What is this kombucha cream?

[Guest guest]

I'm just wondering what this kombucha cream is that everyone's raving

about.

[Guest guest]

>I'm just wondering what this kombucha cream is that everyone's raving

>about.

Kombucha cream is simply the blenderized SCOBY with enough liquid KT to get

it to render to applesauce consistency. It can take quite a while to break

down the cellulose, longer than you might think. I actually suggest

running the blender for awhile, letting the engine cool, and running it

again, because such appliances build up heat and that could damage the

biological activity of the cream. With the cream, the biological activity

is essential.

It's also important not to put too much liquid in. You want the cream to be

concentrated. So, if too much liquid does get used, put a fabric cover on

the cream container and let it evaporate off some.

Here is my article on the subject, with recent revisions. It is available

on the KT list website

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/original_kombucha/ , if you look on

the left side where it says " files " , then scroll down to the title.

===============================================

------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. Also do not use too much liquid, you

want the cream to be concentrated. If it is too watery, put just a fabric

cover on the container and let some liquid evaporate off.

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 will grow 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 LOOSELY, or use muslin or

(unbleached) waxed paper. My favorite is a combination of muslin topped by

waxed paper; it's breathable, but slows down evaporation.

I've begun storing my main supply in a mason jar with the muslin/waxed

paper cover. I then put a small amount in each of several glass face cream

jars, convenient for frequent use, setting them at convenient places in the

house. The lid still needs to be on loosely, because the health of the

cream depends on air supply. Also, people have had their cream swoosh out

because of built-up gasses. So please, loosely capped unless you are

traveling or something.

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

herbs. I haven't tried that. If you are interested in tissue reduction,

I would not recommend adding coconut oil or other emolients, clays, or

herbs. The reason is because all of those would dilute if not prevent the

biological action of the KT cream, which is how it works. I have found the

KT cream alone to be an amazing skin remedy (for whatever ails ye) as well

as facial treatment.

If using as facial, experiment 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. It would be well for people to do a patch

test (put on inside of elbow, cover with bandaid, let sit for 24 hours)

before using KT cream, just to make sure you're not overly sensitive to the

acidity.

------ 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 when

a listmember reported having applied the SCOBY to a place where a varicose

vein in her leg had gotten injured, and that the flesh eroded. She 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 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, by adjusting the time period for treatment.

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

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

problems 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 use of KT cream was very similar to that of healing from a previous

experience in which a highly skilled 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. I and others I know

are having great success using the cream on poison oak(/ivy) rashes; it is

the only thing I/we have ever tried that actually stops the progression and

heals the rash, starting immediately. Miracle.

The use of whole SCOBYs, it seems to me, has a deeper 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 (and have tested with myself and others and found to be true)

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. This is a condition that needs 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.

Ah, and I said I'd get back to the repeated manifestation of the skin

bumps: it appears to me that we're beating back the bumps on all fronts:

eradication and prevention.

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

--A.J. Muste