Milk and Honey Organics

Health food stores. They make you feel… healthy. Right? Well sure, when you are taking in the glorious sight of organic fruits and vegetables, fresh meat and cheese, mmm. Very yummy, very healthy. But as for some of the other products found in these stores, I just feel confused, not to mention a little panic stricken when I read a box or bottle that claims to contain THE PRODUCT that I need to restore perfect balance and vitality to my life. So what is it with all this weird strange so-called healthy stuff that I keep seeing and yet still know nothing about? To get this blog kicked off, we are going to present a series of articles that will attempt to take the mystery out of at least a few of these products and find out what they could potentially do for you and your family.

Weird Healthy Stuff: Kombucha

So, kombucha drinkers around the world have reported a massive list of ailments and sicknesses which have responded positively to drinking kombucha on a regular basis.The secret of kombucha is not that it ‘cures’ a multitude of illnesses but, that it boosts your body’s own system to fight those sicknesses.It does have various components, which on their own fight problems, but its probiotic properties are what make kombucha tea so extraordinary.What is kombucha? The recorded history of this drink dates back to the Qin Dynasty in China (around 250 BC). The Chinese called it the “Immortal Health Elixir,” because they believed Kombucha balanced the Middle Qi (spleen and stomach) and aided in digestion, allowing the body to focus on healing. In the modern day, we recognize this to be true due to the small amounts of glucuronic acid present in kombucha. Glucuronic acid is not readily commericially synthesized, but the healthy human liver makes large amounts of it to detoxify the body. In the liver the glucuronic acid binds up all poisons and toxins and rushes them to the excretory system, where they cannot be reabsorbed into our bodies. When the body must deal with a superabundance of toxins from the environment—certainly the case with most of us today—additional glucuronic acid taken in the form of kombucha is said to be a powerful aid to the body’s natural cleansing process, a boost to the immune system, and protection against cancer and other degenerative diseases. In contrast to common sodas, juices, and other highly caffeinated or sugared modern beverages, kombucha certainly is a refreshing and detoxifying alternative that may be the “Immortal Health Elixir” that traditional peoples believed it to be.

So what does it taste like?

Kombucha is made from water, sugar, tea, and the kombucha culture, which is a symbiotic colony of yeast and bacteria. The results of this concoction yield an acidic, both slightly sweet and sour beverage that no longer truly tastes like tea. Personally, it reminds me of a strong, vinegary ginger ale and is very refreshing. Many commercially produced kombucha drinks offer different flavors—try cranberry, gingerberry, or red peach flavored kombucha.

However it is interesting to note that some find their homemade kombucha much more tasty than store brands.

Homemade?

Oh yes. Kombucha is very easy to make yourself at home, requires little time, money, or effort, and makes a great project for the family to watch “grow.” For the most complete brewing guide available online take a look at Happy Herbalist’s instructions.

You can buy a complete kit to get started.

A variety of starter kits at Happy Herbalist

Herbal Remedies

Supplies sold separately or together at Kombucha 2000

Last but not least… Start off drinking kombucha a little at a time. Some people can have an allergic reaction to kombucha or may experience side effects if they overdrink. We recommend starting off with a half glass a day (4 oz.) and then increasing consumption as you feel is necessary.