Kombucha benefits and harm

Symbiotic organism: a tea fungus or a tea jellyfish( Medusomyces gisevii) was known for 250 years before the beginning of our era, in the Han dynasty in China. The Chinese called it the elixir of health and immortality.

This mushroom is familiar to many Russian people. Previously, it was an indispensable attribute of philistine and rural houses. Like many zooglubs, which have medicinal properties, he came to us from Asia.

In general, this is one of the very ancient organisms known since time immemorial. The first mention of him was made in Manchuria and refer to 220 BC.e.

The birthplace of a tea fungus is Ceylon, from where it spread to India, and then moved to China. Already from the Celestial zoogloe appeared in Manchuria and Eastern Siberia. The eastern origin of of the tea fungus is evidenced by its other name, kombucha. Scientifically, it is called a medusomycete( Medusomyces gisevi) for its external resemblance to jellyfish.

However, not all researchers share this version of the origin and distribution of the tea fungus. Some believe that as such it originated in Tibet. Others indicate that its properties were known to the ancient Greeks. To establish the real history of this curative fungus will now be unlikely. However, it is known how the kombucha was in Europe.

In Russia it was studied since the end of the XIX century, because Transbaikalia and Manchuria were in the aura of interests of the Russian Empire. At the same time it was established that this, in fact, is not a mushroom at all, but a symbiosis of acetic acid bacteria and several yeast species. Scientists have found out both the composition of zooglues, and its healing properties.

In Russia, the tea mushroom is particularly well established in the Volga region, in the central provinces of Russia. He found his niche also in Ukraine, Belarus, the Baltics. Was moved to the Transcaucasus.

Of the European countries, Germany was the first to know about the tea mushroom. It happened in the beginning of XX century. In the same place, the first truly scientific description of the organism was compiled. It was made in 1913 by the German mycologist G. Lindau. Hence the history of the long-term and constant study of komuchi begins.

In England, France and Prussia, a vinegar was made from a drink made with the help of a tea mushroom. They produced it in open wooden barrels, the fungus's films reached a gigantic size. A patent was even obtained for the production of vinegar in this way. It was used as a regular drink, and therefore was called mushroom kvass, tea kvass. So he became known in Russian families.

Researchers were also interested in the specifics of this zoogea. They found that the liquid obtained as a result of fermentation has a positive effect on the condition of a person who has high blood pressure, reduces the risk of atherosclerosis. A good effect is also found in a number of cases with acute gastrointestinal diseases. On the basis of the tea fungus, even a special antibiotic, the medusin, was isolated( E. K. Naumova).Infusion of the fungus was prescribed for stomatitis. Since the middle of the last century, talk about its bactericidal effect.

People used a drink from the tea fungus, not only as such, but also for healing purposes - to get rid of all sorts of colds, maintain strength, give the body tone."Refreshing", "sour", "invigorating" - so many times said about him all those who tried it. This drink was drunk with headaches, intestinal disorders. In Japan, for example, he was used to preserve the harmony of the figure. Vinegar, derived from it, rinsed the hair to give them shine. Particularly useful was its impact on older people. Mushroom kvass improved the well-being of elderly and old people."Prescribed" this drink and with constipation.

Later, already in the heyday of biology, it was found that this drink has pronounced metabolic properties, restoring normal conditions in the cell membranes, which provides the effect of well-being.

Useful properties

The mushroom does not absorb the aromatic, tannic and other substances of tea, however it can not live without it. Here is a paradox! Without tea, he can not, for example, synthesize, acid. Actually, the secret of preparation of this useful and fragrant drink from the tea fungus is very simple: water, tea, sugar, air, a secluded place plus care and cleaning.

The fermentation process initiates yeast. As a result, ethyl alcohol and carbonic acid are formed from sugar. Then the bacteria enter into the matter. They oxidize alcohol, and the resulting acetic acid stops the fermentation process.

It turns out a liquid in which there is still unfermented sugar, carbonic acid, tannins( they are contained in the tea brew used by you), vitamins jpynnbi B and vitamin C. In this infusion there are also organic acids( lactic, coal, gluconic, kolevic, etc.)., enzymes, aromatic substances. As scientists have found out, according to the number of acids it contains, it is equal to the usual kvass. However, he gets more positive properties in comparison with kvass because of the combination of gluconic and kojic acids.

To properly store the fungus and get rich with useful substances, you need a suitable medium for this zoolege - filtered sweet black tea. This is further evidence that the fungus appeared where the tea bush grows - in Asia. The more strong the tea, the more vitamins will be in the desired product.

It is very important to take care of normal intestinal microflora. Useful bacteria for the human body stimulate the processes of its protection. They are responsible for the removal of toxins and toxins - the main enemies of the bacteria that protect us, the most important of which is Escherichia coli( intestinal bacterium).

From the microflora of the intestine depends on how well the body can cope with negative factors, including causing disease and aging. Poisoning of working in our body systems manifests itself in bad smell from the mouth, constant headaches, difficulties with digestion, rheumatic diseases, immune system disorders. Eczema and cancer - seemingly so dissimilar ailments - arise from the weakening of immunity, the damage to healthy systems as a result of the negative effect of toxins. The tea fungus contains the necessary acids for the body and flushes microbes from it, leading to these terrible consequences. It is very important that while it is completely natural and safe.

Description of the species

The tea mushroom is a kind of symbiotic organism consisting of two components: the fungus( mycobiont) and the algal( phycobiont).Tea mushroom is a symbiosis of acetic acid bacillus and yeast fungi. Tea mushroom, along with kefir fungus, refers to the fungus-zoolei. The yeast fungus ferments sugar with the formation of alcohol and carbon dioxide, and acetic acid bacteria oxidize alcohol and convert it into organic acids. As a result, a flavored beverage of pleasant, sourish taste, reminiscent of tea kvass, is obtained.

Fungus is a thick layered mucous membrane that floats on the surface of a liquid nutrient medium - sweet tea or juice. The tea mushroom is inclined to fill the entire free surface of the nutrient medium, therefore in industrial conditions it can reach impressive sizes - up to 100 kg. In domestic conditions it is placed in glass jars from half a liter to five liters filled with sweet tea.

This fungus, as already mentioned, looks like a jellyfish. Therefore, it often causes some vigilance, and sometimes even unpleasant sensations. Its upper part is shiny, dense, and the lower part is hanging threads. It is in it that the sugar solution and tea leaves are turned into a medicinal drink.

For the correct preparation of this drink you need sugar, as for Indian sea mushroom, and tea tea. That's why this zoogloea is called a tea fungus.

Its film has a yellowish-brown color and floats on the surface of the infusion of sweet black tea. In the liquid there may be glucose, sucrose, fructose. It does not matter, and the grade of tea, but it should be without additives and it is black.

In addition, a number of components are distinguished in the composition of the drink obtained with the help of a tea fungus:

ethyl alcohol

Rules for growing, care and consumption of

Usually, 2 teaspoons of dry black tea and about 50 g of sugarmaximum 100 g).Tea should be poured so that it does not fall on the fungus itself and does not cause decay processes.

To make a tea mushroom and prepare a drink from it, it is necessary in a glass jar. It should be large - 2-3 liters, with a wide neck. Prepare the jar in the same way as for breeding Indian sea rice. Fill with filtered sweet tea. Put the mushroom there. Take the gauze folded in two layers. That's it and it is necessary to close the jar, but in no case a lid. The fungus is an organism that is alive, and it requires air.

Water pour boiled or purified, along with the sugar dissolved in it. In raw water, a lot of calcium, it can form a precipitate of salts of gluconic acid. Do not put sugar on the mushroom - it will lead to its darkening and deterioration of its productivity.

The can is left at room temperature, so that direct sunlight does not reach it. In addition, it must be kept away from the window and the cold. This slows the growth of the fungus and worsens the quality of the drink.

Do not be afraid to breed a mushroom from the smallest piece of it. This zoogloea is growing rapidly. Separate the bottom layer from the lower part of the maternal fungus and place it in a prepared jar, pouring in the cooled sweet tea.

About three days the tea mushroom will not rise to the surface. This is quite a normal reaction. Then it will come up, and in a week the first portion of the drink will be ready. Due to the carbon dioxide contained in it, the resulting liquid will be slightly aerated.

Soon the fungus will reach a thickness of a few centimeters. Every 10 days on its surface another new layer is formed - a thin mucous membrane. To multiply the fungus, these layers are separated( usually 1-2) and transplanted into a new container.

Carefully follow the level of liquid in the can and pour in( 0.5 to 2 liters).If you suddenly forget about the tea fungus, the liquid can evaporate. This is not a very good phenomenon, but the zoogloea is very hardy, and it will not die. It is necessary to add sweet tea, as it will come to life again and will increase in size.

A tea mushroom is usually sweetened with a solution in the proportion of 2 tbsp.spoons of sugar and 2 teaspoons of tea for 3 liters of water.

Several more specific conditions for the preparation of this useful beverage should be observed.

Start two 3-liter cans. One must have a mushroom. In another you will pour out the drink, keeping it in the refrigerator. Dilute infusion every 5-7 days in winter, in summer do it more often, after 3 days, because it becomes warmer and the fungus is activated.

To maintain the optimal composition of kvass and acceptable taste properties, it is necessary to wash the mushroom with warm boiled water once a week. If you do not do this, then your mushroom grows. A drink that is not drained for a couple of weeks, acquires the qualities of vinegar. You can not drink it. In summer, rinse the mushroom with clean water after two weeks, in winter - about once a month.

A special sign of the unsuccessful state of the tea fungus is precisely its darkening. The upper film is browning. This means that the zoo is dying. So, she stayed in her infusion or you did not wash her properly. Warn the situation by spreading a new mushroom.

You can grow and multiply the kombucha in another way. It is not necessary to separate the new layers. Approximately 1 liter of 10-day infusion is removed to a warm place. A week later, a thin film forms. From it, and the zoolei of the tea mushroom is formed.

To taste, the resulting drink should be sweet and sour, refreshing. At all, not sharp, nor with pronounced alcoholic taste, nor tart. Otherwise, you either overdone it with sugar, or, conversely, put it less than you need. Maybe the welding was too strong or too weak. In addition, the taste of the drink depends on the duration of the fungus in it.

Since the incoming substances interact with food in your stomach, do not drink mushroom kvass immediately before meals, during it, or immediately afterwards, so that no mixing with food occurs. It is believed that after a dense dinner, if you ate fish, meat or poultry, it should take two or three hours, and after eating vegetables or fruits 1-2 hours. But if you overeat, then to eliminate the severity in the stomach, drink half a cup of tea mushroom infusion.

You can drink tea kvass in the morning and in the evening - twice a day. Morning reception performs a stimulating function, evening - calming, normalizing sleep.

Before drinking a normal mushroom kvass, it should be filtered, overflowing through cheesecloth folded in four layers. The most delicious is a drink, sustained during the week. Pour the drink into cans( or bottles), store them in a cool place. In the cooled form it will be more delicious.

Although for therapeutic purposes it is necessary to use only black tea, to satisfy special taste needs or in some cases, another kind of tea will do. For example, in green tea, more vitamins and caffeine, such a drink will be a real tonic. They can even rinse your mouth after eating, as it has a strong antibacterial effect.

You can add tea with bergamot or herbs, especially mint and oregano, for infusion of the drink. This has a calming effect on the nervous system. Sometimes honey is placed instead of sugar, as a result, you will enrich the resulting drink with additional trace elements, and the taste will be close to the kind of honey that you use.

Since many people are involved in the cultivation of the tea fungus, a lot of evidence is gathered that this organism as a whole is very unpretentious. Therefore, you should not have any special difficulties in caring for it.

So, the infusion of the tea fungus improves digestion, treats arthritis, has an antibacterial property, helps to lower blood pressure, stimulates the immune system. In addition, while being both useful and tasty, it diversifies the traditional and at times stingy set of drinks in your diet.

Therapeutic and cosmetic effect of the tea fungus

Once again, we list the cases when the infusion of the tea fungus has a preventive and sometimes even therapeutic effect:

liver disease,

In addition, the doctors who conducted the research believe that this infusion is appropriate to drink with tuberculosis. Supporting means, it also serves for diseases of the central nervous system.

For the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, as well as diseases of the gallbladder, the drink should be prepared by the above method and drink it regularly. Precisely the same prescription should be used in case of headache, insomnia, cardialgia.

Antibacterial effect of the tea fungus manifests itself in the treatment of the nasopharynx and oral cavity. To enhance the effect of the solution is slightly warmed up. Do it in enamel ware( not in aluminum and not galvanized!), But even better - in clay or glass. There are examples when the tea mushroom infusion, prepared in this way, was used in the treatment of angina for hourly rinsing. In such cases, water is added to the infusion in a proportion of 1:10.The same solution is washed with the nasal mucosa. In addition, mushroom kvass drink 2-3 glasses a day.

When stomatitis the mouth is rinsed every half hour.

For prevention of acute respiratory infections, 3 cups are also taken every day.

When inflammation of the eye mucosa or barley tea mushroom infusion, diluted in a ratio of 1: 20, dig in 2-3 drops several times a day.

When removing symptoms of a cold, gauze tampons soaked in such a solution of the tea fungus are also used. They are changed every half hour.

It is very useful also alcoholic tincture, prepared on a concentrated tea mushroom. To do this, take the most long-lasting( perhaps, for a month) infusion and add vodka to it in a 1: 4 ratio. Then, push the drink for 2 weeks, drain it, then store it in a dark, cold place. Drink this tincture of 1 teaspoon 3 times a day as a preventative remedy for cold symptoms.

In addition, from the tea fungus, a great home made vinegar is prepared. To do this, the mushroom is poured with boiled water, tea leaves and sugar syrup and allowed to stand for 3 weeks. Do not forget to rinse the mushroom periodically. Then pour the infusion into a saucepan, boil for about 40 minutes, filter through gauze and add citric acid. You will receive a product that can be used not only for cooking, but also for cosmetic purposes.

It should be said that the spectrum of cosmetic use of the tea fungus is quite wide. Having dissolved it in water, it is possible to wash out their fat hair. From it you can prepare a wonderful lotion for the care of porous oily skin, cleansing of acne and pustular lesions. To do this, pour a week-old solution of the fungus, moisten the fleece in it and wipe her face on the lines of skin. This procedure is desirable to perform twice a day - in the mornings and evenings. The skin condition will improve, and due to the antibacterial effect of the tea mushroom infusion, various kinds of eruptions and redness must pass, if, of course, they are not of an allergic nature.

From the infusion of the tea fungus, you can make a toning mask for any skin type. It is done so. First, cleanse your face and lubricate it with plenty of cream on a natural basis. Then put a lot of moistened in the solution of the tea mushroom on the face and squeezed out so that the liquid does not drain, gauze. Lie down, rest 20-30 minutes. When you finish the procedure, wash with cool boiled water.

Tea mushroom - natural cosmetic product

Tea mushroom infusion is a natural natural skin care product. It stimulates its excretory functions, improves blood circulation, smooths and tones up the skin. This product finds a surprisingly diverse cosmetic application, providing during many procedures simultaneously both therapeutic and cosmetic effects.

Skin and sweat, covering a thin layer of skin, create an acidic environment, which is unfavorable for many microorganisms that stimulate various skin diseases. Skin, which has a naturally acid reaction, thus fulfills an important protective function in relation to the whole organism.

The vast majority of varieties of soap breaks this protective shell of the skin, because it uses alkali. If the skin of the body or head you itch, it usually means that you used a detergent too strong and it changed the natural acidic reaction of the skin. When an acid is used as a detergent, the skin receives a natural product corresponding to its natural need.

Therefore, after washing with soap, it is very good to rinse or wipe the skin with infusion of a tea fungus of a monthly and even longer exposure. This infusion has established itself as an effective skin care product, thanks to which its acidic environment is restored. In addition, it is valuable in that it has a soft and very delicate effect on the skin.

To eliminate acne, you can add to the tea mushroom infusions lavender flowers( a handful of flowers on a glass of kvass) or lavender oil( in a volume similar to the volume of plants).Soak lotion for three weeks in a cold place, then strain. Wash and take a bath by adding this solution to the water.

A good cleanser is the tea mushroom infusion, aged for a month. This is a kind of scrub and lotion at the same time, which you can wipe the entire body. First, wash your body thoroughly with soap, then sate the infusion of the fungus. . Lie so for about ten minutes, then wash it off with clean water. After rubbing with infusion, you can make a massage, this will enhance its therapeutic and cosmetic effect.

It is not forbidden to add infusion when taking a bath( a cup of tea extract infusion for at least 2-3 weeks).Remain in the water for 20-30 minutes.

For the destruction of bacteria from the skin, you can wipe your armpits with gauze or a cotton cloth moistened with tea mushroom infusion. These very effective remedy for an unpleasant odor of sweat, preserving the skin's natural acidic environment.

You can clean your face in a different way. Wipe your face with cosmetic milk, rinse with warm water. Then, dampen the linen napkin thoroughly in the infusion of a 2-week old tea mushroom, squeeze it, put it on your face and cover it with a warm towel. Lie down for about ten minutes. After that, remove the napkin, wash your face with warm water and massage your skin vigorously.

Apply the tea mushroom infusion also for the treatment of the scalp. Rinse the hair with infusion of the tea mushroom after each washing of the head, and they will turn shiny. For oily hair, use a combination of fungus infusion with infusion of nettle leaves. Dried nettle leaves brew at the rate of 2 tbsp.spoons on a glass of water, mix the resulting solution with mushroom kvas in a 1: 1 ratio. After washing your head, moisten the skin with this infusion and massage it along the lines of hair growth. Rinsing hair with water after this is not necessary. If you are uncomfortable leaving the infusion unwashed, rinse them, but not earlier than in half an hour.

For the care of oily hair, you can also prepare another infusion: take 1 teaspoon of sage, rosemary, thyme and horsetail, brew half a glass of boiling water and mix with half a glass of infusion.

With brittle hair, nettle leaves, chamomile and mushroom infusion are taken in the same proportion.

In order for the hair to be thicker, try to look after them with mushroom kvass with the addition of dry grass agrimony( 2 tablespoons per half cup).

Helps infusion of tea fungus and for dandruff. Rub it into the skin after washing your head, hold for 20 minutes, and then rinse.

Similarly, you can wipe the tea mushroom infusion with hands, trunk, nails. This helps to improve their appearance and your overall well-being.

Contraindications

With increased acidity of the stomach, stomach ulcer is not recommended.