;
- HIV;
- pregnancy, as well as nursing mothers;
- the acute phase of gastrointestinal diseases.
You should not use mushroom tea in combination with strong medicinal preparations (they can give an unexpected effect in the complex). It is preferable for pregnant women to abstain from kombucha as an allergic reaction may occur. On this issue, you need to consult with a specialist.
As for diabetics, with a strong desire, the amount of sugar is reduced by diluting the infusion with mineral water or herbal tea. Drink only one glass a day. You should also not use it for those who are driving, because 1 liter of the drink contains about 3% alcohol.
Admission rules for diseases
In case of mild poisoning, they follow a hungry diet for 2-3 days and drink 1 glass of infusion 3 times a day 45 minutes before meals. After 2-3 days, they begin to eat fully, but they do not stop drinking tea.
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
Gastrointestinal disease is also treated with kombucha. Refuse to use is only in the acute form of the disease. If pancreatitis is a chronic form, then the amount of tea you drink should be limited to 0.5 liters. It is introduced into the diet gradually and, if unpleasant sensations, the reception is stopped. In the first few days, the dose per day should not exceed 150 ml. Medusomycete helps to establish bowel function and improve the general condition of the body. You can drink mushroom kvass only in the stage of stable remission and use a minimum amount of sugar for its preparation.
Oncology
In folk medicine, it is believed that if kombucha is brewed together with dry birch leaves, it will help in the treatment of oncology. For cooking, you need to mix a couple of tablespoons of sugar with 2 liters of boiling water and add 4-5 g of black tea, as well as 20 birch leaves. After the drink is left overnight, then filtered, poured in kombucha and after a week the infusion is ready. It is believed that this version of kvass requires yellow birch leaves, collected in August-October.
Slimming
Despite the large amount of sugar in the drink, jellyfish is an excellent aid in losing weight. Weight is normalized with good digestion. When fighting obesity, you should drink at least 1.5 liters of drink per day on an empty stomach or half an hour after a meal to speed up metabolism. You cannot drink more than 200 ml for 1 reception.
For greater efficiency, add 2 tbsp to 200 ml of tea. l. flaxseeds and 1 tbsp. l honey. It is taken 2 times a day.
For children
Children are shown infusion only from six months of age. It helps well in the fight against angina, chronic tonsillitis and inflammation of the larynx. In addition to being taken orally, they are gargled or buried in the nose. For this, 2 drops 3-4 times a day are enough.
The amount of its consumption for children should be half that for an adult. It is better to start with volumes of 20-30 ml 1-2 times a day. Children can drink only a fresh drink, and a concentrated one should be diluted with water in a 1: 1 ratio.
Conclusion
To see the result of drinking tea infusion, you need to drink it for at least one month, after which you need to take a break for 2-3 weeks and repeat the procedures for six months. Brew tea, observing all the conditions so that the useful components are preserved in their original form.
