Kombucha X-post in general

[BoobySnacks]

I am just about to take a starter mushroom as soon as I get my glass tea pot from ebay and start using Kombucha tea again. Does anyone have any tips on how to properly brew it and store it and some of the benefits? I have researched, but I would like to know from people who use it themselves of the benefits they have noticed.

DH and I tried it years back when we were first living together, but we did not keep up with it. Now, I would like to again since I have been reading up on the health benefits.

Also, how often do you drink it and in what amounts? When we first tried it, we were only taking a tiny glass in the morning, but now I am finding out that it is beneficial to drink it a couple of times per day.

[JudyJudyJudy]

From what I've read about it, I don't see how it can possibly be healthy. There are so many potential problems with it. Based on the ingredients and how it is made, I'm sure that I'd end up in the hospital at the very least if I consumed it.

Are you still breastfeeding?

[Bellaelle]

what is it? judy,what problems are there?

[JudyJudyJudy]

It starts with a yeast and bacteria colony and is then fermented with sugar and either black or green tea. Besides other potential issues mentioned in the last link, people have to be careful because it can become contaminated with mold.

This tells you more about it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kombucha

This tells about some illnesses and one death that were most likely caused by Kombucha:

http://www.cdc.gov/MMWR/preview/mmwrhtml/00039742.htm

[BoobySnacks]

Yes, I am still breastfeeding.

I have not heard of any potential problems with it other than bacteria that can be avoided with good sanitary measures. I have used this before years ago with no ill-effects, but we did not keep up on it.

I cannot find any information regarding breastfeeding and kombucha tea, which is what brings me to this post. I have yet to find a good herbalist/homeopath here in town and I know there are a lot of moms in this forum that are all natural, so I thought it would be a good place to post and see if I can find practical information from moms who have used this. Of course, I want to be safe considering I am still breastfeeding.

[JudyJudyJudy]

Booby, only you can make the decision, but I truly wouldn't take the chance while breastfeeding. If you want to take the chance with your own body, that's one thing, but taking the chance with your baby isn't worth it.

Yeast, fungi, and mold are becoming more common allergens, so one potential problem is setting your baby up for a lifetime of allergies. Other potential problems which you already know about are getting food poisoning. Also, apparently it can screw up your pH balance. It has to be acidic to keep mold and such from growing, and based on the CDC article, it seems that it can make one's body be too acidic; that can be very dangerous.

At this point in time I'm more in favor of natural/alternative treatments than conventional, but while breastfeeding, I'd be really cautious with something like this. It's just not worth it.

[BoobySnacks]

I just finished checking out the links provided and am going to further study them in the morning. Thank you for the information! This is exactly what I want because I want to gather all of the information I can before deciding if or when I should use it. I am interested in using it again and would like to, but I need to make sure I am educated. You are right about not taking chances while breastfeeding. It is probably best to wait. Thanks again.

[JudyJudyJudy]

Here is one more article that you might find interesting. It was written by a well-respected mycologist who is big in the field of edible and medicinal mushroom cultivation.

http://www.fungi.com/info/articles/blob.html

[Sashahomeschoolmama]

I'm really lazy with my kombucha. I drink a little every few days or so. I'm the only one who likes it, although I think my youngest would if he would try it. But I'm the family tea drinker.

When it's brewing I keep it in the pantry, covered with a coffee filter rubber-banded on a Mason jar. Otherwise I keep both mother(s) and tea in separate glass jars in the fridge.