With herbalist Deanna Gabriel CCH CN

What is kombucha tea?  

Kombucha tea is made from a colony of yeast and bacteria. Although the culture is often referred to as a mushroom it differs from familiar mushrooms in its form and replication.  Kombucha tea has been traced through recorded history for over 2000 years and has a variety of names such as Manchurian Tea, Fungus Japonicus, Volga-Spring, The Remedy for Immortality or The Divine Tsche . It seems to have its origins in the East, namely China, Japan, Manchuria, and Korea, and from these regions kombucha has spread throughout the world! The reason for kombucha’s longevity is the nourishing tea produced from this strange and wonderful culture. The kombucha tea is reported to contain a variety of acids such as glucuronic, acetic, and lactic, as well as a variety of live probiotic cultures.

What are some of the benefits to Kombucha?

Kombucha is a classic folk remedy. What that often means is that its benefits are widespread, offering relief from a number of ailments.  As with so many powerful folk remedies the knowledge of its healing power is best gained through experience.

It is thought that much of the healing power of Kombucha tea is gained from the presence of glucuronic acid. This acid assists the body in removing harmful or toxic substances. Glucuronic acid is found naturally in the liver of many animals, and it is reported that the additional dose of glucuronic acid found in Kombucha tea deepens the detoxification processes in the body.  Through this cleansing action many symptoms are relieved. Some examples are: arthritis, digestive complaints, edema, depressed immune function, skin irruptions, urinary tract inflammations, general fatigue, and many, many more!

 All of these nutrients play a variety of roles in maintaining optimal health in our bodies, such as detoxification, tissue regeneration, immune function and brain function. 

Kombucha also contains live bacteria and yeast that are beneficial to the digestive system. The varieties of bacteria and yeast found in kombucha can aide in digestion and assimilation of food. Harmful types of yeast and bacteria found in the gut begin to lose strength in the presence of the beneficial varieties allowing the digestive system to strengthen. A strong digestive system can lead to improved health throughout the body as the nutrients from food become more available to all systems.    

How much do I drink each day?

The answer to this question varies from source to source. The amount of tea that is appropriate for each person is dependant on the desired effect and on the needs of each individual’s body.  For a general health tonic 1-2 small glasses daily may be an effective dose. For those who desire and need deeper healing of digestion or other complaints drinking several glasses each day may be appropriate. It is a good idea to begin with smaller glasses of tea and increase to larger glasses as needed.  It is always important to check in with your body to see if the dose you are taking feels healthy and effective for you.

Is Kombucha safe for children? 

The general agreement is that there is little reason to hesitate when considering giving kombucha tea to children. It is suggested to give smaller doses to children, and possibly less frequent doses. Slow and cautious introduction is suggested to ensure the child is responding positively to the tea and more caution may be necessary with children under the age of 4.

How do I create my own Kombucha tea?

You can create your own Kombucha culture using a strong tea, this tea may or may not have a piece of the fleshy culture added. Your culture will form more quickly if you do have a piece of another culture in the jar, however this is not necessary.

Making a culture from Kombucha tea

1. Fill a jar with a strong Kombucha tea. The tea may have a piece of fleshy culture cut from another larger culture, or may just be tea with stringy membranes.
2. Cover the jar with cloth – cheese cloth or muslin cloth is ideal and fasten cloth with a rubber band.
3. Set jar in a space with low light (No Direct Sunlight Ever!) and relatively moderate, constant temperature 70-80 degrees. Allow mixture to sit undisturbed for about 2 weeks. You should observe a cloudy film growing on the surface of the tea at this point. Allow the tea to sit undisturbed until a thick white layer forms.
4. Once you have a white, not clear, layer of culture about ¼ inch thick follow tea brewing instructions below.

* A great commercial company to support is High Country Kombucha, www.hckombu.com  You can create a strong and healthy culture using a bottle of their Original Kombucha. Pour the tea into a jar and follow the above instructions!

Brewing Kombucha tea – follow these directions after your culture is formed

1. Begin with a starter culture. Place culture in a jar and fill jar about 15-25% full with already brewed kombucha tea. Jar sizes vary- quart, gallon or other, make sure you adjust the amount of tea to the jar size you are using. 

1. Make a strong black tea. To do this heat water to a boil and turn off stove, add 1-2 tablespoons of loose black tea per quart of water or use 1-2 teabags per quart, steep about 8-10 min.
2. Remove tea and add sugar to the tea, 3-4 oz by volume or about ½ cup per quart. Stir until sugar is dissolved and let the sweetened tea cool to room temperature, tea should not be warm to the touch.
3. Add this cool, sweet tea to the jar with your culture and brewed kombucha tea.
4.  Cover the lid of your container with cheese cloth or muslin cloth (cloth pie covers work great for many containers).  Allow mixture to stand for about 7 days in an area with low light and relatively moderate, constant temperature 70-80 degrees. The number of days for tea culturing will vary depending on the size of the culture, the temperature of the room and the desired strength of the tea (warmer temperatures cause tea to be created more quickly).
5. Once the tea is to the desired strength poor off tea, leave about 15% in the container. Bottle the tea in containers with secure lids. Place tea in refrigerator for storage.  Create the sweetened black tea, add to the culture and begin the process again!

Creative Kombucha Recipes

Culinary vinegar- use as a live vinegar for salad dressings, as a meat tenderizer, or in any recipe that calls for vinegar.

example – garden salad

1 tomato                             1/3 cup olive oil

1 small cucumber          rosemary leaves

1 bell pepper                                basil leaves

1/3 cup kombucha vinegar

Dice all veggies add herbs and cover with kombucha and olive oil.

As base for herbal preparations- cyclone cider, nourishing tinctures (try tincturing in the fridge to prevent culture growth.)

example – nourishing blend

alfalfa                  nettles

dandelion lf      comfrey lf

Place a heaping tbsp of each herb in a quart jar.  Fill jar with kombucha tea, leave a few inches of space for expansion, and cover with cloth. Leave the jar in a cool dark place for about 3 days, then remove cloth and secure jar lid. Put blend in fridge for 1-2 weeks. Strain and bottle. Store in fridge.

Create a facial toner

        1 part kombucha vinegar

1 part tea made from elder flower, rose, lavender – use equal parts of flowers

essential oils of rose, frankincense, lavender, carrot seed

Brew a strong tea of rose, elder flower and lavender. Add equal part of kombucha to cool herb tea, then add essential oil blend. Store in fridge to prevent culture growth or leave out and allow a new mother to form.

Sources:

www.ourbluemarble.us/Norbert/kombucha - great biology and chemistry research on kombucha.

http://www.kombu.de/english.htm

http://www.anahatabalance.com/index.html  - select about kombucha on left margin

http://www.seedsofhealth.co.uk/index.shtml – scroll down to the fermentation section and select kombucha.

http://www.happyherbalist.com/index.asp -  scroll down to library and select kombucha cautions and tips – great photos of cultures.

Common Herbs for Common Ailments

By Katie Browning CH

Below are some common herbs used in herbal medicine. The use of each herb stretches far beyond the descriptions given; however, these short lists can give you a basic idea for how to begin using some of our common plant allies!

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla): a wonderfully gentle herb, traditionally known as safe for children. Chamomile is great for calming and soothing nervous or anxious conditions. This herb is also wonderful for soothing an irritated digestive system.

Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia or purpurea): a powerful immune herb! Echinacea really shines in its use for infected wounds, snake and spider bites, and septic conditions. This herb can also be helpful in boosting the immune system during acute infectious illness.

Elder flowers and berries (Sambucus nigra): this beautiful tree gives us some of the most powerful and gentle medicine around! The flowers of the Elder tree are wonderful for helping reduce fevers and soothing the body during respiratory infections, colds and flu. The berries are a wonderful addition to any tea during viral infections. Their nutritive content gives the body a vital boost.

Lavender (Lavendula officinalis): this herb is most known for its ability to relax and sooth nervous conditions. Drinking tea with a little pinch of lavender can be extremely relaxing during stressful times. Even smelling the flowers can calm the nerves and help with relaxation! The oil of lavender can sooth and heal burns, skin inflammations or bug bites.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis): lovingly known to some as Melissa, this herb is a great aide for digestive issues with cramping and bloating. Melissa is a wonderful herb for soothing the nervous system and brightening energy and moods!

Nettles (Urtica diocia): one of the premier nourishing herbs! Nettles are rich in minerals and can give a vital boost to your energy by giving your body some much needed nourishment. When the body is given its basic tools through nutrition it is extremely skilled at healing and cleansing!

Osha (Ligusticum porteri): this powerful mountain plant is wonderful when used for ailments of the respiratory system. Osha is useful for moving congestion out of the lungs, opening the lungs for deeper breathing and soothing inflamed tissues in the throat. Osha can also stimulate and improve digestion. The harvesting pressures on Osha make it extremely important to obtain these roots from reputable source!

Raspberry (Rhubus sp.): the leaves from this well known plant are extremely nourishing to our bodies! Raspberry leaves are rich with minerals, making them a wonderful addition to a variety of herbal formulas. This plant also has a rich history in women’s health, helping to strengthen reproductive organs.

Roses (Rosa sp.): these beautiful flowers have many uses in herbal medicine! Their astringent nature is helpful for clearing heat and swelling throughout the body. The flowers are wonderful for soothing an aching heart and bringing a calm, relaxed state. The fruit of the rose, rosehips, are rich in vitamin c and other nutrients.

Yarrow (Achellia millifolium): this is a plant with a rich magical history! Stories of its use date back to the times of Achilles, who reportedly used the herb to heal his soldier’s battle wounds. Yarrow is cooling and can assist in bringing relief from fever. Also a great first aide herb, yarrow can help astringe bleeding wounds.

Dandelion

Dandelion

On any lawn, you’re apt to find
A weed that grows called Dandelion
Its roots and leaves are known to cure
To heal the liver, make blood pure
And it is true that Taraxacum
Is also full of potassium
In case you need to diurese
It’s powerful and works with ease
It will not leave you all deplete
Of minerals, it is replete
So, should your liver start to ail
The flow of bile begin to fail
If you’ve a case of flatulence
A loss of appetite perchance?
The bitter herb from root and leaf
Will surely bring you some relief
Improve digestion, stimulate
Relieve congestion, eliminate
Kidneys, liver, stomach, spleen
This common weed does wonders keen
The bitter cool of root and herb
Will on your system work superb.

~excerpt from, Botanica Poetica

by Sylvia Seroussi Chatroux.

Ahhh, nothing says spring like those beautiful earthbound sunbursts glowing joyfully in the grass! When you mention spring many of our minds wander to this beautiful and powerful plant with its nourishing, stimulating and cleansing properties. Many spring tonic herbal teas will include both the leaf and root; and many spring green mixes incorporate the fresh leaves of the Dandelion. The use of Dandelion for food and medicine has a long history, and the plant has befriended many humans with its gentle yet profound healing abilities. As with most great beings there is more than a bit of controversy in the history of our friend Dandelion. The replication ability of this herb is quite powerful. Lawn owners all across the world declare war on this persistent plant, if only they could experience the deep support held within those leaves and roots! I once attended a lecture by herbalist Cascade Anderson Gellar, she pointed out the strength of spirit contained in the Dandelion – a paraphrase, “spray them with poison chemicals, pull them out by the root, curse them, step on them, whatever – they still come back, perhaps a bit deformed with two heads, but they still grow.” You have to admit the Dandelion does have an insatiable hunger for life, seems that we could all take a lesson from this gentle, sunny friend. It seems that humans and the Dandelion are destine to be together! So if you find your spade wandering in the direction of a Dandelion, remember its deep drive for life and health and either let him grow or save that harvested Dandelion for some herbal rejuvenation!

Materia Medica Info

Habitat and growth: Found wild in most parts of the world. Grows from spring to fall.

Parts used: Leaf, root and flower

Medicinal uses: (leaves) used as a nourishing diuretic, known to encourage loss of excess water without depleting the body of potassium. Bitter flavor makes it useful for encouraging the digestive system by strengthening functions of liver and gallbladder. (roots) Also act on liver and gallbladder, roots are known to be extremely detoxifying. Encouraging the natural cleansing abilities of the liver and urinary system.

Flower essence: Dandelion flower essence is used to sooth emotions held in the musculature of the body. Wonderful essence to ease stress or to enhance physical therapies.

Tea Recipe

Spring Tonic Tea

Dandelion leaf 1tbsp dried or handful fresh

Nettle leaf 1tbsp dried

Alfalfa leaf 1tbsp dried

Spearmint leaf 1tbsp dried

Marshmallow rt ½ tbsp dried

Place all herbs in a quart jar or tea press. Cover with hot water and let steep until room temperature, 4hrs to overnight. This long steep will allow more nutrients to be released into the tea. Strain and drink 1- 3 cups daily as a nourishing spring tonic!

Dandelion Wine

1. Harvest fresh flowers, leaves and roots (make sure the plants and the harvest location have not been sprayed with any chemical fertilizers or weed killers)

2.Place freshly harvested plants in a quart mason jar, fill jar about ½ -¾ full of dandelion parts and cover with your favorite white wine (fill jar with about 2 inches of room at the top for expansion of plant material). Shake daily for 2-4 weeks, making sure that all plant material is completely covered with wine. Strain and sip a small glass daily as a relaxing tonic!

Reishi Mushroom

Reishi Mushroom, Ganoderma spp. – A Magical Healer

By Deanna Gabriel CCH, CN

Parts used: mushroom

Medicinal uses: Reishi mushrooms can be considered a panacea plant, meaning that they can play a part in healing a wide variety of ailments. These mushrooms work deeply with the immune system and the blood, helping to strengthen the body as a whole and balance various aspects of immunity. Because the immune system is intimately tied into every aspect of health, these mushrooms can be useful for a wide variety of ailments such as allergies, colds and flu, eczema and psoriasis. Reishi mushrooms also have a history of use in conditions such as auto-immune disease, cancer, hepatic ailments, hypertension, heart disease, head injuries and degenerative diseases.

Reishi mushrooms play a powerful role in spiritual healing. These fungi bring the energy of re-birth and rejuvenation and the complete life cycle – birth, life, death, birth. This medicine can be extremely helpful in times of transition and growth. Deeply grounding, these mushrooms help an individual touch the soul light from the deepest reaches of their existence, allowing that light to shine out to the surface of their being.

For a deeper look into the healing qualities of reishi mushrooms join us for the Spirit of the Reishi class on Tuesday, January 27!

Making a Reishi brew:

My favorite way to take Reishi mushrooms is in long, slow decoction, the medicine appears strongest when decocted at a low temperature for about 12-36 hours. The easiest way to accomplish this is to use a crock-pot or slow cooker.

Complete Immune Tonic

2-3 medium to large Reishi mushrooms

1 oz Codonopsis

1oz Astragalus – omit if making tea for acute illness

1 oz Ashwagandha

Dash of cayenne

For cases of acute colds and flu add 2-3 cloves freshly chopped garlic to strained tea and drink garlic pieces with tea. Add spoonful of honey if desired.

Place all herbs in a 6 quart crock-pot. Fill pot with water. Place the lid on crock-pot and turn to low setting and heat for 24 hrs. Check the water level in the pot after about 8 hours, the water level will decrease slightly from absorption and evaporation, add enough water to re-fill. Remove the mushrooms from the pot and strain out any other herbs. Store tea in the refrigerator and heat each cup before drinking. Sip 2-3 cups daily until batch is gone.