What exactly is the Chinese Tea, Kombucha, and what are it's proven vs.
believed health qualities? Is it harmful in anyway?

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Clarification of Question by cweb285-ga on 25 Apr 2006 02:37 PDT

Is Kombucha effective in manufactured drinks such as Synergy?

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Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 25 Apr 2006 14:35 PDT

"Effective" for doing what? As far as I know, there is no scientific
evidence of any health benefits from kombucha. The FDA and the CDC
have issued warnings about it. There are lots of personal
testimonials, many of which (surprise!) come from people who are
trying to sell products containing kombucha. Personally, I'll believe
the FDA and the CDC over some unknown huckster. ;-)

You might want to check out some of the articles linked here:

http://www.cis.um.edu.mt/staff/cmeli/xfiles/kombuchamalta.html

Thanks for the link, I am looking for information from both sides and
it seems this person is centered to much on the religious aspects of
things and not applying much research, except the one site that they
quote.

Cweb-ga,
Pinkfreud is a very savvy G-A Researcher, and is all too aware of
potential health problems.  Just a glance at other sites about
kombucha made me recognize why she chose that one as a warning. 
"Religious aspects" are much more likely on the sites propounding the
supposed values of kombucha.  Read them if you like, but please also
read a couple of others:

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00039742.htm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/weekend/story/0,3605,849642,00.html