Re: Dry feet

March 8, 2006

Drinking it would work fine; he might get an acid burn if he soaks his feet

in undiluted KT because it's pretty acidic - I've done it.

He could either dilute the KT or take a hydrogen peroxide bath of 1 pint

peroxide to 1 gallon of water - soak for a half an hour and it won't burn

his feet.

Dry feet

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I've been making Kombucha on and off for the last 12 years. I got

> the first batch from an elderly gentleman that used to come to the

> wine bar I worked at and everyone thought I was nuts when I began

> brewing it. (I'm in California). I found this site a while back but

> didn't register until recently. I've been lurking here for a while

> though.

>

> Anyway, the reason I'm posting is, I have an American friend that

> has been living in India on and off for the last few years. He's

> here in CA visiting us and staying with us for a little while now.

> He wears these sandals everywhere he goes and I noticed that his

> feet are very dry and red. The skin looks like it is peeling a bit

> too. I'm not sure if it's a fungus or just very dry feet from

> wandering India on foot for so long. He's very " natural " and walks

> barefoot a lot. He loves the Kombucha and I thought perhaps some of

> the cream or a scoby could help his feet. I'm not sure what to use

> exactly though. If there are no open sores on his feet is it best

> to use a scoby? Or should I have him soak in tonic? Or the cream?

> Any advice would be most appreciated.

>

> Thanks!

>

March 8, 2006

I remember reading about someone putting a culture on an open sore (or

was it very raw skin?) and it got worse. I'll keep having him drink

it and see if he'll try the bath thing.

Thanks!

March 8, 2006

>He wears these sandals everywhere he goes and I noticed that his

>feet are very dry and red. The skin looks like it is peeling a bit

>too. I'm not sure if it's a fungus or just very dry feet from

>wandering India on foot for so long. He's very " natural " and walks

>barefoot a lot. He loves the Kombucha and I thought perhaps some of

>the cream or a scoby could help his feet. I'm not sure what to use

>exactly though. If there are no open sores on his feet is it best

>to use a scoby? Or should I have him soak in tonic? Or the cream?

>Any advice would be most appreciated.

Hi ,

I'm appending the article I wrote that is also available on the list

website. I've discovered that there are different properties to the use of

the SCOBY itself, the KT cream, or the KT liquid on skin.

To me it sounds like the application a couple times a day of some liquid

tonic, using a cotton ball or soft cloth or something, would work. I

disagree that using the tonic, even if vinegar, is always going to result

in a burn. I believe that someone posted they used a KT vinegar compress

(soak) on a herpes sore on their lip and got a vinegar burn, but that would

be an open sore on mucous membrane/transitional skin which is delicate,

and, yes some people are going to be more sensitive to the vinegar or KT

cream or SCOBY than others. I've used the vinegar for many applications,

as well as the KT cream and SCOBY, with very happy results. It's very

important for people not to generalize their experiences to be universal to

all, particularly when so many people use it on their skin with no

problems. What I recommend is that in general people can start with just

an application of liquid tonic which is let dry. If that is well

tolerated, then the use of the KT cream can be followed up if a stronger

medicine is needed. Because, the KT cream is quite strong and develops

into a vinegar base itself.

He could also use the cream overnight with some socks on top, though I'll

bet he would have a hard time sleeping with socks on if he goes barefoot

all the time. Try just the liquid first. I have my doubts that a diluted

bath of anything is going to help heal his skin, it probably needs

something more direct.

My article follows.

--V

------KT CREAM RECIPE AND STORAGE------------------

I've done some experimenting and have found a recipe/method for the

kombucha cream that works. The cream itself is just SCOBY pureed in a

blender with enough liquid KT added to make the right consistency. You

want it to be like applesauce, and it may take longer in the blender than

you might think-- SCOBYs are tough.

STORAGE: The website recommends refrigeration. I have found that the

cream spoils under refrigeration within 10 days to 2 weeks. It's better to

leave it out at room temperature so that its protective bioactivity can

continue. It lasts a very long time (so far, months), at room temp (in the

refrigerator it eventually grows mold, but none at room temp). The cream

will skin over... to use the cream, lift the skin and take out what you

want, then lower the skin back over. But here is the key: once the cream

has skinned over (or even before), cover the cream with a little bit of

liquid KT. Add a little liquid as needed. This nourishes and keeps the

whole thing from drying out. Can put a solid cap on, or use muslin or

(unbleached) waxed paper. I've done all 3 and all 3 covers work.

Experiment around. Some people add other ingredients such as clays or

herbs. I haven't tried that. But I have found the cream to be an amazing

skin remedy (for whatever ails ye) as well as facial treatment. If using

as facial, xperiment with the time left on because while I've not had this

problem, it's been suggested some people's skin might be sensitive to the

acidity. My experience tho has been that my skin is nourished and

extremely happy to receive it.

------ EXTERNAL APPLICATION, USES COMPARED ---------------

I've had an epiphany about external application. There are 3 basic types

of external application-- liquid KT, KT cream, and pure whole SCOBY.

One of my first pieces of information about external applications was quite

a few months ago when I first started with KT and found this list. Margret

was reporting having applied the SCOBY to a place where a varicose vein in

her leg had gotten injured, and that the flesh eroded. Margret more

recently wrote:

>I would only use the cream, or piece of scoby if the skin is not broken in

>any way. I have varicose veins, very bad ones in one leg. When I had an

>accident with it and the skin got broken I immediately put a scoby on it,

>but found that it aggravated the situation and make the whole surrounding

>area break out in sores.

>

>This might not have been the Kombucha's fault, but when the skin is very

>fragile, as mine is, intense contact acidity might not be a good idea.

>

>Anyway, now, having recovered completely, I use KT tonic to rub the skin,

>gently massaging all varicose parts. I have no pain in my legs now and I

>hope it's not only wishful thinking: The skin is so much improved.

Having this repeated on the list got me thinking, and a few minutes ago I

was struck with why the cream or SCOBY application caused flesh

erosion. It's the very same reason that such external applications have

been getting rid of the benign skin bumps on my nose. It's very simple.

Each form of external application has particular characteristics that make

them better for certain applications and less ideal for others. Once this

is understood, however, it's easy to modify the application of any external

form to help a given problem.

For example, I experience the KT cream (when stored as I do, by keeping

italive and moist with KT) to be the most intense external application

forproblems on unbroken skin (as opposed to cuts, ulcers, or wounds). If

applied as a facial, it peels the dead skin off in short order. If applied

to irregularities in the skin, bumps and so forth, it has the potential for

peeling the skin back far enough to get rid of such things, but it may take

a series of applications since if the bumps are deep seated there will have

to be interim healing of the surrounding areas.

As I have described in a previous email, the healing process from the

intense se of KT cream was very similar to that of healing from a previous

experience in which a highly killed plastic surgeon removed some of the

bumps (which tend to keep reproducing once a person manifests them, but

more on that later). So, it is my opinion that KT cream is best used in a

12/7 or 24/7 heavily applied manner with conditions that need dissolving or

breaking down; or, for the relief of temporary skin conditions such as

hives, bites, etc., as short-term, 3-4 times a day.

The use of whole SCOBYs, it seems to me, has a deeper, less skin-deep

effect. For example I recently described having wrapped my knee with a big

one, using a wide ace bandage gently wrapped, which relieved the pain I was

experiencing that was keeping me awake. It improved the pain so that I

could perform two days later with my band as I do, on inline skates. I

have also used thin pieces of SCOBY torn off and laid as a mask on the skin

bumps, it adheres well on its own and dries there. I alternated that mode

with the KT cream mode on my nose some, just naturally doing what felt

right. My impression is that the cream and the whole SCOBY were doing

lightly different things to the site of application, complementary

things. Nevertheless it's clear that the cream did the most peeling and

dissolving. (The SCOBY is good for a break from the intensity of the cream

while still continuing the treatment.)

Last, we have the application of liquid kombucha tonic itself. This can be

thought of for uses such as antiseptic, linament, and can be used anywhere

the cream or whole SCOBY is used, again as a way to reduce intensity of

treatment while continuing forward with it. So, this makes a lot of sense

with the issue of a varicose vein that has ulcered (opened in a sore to the

surface) or has been abraded. The thing that is not needed with an ulcer

is dissolving of flesh. What is needed is an emollient, antiseptic,

nurturing film, which is exactly what KT tonic provides when gently applied

with the hand, a cotton ball, or a piece of flannel (refresh often).

I theorize that if such an ulcer were heavily encrusted with poorly

scabbing material or if it had gotten dirty or was not healing well for any

reason, or if it were starting to show signs of infection, an initial rinse

with liquid KT and then heavy applications of KT cream would be indicated

until the surface looked moist and pink or red again, that is, use the

cream to clean up a sore or wound (only if necessary), otherwise use the

liquid tonic, as a general rule to get started with. Because such types of

problems don't need reduction of tissue, they need to be facilitated to

construct tissue.

As I analyze the various uses to which I've put the three external

kombucha-application types, I see that this schema is a useful tool for

thinking about how to approach a given external health concern.

KT cream: tissue reduction

KT liquid: tissue nurturance

whole SCOBY: muscoloskeletal issues, consolidation of gains in healing,

burn compress, bee stings and other insect bites, all-over skin tonic...

I said at the beginning that once one understands this thinking, it is

possible to modulate one's use of any of them to achieve the other

needs. For instance if you needed cream but only had a whole SCOBY, if you

keep the SCOBY wet with liquid KT it will accelerate the process. If you

only have cream but need liquid, put the cream on for shorter periods, more

frequently. Don't allow to dry on. If you need liquid and only have a

SCOBY, then just wipe the area with the SCOBY and let dry. This to

illustrate that it's all relative to time. Since the liquid KT is really

the same thing biologically and chemically as the cream or the whole SCOBY,

using the cream or SCOBY is a way to accelerate the effects, thus

shortening the time necessary for resolution.

Adjusting the time is important, so to achieve success watch external

applications carefully to get clues about changing the form of application

and time applied.

I've been thinking about excema and psoriasis. I think these are

conditions that need both cream and liquid. Because the flakiness needs

dissolving, but the skin needs nurturance and building as well. So, during

the day one could use liquid, and at night use the cream. That works well

socially also.

Kombucha is so considerate that way

--V

P.S. I think if one is treating a skin condition with cream or SCOBY that

a general practice of applying the liquid when not soaking the cream or

SCOBY on it would be beneficial. That's what I've been doing intuitively,

and it really helps. Then on occasion it would be, not putting anything

on, letting it breathe a day or two.

~~~ There is no way to peace; peace is the way ~~~~

--A.J. Muste

March 8, 2006

You could also try coconut oil. I have very dry feet and it works wonders

on mine. Maybe even put some kt in the coconut oil. Rub on and voila!

Allyn

_____

From: original_kombucha

[mailto:original_kombucha ] On Behalf Of

Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2006 3:00 PM

To: original_kombucha

Subject: Dry feet

Hi Everyone,

I've been making Kombucha on and off for the last 12 years. I got

the first batch from an elderly gentleman that used to come to the

wine bar I worked at and everyone thought I was nuts when I began

brewing it. (I'm in California). I found this site a while back but

didn't register until recently. I've been lurking here for a while

though.

Anyway, the reason I'm posting is, I have an American friend that

has been living in India on and off for the last few years. He's

here in CA visiting us and staying with us for a little while now.

He wears these sandals everywhere he goes and I noticed that his

feet are very dry and red. The skin looks like it is peeling a bit

too. I'm not sure if it's a fungus or just very dry feet from

wandering India on foot for so long. He's very " natural " and walks

barefoot a lot. He loves the Kombucha and I thought perhaps some of

the cream or a scoby could help his feet. I'm not sure what to use

exactly though. If there are no open sores on his feet is it best

to use a scoby? Or should I have him soak in tonic? Or the cream?

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

March 8, 2006