Mushroom tea (Kombucha): benefits and harms, how to grow medusomycetes

How nice it is to quench your thirst in the summer heat with cool tea kvass prepared at home! The living creature medusomycete, named because of its resemblance to a jellyfish, floats on the surface and converts the nutrient solution into a healing composition that is used to treat diseases. The beneficial properties of kombucha help cure colds, lower blood pressure, reduce body weight, and cope with cellulite. Unofficially, the medusomycete is called the Japanese sponge, tea jellyfish, as well as Japanese, Manchurian, Indian, sea, and Fanga mushrooms.

What are the benefits of kombucha?

The healthy drink is produced by the joint activity of yeast fungi and acetic acid bacteria. The yellow-brown colony is shiny and dense above, with filamentous processes below.

In dairy products from the store, processing leaves almost no living lactic acid bacteria. In turn, a certain supply of acid has the beneficial property of dissolving toxins. Otherwise, the tissues become fragile and prone to hemorrhage. The safe acids, enzymes, and vinegar needed by the body form the fermentation of kombucha.

Yeast produces ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide from sugar dissolved in water. Acetic acid bacteria convert alcohol into acetic acid. The activity of microorganisms forms a slightly carbonated sweet and sour drink.

Kombucha owes its medicinal properties to vitamins C, PP, D, group B, and organic acids - gluconic, lactic, acetic, oxalic, malic, citric.

Gluconic acid increases muscle performance and activates metabolism. Excess calcium salts after combining with gluconic acid can form crystals at the bottom of the container.

Jellyfish synthesizes the enzymes protease, catalase, amylase, which accelerate metabolic reactions. Kombucha benefits due to its naturally occurring antibiotic properties.

Useful properties and contraindications of kombucha:

During studies of the chemical and biological properties of the drink formed by kombucha, it was found that this drink has an antimicrobial, otherwise antibiotic, effect. Moreover, these properties are directly related to the accumulation during the growth period (7–8 days) of a special antibiotic - jellyfish, which is completely non-toxic and very resistant to acids and heat. Even with severe forms of stomatitis, medusin has a therapeutic effect in just five days. In addition to the mentioned antibiotic, tea kvass also contains vitamins formed from tea substances.

Tea kvass has many useful therapeutic and prophylactic properties. It improves the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, normalizes stomach acidity, promoting rapid recovery from dysentery. It also suppresses putrefactive microflora, helps in the fight against constipation and kidney stones. In addition, the drink lowers blood pressure, lowers cholesterol levels in the blood, reduces the severity of neurological headaches, relieves heart pain and insomnia. Moreover, this medicine actually has no serious contraindications for use, so everyone can take it.

This drink has a very wide spectrum of action and is very healing. After all, it not only helps the body cleanse itself of toxins and poisons, but also strengthens it by killing viruses that interfere with normal functioning and performance. Unfortunately, the chemical composition and therapeutic and prophylactic properties of kombucha have still not been thoroughly studied, and the studies of scientists and biologists who have tried to study it are full of inaccuracies, and in some cases even incompetent. Even its varieties were confused almost until the beginning of the 20th century. And only thanks to foreign scientists, on whose data our researchers relied, information about kombucha has now become quite complete and more accurate.

Nowadays, infusions and preparations based on kombucha are used not only in folk medicine, but also in professional medicine. But since doctors believe that the content of medicinal substances in the infusion is not particularly high, they begin to think about how to improve the medusomycete and learn to control its metabolism. This would make it possible to enhance the synthesis of antibiotics and other beneficial substances and would make the drug more active and widely used.

How to grow kombucha at home. Recipe

The jellyfish consists of several layers. About once a month it separates a thin, delicate film, which is used for propagation.

Recipe for growing Kombucha:

1. Fill a clean three-liter jar with a weak infusion of tea at room temperature.
2. Dissolve sugar at the rate of 100g per 1l - this way the finished product will acquire maximum beneficial properties.
3. Cover the jar with gauze and place in a shaded, warm place. The optimal infusion temperature is +24C.
4. A week later, the first portion of tea kvass is ready.

Filter half of the drink through several layers of gauze.

Use the healthy product within 3-4 days.

Keep refrigerated.

1. Fill the jar to the top with sweetened tea infusion.
2. Drain the finished drink every 4-7 days.

Kombucha: how to care for and use?

You can grow kombucha at home - it is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. It is better to start growing it yourself with the help of friends - from a ready-made layer of kombucha, which is properly cared for. If this is not possible, it will be useful to learn how to grow a mushroom from scratch.

How to grow kombucha from scratch?

Preparing kombucha at home is carried out in the following sequence:

• prepare the ingredients and items that will be required for growing kombucha - a 3-liter jar, gauze, teapot, sugar, boiling water, loose leaf tea without any impurities or additives;
• Brew tea in a teapot - pour 5 tablespoons of tea leaves with 0.5 liters of boiling water, leave until completely cooled;
• in the meantime, wash a three-liter jar with simple baking soda;
• as soon as the tea has cooled, add 7 tablespoons of sugar and strain the composition;
• The sweet brew is poured into a jar, covered with gauze and left in a warm place for a month and a half.

Some time after the procedure, you can notice a thin film on the tea leaves - this is kombucha. It will grow constantly. As soon as a dense layer is obtained, it is transferred to a new clean jar and filled with tea. Tea is prepared in the standard way - pour boiling water over the tea leaves and add sugar at the rate of 5 tablespoons per 2 liters of tea. Ready-made and independently grown kombucha is left in a jar, covered with gauze.

There are no other ways to make kombucha. Some sources only advise rinsing the grown layer of kombucha in table vinegar, but this is not necessary.

Care

The kombucha is carefully cared for so that it does not die. There is nothing complicated here:

• they grow the mushroom in a two- or three-liter jar;
• the jar is not closed, but only covered with gauze;
• the jar should be glass for good transmission of light, but not sunlight, so the vessel is placed in the shade;
• The infusion should be drained every 2-3 days, and in winter - every 5-6 days;
• the finished infusion can be stored in the refrigerator or in the cellar;
• the solution for pouring a new portion of kombucha is prepared from already used tea leaves - the prepared solution is filtered from the tea leaves;
• The solution is already made sweet and poured into the kombucha - you cannot put sugar in a jar with mushroom, otherwise it will die.

When caring for kombucha, people have important questions, including:

Pomegranate: beneficial properties and contraindications. - there is more useful information here.

• How to separate kombucha? The jellyfish-shaped layer will independently divide into layers. As soon as this happens, the mushroom is removed from the jar and divided into parts under warm running water - the old layer is removed, and the new one is placed in a new clean jar and filled with sweet tea solution.
• Why did the kombucha sink to the bottom of the jar? This often occurs when changing the solution and no additional manipulations should be performed. The mushroom will rise to the top on its own in 2-3 days.
• Mold has appeared on the mushroom, what should I do? This rarely occurs and is largely due to poor care. To get rid of mold, you need to remove the mushroom from the container and clean it from the bottom layer. The container itself is cleaned and boiled or sterilized. The cleaned mushroom is placed in a clean jar and filled with new starter.
• How to rinse kombucha? This is done under running water, but with completely clean hands - it is important to remove all gold jewelry from your hands so as not to damage the structure.

There should not be any other difficulties in caring for kombucha.

You will be interested in this article - Sea buckthorn: beneficial properties and contraindications.

How to care for kombucha so it doesn't turn brown

Renew the nutrient solution regularly - otherwise the jellyfish will die. For preparation, use any high-quality black or green tea without aromatic additives.

When caring for kombucha, it is forbidden to put granulated sugar on the surface - this will cause the jellyfish to get burned. Sugar must be dissolved in the tea infusion.

If the mushroom begins to darken, change the infusion completely. Pour out the stale kvass - it will hiss and foam like soda.

Wash the mushroom with warm boiled water at least once every two weeks.

A healthy fungal organism is found near the surface. If it sinks to the bottom, you cannot drink the drink.

Contraindications to drinking kombucha

If you use kombucha correctly, it is allowed for almost everyone, but kombucha also has contraindications. These include:

• stomach ulcers and gastritis with high acidity in the acute phase - with these ailments you need to give up kombucha at least for a while;
• diabetes mellitus, since medusomycetes are grown in sweetened tea, the drink can raise blood glucose levels;
• individual allergies;
• tendency to hypotension;
• pregnancy and lactation period.

Also, you should not drink kvass from mushroom jellyfish if you have any fungal diseases, regardless of their nature and location.

Medicinal uses of kombucha

Experiments on animals have proven that even with critical levels of cholesterol in the blood, drinking the drink saves you from imminent death.

Kombucha is useful because it has a calming effect and helps with insomnia.

Recipe for treating alcoholism:

• Take up to 1 liter of drink 4-6 times a day at least an hour before meals for three months.

After reducing the craving for alcohol, the beneficial properties of kombucha will help consolidate the achieved result. Take the drink for prevention in the morning and evening.

What does Kombucha cure?

It is popularly believed that kombucha has at least 8 healing properties and is useful for gastrointestinal diseases and fungal skin infections. In addition to this drink:

• cleanses the liver;
• reduces blood pressure and protects the heart;
• restores skin structure.

In the 20th century, after numerous studies, scientists proved what our ancestors knew a thousand years ago, namely, what Kombucha cures and how to take it. By the way, residents of eastern and southern countries drank kombucha only to treat the liver and stomach.

How to drink kombucha to restore stomach function

The drink saturates the body with probiotics. During the fermentation and fermentation process, a large number of healing probiotics are formed, which restore normal microflora and strengthen the immune system.

Kombucha contains a large amount of amino acids and enzymes that normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract for 7 days. This result is achieved due to the large secretion of mucus, which protects the lining of the stomach.

If you have low acidity, the digestion process is poor, it is recommended to drink the drink constantly. If you have problems with stool, you need to drink a glass of kombucha half an hour to an hour before meals, if you have an upset stomach, 2-3 sips every 2-3 hours.

To improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract

If you are prone to flatulence, constipation or diarrhea, it is recommended to use kombucha on an ongoing basis - the product improves intestinal function and stabilizes the condition. Kombucha fights pathogenic bacteria, populates the intestines with beneficial microflora, and slightly speeds up metabolism.

• For frequent constipation, you should take the remedy half an hour before eating, in a volume of no more than half a glass.
• For diarrhea, drink 100 ml of mushroom kvass a couple of hours before meals - the very next day the stool returns to normal, abdominal pain disappears and a normal appetite appears.

The medicinal properties of kombucha are very useful for the prevention of gastrointestinal ailments and diseases of internal organs. Kombucha stimulates the pancreas, increases appetite, and helps get rid of the problem of “sluggish” intestines that digest food too slowly.

Kombucha may reduce the risk of heart disease

Studies on rats have shown that kombucha can significantly improve two markers of cardiovascular disease: “bad” cholesterol and “good” LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol in just 30 days.

It is also known that people who regularly drink green tea have a 31% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease than others. Kombucha made from green tea retains all its beneficial properties.

How to drink kombucha for liver and heart diseases

To treat the liver and heart, kombucha is prepared from green tea, which has many active compounds that have an antioxidant effect on liver cells, protecting them from damage.

It has an antibacterial effect due to acetic acid, which is formed during the fermentation process. According to research, kombucha eliminates staphylococcus, listeria and a range of other pathogenic microorganisms.

Reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Kombucha reduces the concentration of cholesterol in the blood, preventing the development of heart attack and cerebral ischemia.

Drink kombucha once a day, 150-200 ml. Better in the morning.

Treatment of warts and skin lesions

The antiseptic properties of the product allow you to disinfect wounds, burns and even bedsores, and remove cosmetic defects such as warts.

Using kombucha to treat sore skin areas is very simple. You can wipe the damaged areas with tea infusion. Or you can apply a whole young medusomycete to them, which is a fairly thin film.

For nail fungus

Compresses made from small pieces of medusomycetes will help cope with nail fungus. To do this, it is enough to apply compresses to the problematic nail plates and fix them with a bandage or plaster overnight. Kombucha quickly eliminates pathogens and eliminates damage caused to the nail plate.

Treatment of ingrown toenails

The benefits of mushrooms in a jar also manifest themselves in cases of external inflammation. Kombucha is actively used to eliminate pain symptoms from ingrown toenails. Small pieces are separated from a large adult mushroom and applied as compresses to the sore spot. In a few days, the mushroom will remove suppuration, calm inflammation in the tissues and reduce pain.

Against diabetes and cancer

Scientists say that kombucha reduces the rate of breakdown of carbohydrates, which leads to a slower rise in blood sugar levels. In this case, the risk of liver damage and the development of diabetes is reduced.

Slows down the development of cancer. Studies have shown that kombucha can inhibit the metastasis of cancer cells.

Protects the lungs. Scientists from China have discovered that inhaling the components of kombucha protects the lungs from hazardous substances; the drink is recommended to be consumed as a preventive measure for the development of occupational diseases for those who work in hazardous industries.

Kombucha for weight loss

Many nutritionists advise taking tea kvass to people who are overweight.
This drink accelerates metabolic processes, regulates metabolism and cleanses the intestines. You should drink 1 glass of kombucha an hour before meals and 1.5-2 hours after meals . But the total amount of kvass should not exceed 6 glasses per day. This product is only allowed to be taken for 4 weeks. Then you need to give the body a little rest (about 7-10 days), after which the course can be resumed.

Toning smoothie for weight loss

Tonic drinks are prepared based on kombucha.

Light smoothie for dinner. You will need a glass of kombucha, 50 grams of cucumber, carrots and a sour apple. Grind all ingredients in a blender. By replacing dinner with this cocktail, you can lose up to 3-4 kilograms in a week.

Treatment of dysbiosis

The benefits of kombucha tea help eliminate discomfort and abdominal pain, and repopulate the intestines with the microflora necessary for healthy functioning.

For treatment, it is recommended to use a well-infused solution with the addition of natural honey. Then the product will not only restore the bacterial balance, but also eliminate all microorganisms that cause harm. You need to drink healthy mushroom tea before eating, in the amount of a glass twice a day, and after taking the product it is recommended to lie quietly for about an hour.

For anemia

The benefit of the mushroom for kvass is that it improves blood composition and protects against anemia. For anemia, it is recommended to include the drink in a comprehensive wellness menu. You should take mushroom tea during the day, 40 minutes before lunch, and in the evening, shortly before bed, in the amount of one glass.

In addition to kombucha, it is recommended to eat more vegetables - cucumbers, carrots, beets. The beneficial properties of all these products will contribute to the rapid return of good health.

How to drink kombucha when you have a cold

To reduce the temperature, warm the drink a little and drink a glass twice a day. For sore throat and sore throat, it is recommended to rinse your mouth with a drink. Prepare the solution in the same way: first heat it up and then dilute it with water in a 1:1 ratio. You should gargle for 5-6 minutes up to 10 times a day. Rinsing the nasopharynx helps with a runny nose.

Normalization of gastrointestinal tract activity

The medicinal properties of kombucha normalize digestion and help with constipation, especially in the elderly. The drink is consumed for diseases of the bile ducts, which are aggravated by a sedentary lifestyle.

The drink normalizes the acidity of gastric juice, suppresses putrefactive microflora, and helps get rid of harmful substances in the intestines.

Treatment of gastrointestinal diseases:

• Take a 7-day infusion of kombucha, 1/2 cup an hour before meals.

In case of gallbladder disease, after taking it, lie down for an hour on your right side.

Beneficial properties of tea

The maximum benefits of tea will be achieved if the mushroom is properly cared for, the substrate is prepared from high-quality tea leaves and the drink is not over-exposed. Regular cleaning of the mycelium also plays an important role in improving the quality and taste of the drink.

Tea has many beneficial properties:

• has an anti-inflammatory effect on the mucous membranes, therefore helps fight colds, flu and acute respiratory viral infections;
• has a pronounced antibacterial effect;
• helps normalize body temperature during illness;
• helps cope with fever and headache;
• helps remove excess fluid, helps relieve swelling;
• heals the intestinal microflora, removes waste and toxins;
• lowers blood pressure, improves hypertension;
• improves the functioning of the nervous system;
• alleviates the condition of tuberculosis;
• protects against atherosclerosis, cleanses blood vessels.

For many diseases, you can drink a tea drink. These are influenza, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, conjunctivitis, gastritis, enterocolitis, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and kidneys, constipation, non-healing wounds, etc. A noticeable effect from drinking tea is achieved only with regular use in a dosage of 2-3 glasses per day.

Tea helps relieve symptoms of flu and colds, remove toxins and improve overall well-being

Tea shows particularly pronounced effectiveness in the treatment of nasopharynx. For a sore throat, it is recommended to gargle with a solution of kvass in a ratio of 1:10. The solution is heated before use. The procedure is repeated every hour. Do the same when rinsing the nose, treating stomatitis and pharyngitis.

If a person suffers from conjunctivitis, you can instill 2-3 drops of diluted tea in a ratio of 1:20 into each eye several times a day. To prevent colds and infectious diseases, it is recommended to drink a glass of cool tea every day between meals.

Drinking tea by older people gives good results. It improves overall well-being, gives a boost of energy, helps cope with attacks of hypertension, lowering blood pressure and relaxing the walls of blood vessels. Thanks to the drink, digestion is normalized, constipation goes away, and headaches calm down.

Kombucha treatment for hypertension and atherosclerosis

Regular consumption of 1/2 glass of the drink 3-4 times a day reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the blood. Reduces or eliminates headaches and heart pain, normalizes sleep.

For high blood pressure, kombucha is combined with an infusion of dill seeds. The beneficial composition stimulates the activity of the heart, strengthens the heart muscle, dilates blood vessels, normalizes blood pressure, and helps to fall asleep faster.

Kombucha is useful for treating atherosclerosis. The health course continues in two stages with a one-month break:

• For the first week, take half a glass of the drink at night, and do not drink other liquids until the morning.
• Over the next three weeks, increase the evening dose to 1 glass, take half a glass an hour before breakfast.

Repeat treatment in a month.

How to drink kombucha according to Neumyvakin

The famous doctor Neumyvakin also speaks highly of the properties of medusomycetes and offers his own method of using it. In general, Neumyvakin’s method echoes the classical method of using medusomycetes:

1. According to Neumyvakin, to improve the health of the body and general disease prevention, it is correct to drink 3 glasses of kombucha every day.
2. The first glass is drunk in the morning on an empty stomach, 45 minutes before breakfast, the second before lunch, and the third at night shortly before bedtime.
3. The course is continued for 2 months, since the dosage of the drink is increased compared to the usual ones; drinking kombucha for too long can cause stomach irritation.

Taking kvass from mushroom jellyfish is useful for slow digestion

Neumyvakin especially notes that it is not necessary to take a whole glass of kombucha correctly. If desired, the dosage can be reduced to 2/3 or half of the indicated volume, this will also be correct.

Hair strengthening

To make hair silky and shiny, eliminate gray hair and dandruff, rinse your hair with kombucha infusion. For dry hair, rub into scalp shortly before washing.

Recipe 1:

• Leave a glass of the drink for a month, dilute with 2 liters of warm water.

Rinsing after washing restores the softness and shine of the hair, making it easy to comb.

Recipe 2:

Brew a glass of boiling water and leave for 10-15 minutes:

• For brittleness and loss: 1 tsp. nettle, chamomile, rosemary;
• For high fat content: 1 tsp. rosemary, sage, horsetail, thyme;
• To restore shine: 2 tbsp. burdock leaves.

Add 120 ml of one-month mushroom to the herbal infusion, dilute with 2 liters of warm water. Apply after washing your hair.

Medicinal properties:

Considering that kombucha has an anti-inflammatory effect, its solution is used to treat sore throat, tonsillitis and the common cold. At the same time, to enhance the properties of the drug, it is slightly heated in an enamel container and certainly diluted in a ratio of 1:2. The infusion used should not irritate the oral mucosa or sting. Therefore, you should definitely try it before taking it. If the infusion has a pleasant, slightly sour taste, you have diluted it correctly.

In order to reduce burning and pain in the throat, you can rinse your throat and mouth with this drink for 8 minutes. This procedure should be repeated four, and sometimes even 20 times a day. Almost within a day, the temperature drops and the swallowing process becomes easier.

This infusion can not only treat sore throat and chronic types of tonsillitis, but also stop relapses of these diseases in those who are prone to them. You just need to gargle in the morning and evening for one month.

This drink helps relieve inflammation in the nasopharynx and oral cavity. The solution kills streptococci and other microorganisms that cause inflammatory processes in the tonsils. In this regard, when you have a runny nose, use an infusion of kombucha to rinse your sinuses. This procedure allows you to eliminate a runny nose of any etiology and restore the lost sense of smell. Gauze swabs soaked in the same solution, which need to be inserted into the nasal passages, will help cope with a common cold.

In order to enhance and accelerate the clinical effect of such treatment, it is recommended to change tampons every half hour.

Great video with great tips. Worth a look!

And further:

In the autumn-winter period, when the threat of catching a cold increases, it is useful to drink tea kvass in the morning and evening for preventive purposes. One glass is enough an hour before meals and before bed. Drinking a drink in the morning on an empty stomach will prepare your digestive system for the day's stress.

Taken at night, it will disinfect the stomach, kill bacteria and germs, calm the nerves and improve sleep.

Treatment of skin damage, cellulite

The beneficial properties of the kombucha drink are used to treat skin lesions: wounds, abrasions, burns, suppuration.

If the medusomycete has been left standing and the nutrient solution has become acetic acid, this remedy removes warts and brown spots on the skin.

Cellulite treatment:

1. To enhance the beneficial properties of kombucha, soak the infusion for 10 days.
2. Pass two lemons and a couple of golden mustache leaves through a meat grinder.
3. Brew the mixture with one and a half glasses of heated drink, leave for 45 minutes.

After a hot bath or sauna, place the mixture in gauze, apply a compress to problem areas, wrap in plastic and a terry towel. After half an hour or an hour, remove, rinse the area, apply cream.

Contraindications and harm to the product

It is harmful to drink over-stay kombucha, otherwise you may get vinegar poisoning. In addition, there are categories of people with chronic diseases for whom the drink should be excluded from their diet:

• patients with type 1 diabetes, since kvass contains a lot of sugar;
• serious problems with the gastrointestinal tract during an exacerbation: gastritis, ulcers, increased acidity;
• the drink is not recommended for consumption by people suffering from fungal diseases;
• hypotensive patients should significantly limit the amount of kvass infused with green tea;
• with individual intolerance to the fungus.

Of course, the amount of consumption of this drink requires a reasonable measure, like all healing remedies that have not been fully studied by scientific medicine.