Kombucha America - Page 6 - History and Composition of Tea

It is thought that the Kombucha mushroom originated in China or the Middle East and spread via the caravan routes of trade. The first recorded mention of the tea was in China in the year 221 BC where it was known as "the Tea of Immortality".

It is possible that thousand of years ago someone made a batch of regular sugary tea and set it aside forgetting to drink it. During the period of days that it was forgotten some rare airborne bacterial and yeast spores took up residence in the tea. When the tea was tasted it was found to be very pleasant. After additional batches were made health benefits began to be noticed and its popularity quickly spread.

Other speculations offer that the Kombucha Mushroom is related to a birch-tree mushroom that is called Chaga. For hundreds of years a tea has been made from Chaga by the Russian peasants of the Alexandrove district near Moscow to cure them of cancer. Peasants from this area are reported to have no cancers in their communities.

Kombucha Mushroom tea has been known by many names in many cultures. The word Kombucha is its Japanese name. It may have been introduced to Japan by a Korean physician by the name of Kombu around 415 AD.

The tea's popularity, in the past, only seems to have waned when conflicts between nations made sugar and tea scarce.

It is recommend anyone who is interested in this remarkable lichen purchase from their local bookstore the book entitled "Kombucha Rediscovered" by Klaus Kaufmann. Some of the information given on this web site is information obtained from this book.

An extensive source of additional information can be found in the book written by Guenther W. Frank "The Fascination of Kombucha". Click Here to read an excerpt of information on Kombucha from his book.

The above mentioned books on Kombucha can be obtained from Amazon.com.

Some may wonder if the tea is so good for one's health why the medical profession or drug industry is not recommending or marketing it. One reason is that it takes tens of millions of dollars to scientifically test a product before it can be marketed by the medical industry. They are not willing to spend the money if they cannot see a dollar return on their investment.

Kombucha reproduces weekly, for free in your home, making it a poor candidate for a profitable return. Doctors often scoff at "home remedies", they often resist investigating anything new because they are encouraged to recommend only the profitable drugs promoted by the powerful pharmecutical industy.

Testimonial - Arthritis, Lung Disease: My dear mother's arthritis was so bad in her hands that she couldn't shake hands without extreme, severe pain. (especially during peace-time during mass where you turn to the people around you to exchange the sign of peace with a handshake and greeting.) But, after drinking K-tea for 2 months, her arthritis has completely disappeared! It is really all gone! She can grab your hand and give you a strong, healthy handshake now with a smile on her face instead of crying out in pain.

But, best of all, my husband's aunt was very sickly. Congestion was building up in her lungs to the point where she was on oxygen 24 hours a day! She could not take off the oxygen for 10 minutes without passing out! After drinking K-tea for 2 months, the doctors have taken her completely off the oxygen! She is free from that machine and oxygen hose having to follow her all through the house. The doctors tell her that her lungs are perfectly healthy and normal now, she is cured although they are amazed and cannot explain it! . . A.

Compostion of Kombucha:

Various Enzymes

Acetic acid - detoxifier

Carbonic acid - presents in blood aids in CO2 release and regulation of blood pH levels.

Folic Acid - a B vitamin, works with vitamin B12 in reducing homocysteine, a risk factor for heart disease. Supplementation may prevent, correct deficiencies caused by, or be helpful with, Aging, Cancer, Crohn's disease, Heart disease (atherosclerosis & hypercholesterolemia), Immunodepression (including AIDS & CFIDS), Memory loss (including Alzheimer's disease), Osteoporosis, Periodontal disease.

Gluconic acid - acts as a food preservative and is a product of the breakdown of glucose.

Glucuronic acid - Vital to detoxification of the body also produced by the healthy human liver. A precursor for mucopolysaccharide which helps in the prevention of the aging of skin tissue. There is a scientific dispute as to wheter or not Kombucha contains this acid or its precusors. Trying to understand this debate and who is right or wrong will give you a headache.

L(+) Lactic acid - detoxifier, assist blood circulation, helps prevent bowel decay and constipation. Aids in balancing acids and alkaline in the body and believed to help in the prevention of cancer by helping to regulate blood pH levels.

Usnic acid - inhibits viruses an anti-bacterial agent.

Amino acids (various) - anti-aging properties, aids in the body's production of Growth Hormone (GH). Hydroxy acids (various)

Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) - believed to aid in the prevention of arthritic conditions, atherosclerosis, cancer, free radical damage, skin aging, stroke, brain cell aging, and a immune system stimulant

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) - believed to aid in the prevention of allergies, arthritic conditions.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin, niacinamide) - believed to aid in prevention of arthritic conditions, hair loss and free radical damage. Aids in healing of skin tissue. Promotes sexual excitation and stamina, also used as a tranquilizer substitute in high doses.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) - believed to aid in the prevention of atherosclerosis, free radical damage, obesity, rheumatism, stroke, and promotes "sex flush" and orgasm.

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin, cyanocobalamin) - believed to aid in memory and learning functions.

Vitamin C (from Lactic acid) - numerous known health benefits, too many to list.