Surely, more than once, they saw amazing creatures floating in three-liter jars in the kitchens of many people. However, that this is a fungal formation or a living creature is unlikely to be able to answer. In fact, it is tea jellyfish, also known as kombucha , Japanese mushroom, Japanese uterus, Manchurian mushroom, fango, kombucha kombucha, or sea kvass, formed by a combination of yeast and acetic bacteria. This product has been known to mankind for a very long time: the first mention of it was found in Chinese annals dated 250 BC. However, the benefits and dangers of Kombucha are still heatedly debated.
Tea jellyfish: a symbiosis of fungi and bacteria
A certain substance formed by strains of various microorganisms displays the result of the interaction of yeast-like fungi and bacteria. This layered body, floating on the surface of a sweet nutrient medium, processes it. In the process of life, Kombucha ferments sugar, resulting in ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide. Therefore, the drink has a slightly pronounced carbonated taste.
Fango: history and modernity
From time immemorial, people have known about the benefits of Kombucha (no harm was detected at that time) and for centuries have used its positive properties for medicinal purposes. The earliest mentions of this amazing product were identified in ancient Chinese treatises of 250 BC. Although many scientists claim that he came to China much earlier from Tibet.
In our country, the fungo mushroom appeared only about 200 years ago. Initially, residents of Transbaikalia used it as a healing agent, but soon this product gained fame as a delicious drink and gradually spread throughout the country. People quickly appreciated the unusual taste and benefits of Kombucha for the body, no one noticed the harm.
Kombucha still lives in the kitchens of many people and is successfully used as a kind of homemade lemonade. However, not everyone can safely take a healing infusion: a completely unpresentable appearance causes concern and even squeamishness in some people.
A panacea for all illnesses or a placebo
By identifying the benefits and harms of Kombucha, scientists have found that drinks made on its basis have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. In some cases, such products can normalize intestinal activity and alleviate the symptoms of hypertension. Many claim the sedative properties of such infusions: regular use of fluids soothes, normalizes sleep, and even relieves headaches. However, despite all the reviews of doctors about the benefits and harms of Kombucha, it cannot be considered a panacea for all diseases.
Modern research
People began to think about the possible dangers and benefits of homemade Kombucha relatively recently, since the true essence of this formation began to be carefully studied only in recent years.
It turned out that the drink, prepared on the basis of the activity of tea jellyfish, really has healing properties. It has a beneficial effect on the body and cleanses it of the appearance of pathogenic microflora. It is useful in many diseases, because it contains a whole vitamin complex, essential acids and enzymes.
However, not all people can use it. It is contraindicated in patients suffering from certain diseases of the endocrine system, a number of pathologies of the liver of the gallbladder and urolithiasis. This product should not be used by persons with individual intolerance to the components of the drink.
Healing properties
The tonic properties of this drink are undeniable. Convincing and its beneficial effect on the digestive tract. Microorganisms, the vital activity of which causes the fermentation process in tea kvass, getting into the intestinal system, has a beneficial effect on the microflora of the body. They have antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
Another healing component of the drink is gluconic acid. This element increases the efficiency of muscle tissue and normalizes metabolic processes.
Use in traditional medicine
Despite the potential harm, Kombucha, whose benefits have been known for millennia, is widely used in folk medicine. It is used in the treatment of hypertension and atherosclerosis, tonsillitis and tonsillitis, to relieve headaches, hypertension and idiopathic paroxysmal tachycardia. With its help get rid of colitis, diarrhea and constipation. Kombucha is recommended for physical and psychoemotional overwork.
Today you can hear a lot of talk and reviews about the benefits and harms of Kombucha, the effect of which is sometimes in doubt among supporters of traditional medicine. For example, that the infusion heals festering and rotting wounds or that small layers of fango are applied to burns and abrasions.
It is believed that Kombucha drinks are best absorbed when consumed in the morning (on an empty stomach) and in the evening (just before bedtime).
We drink with pleasure
Many people drink Kombucha drink not because it is healthy, but because it is delicious. Indeed, there is nothing nicer than drinking a glass of cool sea kvass in hot weather. This tonic fluid perfectly quenches thirst.
The prepared drink does not heat up in a warm room and can be stored in the refrigerator for a long time. It should be noted that even with prolonged storage, it does not lose its taste. It goes well with honey and lemon, so you can always make tea kvass to your own taste.
Doctors opinions
However, sometimes these beneficial ingredients can be harmful. According to doctors, the harm from consuming Kombucha in some cases can be caused by the presence of a large amount of acid. In gastritis with a low level of ph, these substances have a healing effect and are necessary for the body. At the same time, with gastritis with an elevated level of ph, the presence of acids can cause an exacerbation of the disease.
Experts do not recommend the use of such drugs in large quantities, since the effect of the so-called sea kvass has not been fully studied. In addition, we must not forget that this remedy has only an auxiliary effect and is unlikely to replace medications in the treatment of serious diseases. Therefore, it, like any other traditional medicine technique, must be used wisely.
Use in cosmetology
Kombucha is in demand in home cosmetology. His infusion helps in the fight against various skin defects, in the presence of inflammatory processes, from dry skin. It is believed that regular use of such a product makes the skin smooth and supple.
Compresses made on the basis of this drink can narrow the broad pores of the face. Cellulite wraps are another benefit of Japanese Kombucha. Harm in the form of unwanted peeling or rashes can be caused only by individual intolerance to the product. However, such manifestations are extremely rare. Many women note the effect of using this infusion as the basis for home masks. The beneficial properties of Kombucha are used even in the treatment of psoriasis.
Contraindications and Precautions
Despite the huge list of healing properties, it has Kombucha and contraindications. The benefits and harms of this product often cause controversy between the patient and the doctor. It is proved that the use of fango is completely contraindicated in:
- diseases accompanied by increased production of gastric juice - this is gastritis with high acidity and duodenal ulcer;
- exacerbations of diseases of the gallbladder, as well as after its removal;
- type 1 diabetes mellitus;
- diseases caused by fungal infections;
- urolithiasis.
The benefits and harms of Kombucha during pregnancy have not been fully studied, therefore, kombuchi infusions should be used with caution during this period. You can not give such a drink to children under the age of 5 years. The presence of alcohol in this product can negatively affect the condition of the baby. Teenagers can use it only in the absence of allergic manifestations.
You should not abuse such a drink to people suffering from symptoms of tachycardia and manifestations of hypotension. Before you drive, it is also better to refuse to use fango.
Kombucha in diets
In former times, Japanese geisha used kombucha to preserve their harmony and youth for a long time. Such benefits of kombucha kombucha (no sources mentioned harm and other undesirable consequences) were used in ancient Japan many centuries ago.
But how can Kombucha help? It turns out that due to the unique composition in combination with a properly balanced diet, sea kvass contributes to weight loss. Enzymes included in kombucha help break down proteins and fats.
The presence of gluconic acid in the drink improves the metabolic processes in the body, which speeds up the process of losing weight. Kombucha allows muscles and tissues to remain elastic. Regular use of tea kvass ensures the preservation of body harmony and youthful skin.
Strengthen the effect will help special herbal preparations added to the drink. To do this, take 1 tablespoon of peppermint, dandelion roots, fennel and parsley seeds, brew with boiling water and insist for 30-40 minutes. The broth is filtered and bred with tea kvass in equal proportions. If you use this mixture daily in the morning and evening, then very soon a positive result will be obvious. The beneficial effect will affect not only the harmony of the body, but also the condition of the skin.
How to make a drink
In order to prepare a truly tasty, healthy and healing drink, it is necessary to create optimal conditions for growing the mushroom. This will require 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 process of preparation, we must not forget that in a glass container there is a living organism that requires careful treatment. Any mechanical influences, high water temperature, direct sunlight or lack of access to oxygen are detrimental to tea jellyfish. When draining the infusion, one must not forget that the fungus needs a fresh nutrient medium, otherwise it will dry out.
Care for kombucha
The mushroom is unpretentious and does not require any special care. It is only important to consider that it will not develop in opaque dishes, because it needs sunlight, but at the same time does not tolerate direct sunlight. The jar cannot be covered with a lid; it is enough to cover the neck with gauze folded in several layers. Without air, the fungus simply suffocates and dies.
In the warm season, the infusion is drained every three to four days and placed in the refrigerator. In winter, the vital activity of the fungus slows down a little, so in the cold season the drink will be ready only for 5-6 days.
Once a month, the mushroom must be removed from the can and washed under a stream of warm water. If the top layer became dark or brown, then the care was wrong. Color change may also occur due to overripe infusion. In this case, the fluid is completely replaced.
In order for the mushroom to grow well and fully develop, it is necessary to regularly add the right amount of cold sweet tea. You can’t pour sugar directly into the jar with kombucha - such mechanical effects lead to burns of the jellyfish mucosa and its subsequent death.
The optimum ambient temperature for the normal existence of tea jellyfish is from 17 to 25 ° C. If you place the fango in cooler conditions, then algae starts in his body, which makes the infusion toxic and consuming such a mushroom and tea drink (the benefits and harms of which lose their value) is dangerous to health. Surprisingly, kombucha can live and develop over the years, occupying more and more space in the tank, but parasites never start in it.