Kombucha is a health or medicative drink made by fermenting tea from a mass of microorganisms called kombucha culture or mushroom. The kombucha culture is a symbiosis of acetic acid bacteria and yeast. The culture looks like a large white pancake in itself. It often referred to as a mushroom, as a “mother of vinegar” or by the acronym SCOBY which means “Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast”. In science although, it is classified as a zoogleal mat.
Kombucha becomes, kombucha tea, when the kombucha culture is combined with a food source, in most cases tea such as green tea or black tea, and a sugar source, in most cases white cane sugar. Over time the culture will ferment by converting the tea into nitrogen and sugar into glucose and then organic acids and a small amount of alcohol and acetic acid (which helps with the natural preservation of the kombucha tea)
The Kombucha culture feeds on sugar and then produces valuable substances such as glucuronic acid, glucon acid, lactic acid, amino acids, and vitamins. The resulting drink is well known for its health benefits.
The History of Kombucha
Kombucha was first discovered from China on 221 BC during the reign of the Tsin Dynasty. Originally, it was called “The Tea of Immortality”. Its name, however, came from Japan on 415 AD. The term was coined when a Korean physicial called Kombu treated Emperor Inyko with the tea or “cha”. It also has been a long tradition of Russia to use a healing drink called “Tea Kvass” made from a “Japanese Mushroom”. Again, don’t be confused as this is different from kombucha and not the stuff they sell in the stores now commercially.
From Russia, the tradition spread to nearby countries such as Prussia, Poland, Germany, and Denmark. It seems to have vanished during the Second World War until it was used in Germany to treat cancer patients, metabolic disorders, high blood pressure and diabetes.
There is so much reported and advertised regarding the health benefits of kombucha, that many people have a hard time either believing it because it seems almost too good to be true. The truth in the matter is that there has been very little scientific studies done withing the United States, because it has always been known as a home remedy. This is very similar to the “Chicken Soup” as medicine. It was only within the last 10 years or so that there has been official studies performed on Chicken soup, (in which they DID find it to be beneficial for fighting the common cold).. but really, every mother in America knew this for centuries! It is my opinion that kombucha will eventually garner the same attention to the scientific community to support all the personal testimonies of healing. These personal experiences are not limited to: cancer treatment, HIV treatment, healthier looking hair and skin, weight loss, allergies, better digestion, and an overall experience of well being
