In oriental medicine Kombucha was known before our era. Chinese doctors called it the elixir of health and immortality, since it was believed that it helps the chi energy to move in the right direction and restores the process of digestion. In Japan, he has also been known for a long time called "Kombucha." Kombucha is a waste product of two living in symbiosis (living, which brings benefits to both members) organisms: yeast and acetic acid bacteria. This mucous layered formation which is located on the surface and growing medium. Mushroom bank becomes circular in appearance it resembles a felt.

The surface of the mushroom is firm, smooth, the bottom is hanging down with fungus filaments resembling seaweed - is the sprout area, due to which there is an increase of the fungus.

The nutrient medium for tea fungus can be any sweet solutions (e.g., tea). Yeast fungi cause in medium sweet fermentation process (the drink becomes slightly fizzy), which resulted in the formation of ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide. Then, the process of joining carbonic bacteria, they convert the alcohol to acetic acid - solution turned sour taste. As a result of these reactions, a slightly carbonated pleasant taste sweet and sour drink. In Russia, for nearly a hundred years this drink is used instead of kvass.

The healing properties of tea fungus

In the middle of the last century, the German scientist R.Sklener studied the healing properties of tea fungus, which has led to a surge in his popularity in Europe.

It has been found that the beverage made based Kombucha, improves digestion, has antibacterial properties. It is necessary for the body comprises organic acids (lactic, malic, citric, acetic, etc.), enzymes, vitamins B B vitamins: the body useful helpers , Ascorbic acid, caffeine.

The antibacterial properties of the infusion of tea fungus used to rinse with a variety of infections in the oral cavity (inflammation of the gums, oral mucosa). The course of treatment (about a month) this infusion leads to lower blood pressure Blood pressure - dangerous if his swing? And the regular use of it activates the general condition of the elderly. When dysbacterioses beverage Kombucha acidifies the intestinal contents, creating a favorable environment for the development of normal microflora, normalizes stools with constipation Constipation - Watch out for food . The drink of tea fungus is able to restore metabolic processes in the body, without causing side effects.

How to prepare a drink from the tea fungus

The drink of tea fungus can be prepared in the following manner .  Tea brewed rather weak, the rate of - a teaspoon per liter of boiling water, add two tablespoons of sugar, bring to a boil, filtered and poured into a glass jar thoroughly cleaned and cooled .  Mushroom thickness of about 1 cm (separated from the lower layers of the parent fungus) was thoroughly washed and immersed in a jar of tea .  Most likely, the fungus first sink to the bottom, but eventually rise (gas is released, which raises the mushroom) and begin to grow .  Bank does not need to close the lid, so that it does not leak dust cover hole better than several layers of cheesecloth .  The drink will be ready in a few days (about a week), the criterion is the degree of readiness of beverage carbonation it: drink should foam when pouring into the glass like a regular soft drink .  Pour the drink should be through cheesecloth, straining his .  The gauze must be changed daily, and drink stored in the dark .

Flask of tea fungus can be prepared not only for black tea. You can use other extracts, such as green tea (there are a lot of caffeine and so it would be better to tone), various herbs - a delicious drink is obtained by using herbal teas of mint Mint and its useful properties: aromatic freshness , Chamomile, lemon balm, etc. Instead of sugar in a drink, you can add honey.

How to care for the Kombucha

To care for mushrooms. To do this at least once a month it is necessary to get out of the jar, rinse, remove the lower layers, if the thickness of the fungus exceed 4 cm. The amount of used fluid must always be restored by slabozavarennogo tea with sugar (do not forget to cool down before you pour in the jar !). In no case can not add unboiled water: thus formed insoluble salts that fall to the bottom of the can. Sugar directly brew not added - it must be previously dissolved in the tea. If the tea is too strong, the large amount of tannins will inhibit the growth of fungus.

If the fungus does not wash and do not use the solution, then over time the liquid begins to evaporate, and the mushroom turns brown on top. This suggests that the fungus will soon die. But if you get it, wash and separate the extra layers, it can recover livelihoods.

Features of reception drink Kombucha

Despite the fact that the drink of tea fungus has a positive effect on digestion, it is not necessary to take people with high acidity of gastric juice, with gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, severe liver and kidney dysfunction of these organs.

Take half a cup of drink should be three times a day, preferably after a meal: it will improve digestion, without causing irritation of the gastric mucosa.

The drink of tea fungus is definitely good for your health if taken in moderation and always keep in order.

  Galina Romanenko

Sophora japonica - is a deciduous tree of the legume family, which reaches 25 meters in height. It's time to Sophora flowering occurs at the end of the summer, and its fruit ripens in October and are located on the tree all winter. Sophora japonica is resistant to drought, saline soils, it is capable of transferring small frosts. Chinese healers have long used Sophora medicinal purposes: to relieve fever, dry moisture, gases and get rid of intestinal parasites. Therefore Sophora japonica drugs used for the treatment of dysentery and jaundice, swelling and dysuria and pruritus and eczema.

For the preparation of medicines used flowers and fruits of Sophora containing isoflavone and flavonoid glycosides, in particular routines. Ruthin restores and tightens the vascular wall, making it more elastic, and remove organic deposits from the walls of capillaries. Therefore, routine in combination with ascorbic acid is prescribed for diseases that are accompanied by a violation of vascular permeability, with hemorrhagic vasculitis, capillary toxicosis and thrombocytopenia, as well as hemorrhagic diathesis, hemorrhages in the retina, capillary toxicosis, radiation sickness, bacterial endocarditis, rheumatism, glomerulonephritis, hypertension diseases, allergic diseases, measles Measles in children - may cause serious complications , Scarlet fever, typhus.

Among the indications for use of Sophora japonica as psoriasis, lupus, hypertension, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, kidney disease, ulcerative colitis, cancer of the throat, nose, throat, periodontal disease, thrombophlebitis, hemorrhoids, fungus, eczema, breast Breast - the mirror Women's Health , Uterine and prostate.

The active ingredients in the composition of Sophora japonica

Matrine and oxymatrine compound similar to it - the main active substances as part of the root of Sophora. It alkaloids, and they make up about 2% of the dry and about 1% of the fresh root of Sophora. As part of the plant is also present dozens of other alkaloids, but in relatively small amounts.

Properly prepared decoction of the roots of Sophora contains 60-300 mg of the main alkaloids in the 3-15 grams of dried flowers or roots. Traditional medicine recommends taking a decoction of 30 grams of Sophora per day, divided into two or more receptions.

Unlike many other plant alkaloids, which are used in medical practice, matrine and oxymatrine have very low toxicity and their adverse effects on the central nervous system is negligible. In general, Sophora has a sedative effect on the central nervous system. Thus, clinical studies showed that the syrup containing 10 grams of Sophora root extract (about 200 mg of alkaloids), which effectively helps to prevent insomnia and can sometimes even replace the previously used drugs sedatives.

Side effects

Side effects are minor Sophora. If you exceed the recommended dose may be side effects from the gastrointestinal tract: nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, constipation; in rare cases, dizziness, hair loss and rash. If you take less than 30 grams a day Sophora drugs, side effects are not observed.

Typical dosage formulations Sophora 300-600 mg a day (at 2% of alkaloids, which corresponds to the root of 15-30 grams per day), although in some instances, the higher dose (e.g., in one study the dose for the treatment of arrhythmia was gradually raised to 1000 -1500 mg three times a day). Adverse reactions to alkaloids are rarely observed. When the drug is administered intravenously, it can be a pain at the injection site, but it is quite common. For oral application may occur by the reaction of the digestive tract (e.g., nausea). In the case of very high doses of oxymatrine can inhibit the function of the immune system, which is associated with increased levels of calcium in lymphocytes.

Contraindications preparations Sophora japonica are individual intolerance, pregnancy and lactation, and age 14 years. Treatment should be under the supervision of a doctor and avoid overdose, as the plant is very poisonous.

What it is and where it grows Sophora japonica

Sophora japonica - a tree up to 20 m with a greenish-gray, short-pubescent shoots, belongs to the family of legumes. Bark gray tree trunks covered with cracks and fissures. Leaves over 20 cm long, with a few pairs of leaflets. Leaflets are oval in shape, bottom covered with whitish hairs, and on top - a dark, smooth and shiny. Small cream flowers gathered in panicles and have a strong pleasant odor. Fruits - large pods with beaded bare beans, first green, then brown, do not fall and winter. Blooms in July-August, the fruits ripen in October-November. As a medicinal plant harvested in summer flowers in early autumn - unripe fruits, breaking off the top with flowers or fruits. Dried in the shade under the eaves, in the draft, store in a dry place.

It grows in Japan and China. As an ornamental plant Sophora japonica is grown in the Caucasus, in southern Ukraine, in Central Asia. The tree is drought tolerant, but is afraid of wind and frost.

The chemical composition and medicinal properties

The chemical composition of Sophora japonica is not fully understood, but it is known that in the bud and beans Sophora japonica contains a complex of biologically active substances, including rutin - an organic compound having vitamin activity. Rutin strengthens capillary walls by regulating their permeability; It enhances the effect of ascorbic acid.

Medicines derived from Sophora japonica, reduced flexibility (i.e. lower brittleness) of blood vessels, purified them walls of various kinds of sediments (including the cholesterol plaques), normalizes metabolism, thereby reducing the level of cholesterol and blood glucose soothe, normalize blood pressure. The reduced blood flow is the prevention of stroke, myocardial infarction and vascular impairment. Furthermore, Sophora japonica normalizes immune processes, including reducing allergy phenomena.

Indications, contraindications for receiving the Sophora japonica, and the side effects that may arise out of its application

Medications from Sophora japonica are used both internally and externally. Inside (in the form of infusions and tinctures) Sophora japonica appointed:

• with increased permeability of small blood vessels (capillaries) and a tendency to bleeding usually in combination with ascorbic acid;
• with hemorrhages in the retina of the eye;
• when radiation effects - rises immunity;
• rheumatism - decreases swelling of the joints;
• in infectious and allergic diseases of the kidneys (glomerulonephritis), in which the protein lost in the urine and red blood cells - red blood cells;
• for hypertension - prevents swelling and reduces blood pressure;
• allergic diseases - reduces allergic reactions;
• colitis (inflammation of the colon) - decreases swelling of tissues;
• metabolic disorders (eg, diabetes, in which the affected small blood vessels);
• under certain childhood infections, accompanied by swelling and rashes on the skin (eg, measles);
• when blood disorders associated with increased capillary fragility.

Outwardly Sophora japonica is used in the form of infusions and tinctures in the form of irrigation, washing and wet dressings with festering wounds, burns and ulcers, nonhealing, as well as for gargling in inflammatory processes in the throat and tonsils.

Contraindications for receiving drugs from Sophora japonica is an idiosyncrasy of this plant, pregnancy and lactation Breast-feeding: feed - and no nails!   child.

Side effects of the application of Sophora japonica can manifest as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

How to cook the drug on the basis of Sophora japonica

On the basis of Sophora japonica in the home, you can prepare the infusion, and the infusion:

• tincture of fruits or flowers Sophora japonica: a tablespoon of minced raw pour half a glass of vodka, insist 10 days in a dark place, filter and take the inside of 30-40 drops three times daily after meals; For external use, an aqueous solution infusion (2 teaspoons of tincture dissolved in 90 ml of water), which was washed with sores or used for gargling.
• infusion Sophora japonica flowers: half tablespoon dried minced raw pour a glass of boiled water, half an hour to insist on a water bath Sauna and health: the benefits and harms of bath procedures , Drain, refill to the original level and ingest a quarter cup three times a day after meals.

If used wisely Sophora japonica (that is prescribed by a doctor), it will certainly benefit.