Kombucha Skin Care - Age Spot Removal

Living in New Zealand it is almost inevitable we will get sun spots/age spots/liver spots - all the names for those brown blotches on or skin.  By the time we're 35 or so, unless we have been devoted in our use of sunscreen, they suddenly appear.

I made some skin cream using kombucha instead of water - basically just oil (almond oil or olive oil or whatever you have on had), water and emulsifier.  I intended to use it as a general skin cream.   I rubbed a little of the cream on my hands and to my surprise and wonder my age spots started to fade a little.  I thought at first it was a trick of the light but no - they really had got paler.  My sister who was with me at the time, looked at me in a startled way - and I looked back at her equally astounded.  We thought we were seeing things.  For once we were speechless :-)

There is actually no need to make cream - if you don't mind the smell just get a cotton ball soaked in kombucha and rub it on your age spots.  Leave on for at least half an hour before rinsing off.  Repeat daily until you're happy with the result - and don't forget to use SPF30 when you go out in the sun to ensure you don't create new age spots!

Where to get a Scoby in NZ

I am often asked where to obtain a scoby.  A few people will have friends or family who can supply them with a healthy new scoby from the natural growth on their brew.  However most of us must buy them.

Trademe is the most reliable source and the sellers there seem to be responsible traders who take care to supply good healthy scobies and post them so they aren't damaged in transit.  Expect to pay around $10 to $20 for a scoby and some kombucha starter.   Delivery costs extra of course.

You are looking for a nice fresh scoby - pale and fat and fresh smelling kombucha liquid to use as a starter/acidifier.

There is also a Facebook group called 'Fermenting Freaks Forever! New Zealand' who sometimes have spare scobies to sell or share.

Don't be tempted to buy any powdered kombucha maker - it doesn't grow a scoby - it's just a dehydrated drink mix and won't have the health benefits of properly brewed/fermented kombucha.

The amazing healing properties of Kombucha.

Because Kombucha Tea acts on the whole system its beneficial effects extend to many disorders. Kombucha helps prevent disease through the strengthening of the immune system and by supplying the body with easily absorbed nutrients. It slows or even reverses aging by removing toxins, while strengthening and increasing the number of disease-fighting agents in the body. Removes heavy metals from the body. Replaces water and nutrients quickly following heavy exercise and sweating. Kombucha is a potent immune system booster. It can be an important part of treatment for a wide range of diseases. Put the word 'kombucha' into any search engine and you will see there are many reported testimonials, on the net and in books, of cures of ailments including:

Dissolves gallstones
Increases energy
Arterioscrosis/softens veins
Speeds healing
Lowers cholesterol
Lowers blood pressure
Increases blood circulation
Eliminates wrinkles/skin humectant
Relieves menopausal symptoms
Strengthens leg muscles
Chickenpox /herpes zoster remedy
Colitis/improves digestion/ nervous stomach
Poultice for wounds/ulcers
Cleanses gallbladder
Lessens anxiety
Levels glucose
Protects teeth from cavities
Activates glandular system
Acne
AIDS
Cancer
Prostrate/bladder disorders
Dysentery in Infants
Constipation
Psoriasis
Multiple sclerosis
Stronger fingernails
Arthritis
Gout
Kidney disorders
Bronchitis
Cataracts
Pain in limbs
Liver problems
Tonsillitis
Allergies
Candita albicans
Obesity/burns fat
Impotence
Pernicious anemia
Insomnia
Diarrhea
Balding
Edemas
Diabetes
Hypoglycemia
Vision acuity
Chronic colds
Sweaty feet
Back pain
Chronic headaches
Anorexia
Cystic fibroid disease
Epstein-Barr (Chronic Fatigue Syndome)
Hemarrhoids
Neurasthenic stomach-liver-kidney disorders
Aging
Thickens hair
Asthma
Candidiasis
All digestive disorders
Hemorrhoids
Fybromialgia
Incontinence in both men and women
Migraine relief
Poor digestion
Prostate problems
Low 'T' cell count
Psoriasis
And much more!

Ginger Beer Kombucha

Some people (very rarely) don't like the taste of kombucha - or it is a little sour for their stomachs.  One easy answer to this is to add root ginger to the freshly brewed kombucha.  I have seen some recipes that include the grated ginger root in the mix and then brew it - but I think this will weaken the mushroom scoby and so I wait till the kombucha is brewed to your taste and when I bottle it, I add a teaspoon of grated or minced ginger root to the bottle before sealing it.  Ginger is particularly good for the stomach and tastes wonderful - your kids will love it!  Makes it nice and fizzy too :-)