kombucha, anyone?

[wonko]

I'm on long-term antibiotics for Lyme disease & Co.  I end up needing to take "breaks" from treatment because I get a lot of stomach issues.  I switched to a no sugar and low-carb diet while on antibiotics, and drink water all day, and take probiotics.  But I still get stomach aches after eating and get constipated.

A friend suggested kombucha.  At the store, I found both refrigerated, already brewed and dry varieties.

Has anyone used this tea as part of their digestive health, and if so, any advice on dry. vs. brewed?  I don't go to the fancy health store often (or else I'd go broke!) so I bought both while there.

Thanks.

[peggy64]

thanks for explaining that......so far, it has not bothered my blood pressure. But I did not have a problem to start with. In fact, it was rather low due to the adrenal problem.

[Paxiled]

Licorice as an adaptogen for the adrenals is different than licorice used for the stomach -- they rely on different properties of licorice.  The problem with licorice on a regular basis is it can raise blood pressure.  Now, that's usually only a problem for somebody with a blood pressure problem, but it's always good to play it safe.  DGL removes the glycerrides (don't hold me to this spelling, please!) that raise blood pressure, making DGL safe for regular use.  It's generally put in an enteric coated gel cap and helps coat and repair the stomach lining and prevent overacidity.  Regular licorice will do that, too, but then you have the blood pressure problem.  So for the stomach and intestinal tract, DGL is generally recommended, while for the adrenals or for women's hormonal balancing or just chewing on to prevent cavities regular licorice is better.

[peggy64]

Pax, why would you recommend DGL, as opposed to licorice? I have been drinking a lot of licorice tea, mostly for the adrenals, and I have read that that process takes away the properties needed for adrenal therapy....Just wondering....

thanks..

[Paxiled]

I wouldn't recommend it for Lyme.  I don't personally believe kombucha is much more than a tonic, but it's a bacteria/yeast/ sugar combo that probably isn't the best thing because of the yeast problem.  For your stomach, I'd recommend aloe vera juice or DGL, and increased fiber.  And make sure your probiotic is a good one, is refrigerated, and contains bifidus along with the acidophilus; that's the organism most crucial for proper digestion.

[peggy64]

I bought some Yogi tea that had that in it. Hoping it would help my adrenal and thyroid problem.