kombucha paranoia

[littlehawksmom]

I love how kombucha makes me feel and I enjoy brewing it.

I came across this:

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

As far as I can tell, this guy knows his fungi.

I just don't know what to make of it. I was supposed to have learned this at my grandmother's knee...

Any thoughts?

[quietserena]

A quote from the article:

Unwittingly, I had been drawn into servitude to the Blob.



What part makes you paranoid? The mold? I am not a kombucha brewer (nursing) but from what I can tell, if you have mold it's pretty obvious (fuzzy and black or green or pink on your scoby) and all sources tell you to pitch that batch and start over. That's why it's a good idea to have a backup scoby.

I'm sure someone else will come along and explain better.

[newcastlemama]

I have read some articles like this one. What I think is funny about these author's is that they have probably had soda and other junk their whole lives without really thinking about it's "safety" KWIM?

Some of the claims, such as hair growth and removal of wrinkles, seem to appeal to one's vanity. Other claims, such as curing stomach and intestinal disorders, are interesting but undocumented. Those who might benefit from Kombucha need a credible and experienced professional who could best prescribe and administer it. I do not see the advantage of taking Kombucha by people in good health. Given the detrimental effects seen from prolonged exposure to antibiotics, the repeated, long term use of Kombucha may cause its own universe of problems. I wonder about those people who have adverse reactions to antibiotics? What about those with sensitivity to the microorganisms in Kombucha? I personally believe it is morally reprehensible to pass on this colony to sick or healthy friends when, to date, so little is known about its proper use. At present there are no credible, recent studies as to the safety or usefulness of Kombucha, despite decades of hype.

Bolds mine....This person seems a little exterme. SHould we make KT a contolled substance now?! What about maintainng health instead of just drinking it when sick. About the "senstivity to microorganisms"--if you are sensitive to a food-don't eat it! About KT containing antibiotics--As far as I know there are foods that are natural antobiotics including raw honey and garlic.

I agree that we should be careful when brewing anything and follow "when in doubt, throw it out." I generally think it should be enjoyed in moderation. I imagine it could cause a problem if one got all excited after reading about it's health enhancing aspects and started drinking a gallon a day.

Reading Wild Fermentation helped me feel safer about concumer my ferments. We need to find some articles about the original KT drinkers. http://www.westonaprice.org/foodfeatures/kvass.htm

Some people claim that kombucha is not safe, but when reasonable care is taken, "you’re more likely to find contamination in a cup of coffee than in a cup of properly prepared kombucha," according to Dr. Samuel Page of the FDA. Of course, if the kombucha develops mold, you should not drink it—just as you would not consume any food that developed mold.

Jen

[Nan'sMom]

Not much to add but I wanted to subscribe. We don't drink kombucha since I'm nursing and dh is grossed by the thought of the scoby (although maybe willing to try if I try it when we stop nursing). The article was interesting but I wouldn't steer clear of Kombucha just for the reasons he brings up. I guess I'll try to get a copy of Wild Fermentation!

[Taedareth]

Here are some pictures of scoby mold. It's pretty obvious when you have it: http://www.kombuchatea.co.uk/kombuch...ture.asp#Mould

Oh btw, I'm nursing a 15 mo and drink a couple pints of kombucha daily. No problems here. DS drinks kt in his sippy cup, as well.

[MaryCeleste]

I noticed that the author, Paul Stamets, is a colleague/crony of Dr. Andrew Weil. Let me just say that my opinion of Weil is, well... So I wouldn't take this guy too seriously either.

That said, we don't do kombucha anymore, because it didn't seem to be doing us any good, and DH was sick of having SCOBYs all over the kitchen. I know a lot of people swear by it, but IMO it's not for everyone.

[Leilalu]

Oh geez, that guy just bugs me.
I mean, can you get to the point ALREADY?! Come on....you are NOT funny!
I hate articles that beat around the bush, can you tell?

[Tcarwyn]

oh..THE andrew weil?...ugh!

We are not too crazy about kt either. I make it but it almost never gets finished. I like the stuff from the hfs, but my home made kt...i just dont know. I love water kefir though...

Tanya

[Taedareth]

In short, if you are dying from an illness not currently treatable with antibiotics, pure, uncontaminated cultures of Kombucha may help you. Otherwise, I think the danger of misuse should be a prevailing concern for us all.

He thinks kombucha is suitable only for terminally ill patients, to whom modern medicine can offer no hope of survival?