What Is The Mysterious Kombucha?

Kombuhtscha do you pronounce it, it is written Kombucha, a drink from the Kombucha fungus that looks like a big fat pancakes. Countless legends surround this drink to be "no doubt" of Asian origin. Whether it should have been, however, already used in China over 2,000 years ago, no one really knows. There is also the suggestion that the drink comes from Eastern Europe, and not nearly as old.

But what is the mysterious Kombucha? Described quite simply, one could say: It's a slightly alcoholic fermented drink is similar to cider, which is mixed with green, black or herbal tea. The sweetened tea is fermented by the bacteria, and yeasts existing Kombucha. The fermentation process is complete, the product consists of gluconic acid, acetic acid and alcohol.

Especially the green tea is said to have a variety of positive characteristics. Older people mostly prefer ginseng tea to increase their vitality. However, Kombucha should not have significantly better properties. Naturopaths recommend it for detoxification and purification of the body - it should also strengthen the immune system. The color of the tea can range from light gray to pink to dark brown vary, depending on the type of tea.

Kombucha can also establish itself, then its effect will be even more effective, because in industrial production as important microorganisms are killed and left only the drink itself remains

For the production of 1/2 liter of Kombucha: Kombucha 1, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 tablespoons black tea, 1 tablespoon of tea to taste and some black tea, a fermentation vessel (about 1 liter), 1 dishcloth, 1 closure clamp , a sieve, a funnel and a bottle with screw cap. Ideally, you can add 1/8 liter of finished Kombucha as an accelerator, but this is not absolutely necessary.

Preparation: Boil water, tea into the water. 15 minutes draw, pour through a sieve or tea bags, remove it completely dissolve sugar. The whole thing at about 25 degrees, let cool and pour into the fermentation vessel, add the Kombucha culture. A new Kombucha is formed later on the surface. Fermentation vessel covered with a towel. Now attach the cloth with a rubber ring. And scrupulously pay close attention to the fact that it is completely sealed around it. The whole place now a quiet, warm place at about 25 degrees.

To get the perfect drink, the temperature should not drop at night. The cooler the fermentation temperature, the faster mold spores begin their campaign of destruction. When a fungus bulges abnormally upward, then pierce through the bubble and dive under the mushroom, otherwise it dries out and loses its effect. Have you noticed all this, is about seven to ten days' rest. If you move the vessel to rise and no bubbles, the drink is finally done - sweet, sour and pleasantly refreshing.

With the Kombucha beverage can also prepare excellent long drinks or cocktails. For example, take some ice cubes from the freezer, give a few drops Angustura (bark of a South American tree) and to taste rum, brandy or gin. It is even claimed that Sauerbraten is really good to have it lodges in pure kombucha.

Then you see the Kombucha culture (perhaps also a new fungus arose almost transparent) carefully with the cleanest hands and place it on a clean glass or porcelain. Now you can fill the finished drink through a sieve or a filter paper in the bottle. The best preserved it in the refrigerator.

Definitely keep ten percent of the drink back, because that is your new approach. The Kombucha culture - and the new - just wash off with lukewarm water. The yeast that has settled to the bottom during fermentation can, in the container and rinse every four weeks. Now the whole thing can start again.

Another important note: If themselves are unwanted, harmful micro-organisms, you may have an unhealthy product. So make sure that in unusual color or smell mold, or even the Kombuchaherstellung failed - then you should dispose of the whole thing at once. When fermentation process essential to cleanliness and hygiene.

By the way: The Kombucha culture can relate to well-stocked organic shops, in Asialaden or over the Internet. He has arrived for you, you basically need only your choice of tea and sugar.

A Note for diabetics: Kombucha contain more or less sugar. Therefore, diabetics should pay attention to the consumption of sugar. Purchased Kombuchagetränke may not be referred to as "soft drinks". The high content of easily absorbable sugar for diabetics is just one possible unfavorable drink and therefore not recommended as a regular thirst quencher.

So if one wants to make a completely unusual drink, the friends and family can order in a special way to surprise and honestly say: "To your health!"

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Personal Health Insurance Loses Nearly 160000 Members

Return to the GKV rises to 5-year high, The private health insurance was for years in the minds of many consumers for a kind of luxury medicine. Who wanted to be treated by the chief doctor, enjoy a one-bed room or sit in the waiting room for only a short time, opted for private health insurance. The influx of new customers over the years was significantly higher than the drain - ie the number of returnees. In recent years, however, seems a trend in private health insurance to spread, pointing in another direction.

As is evident from recent figures from the private health insurance association, the number of returnees in the statutory health insurance, a new 5-year high reached. 153 000 2010 even went back to the policyholders of private health insurance, there are 159 400 last year with private insurance already almost 160,000. And the date coverage would improve the image of the private health insurance does not necessarily, but high premium adjustments, unisex rates and power constraints are always in the room.

Bottom line, more privately insured
If the private health insurance for the count now? The numbers of private health insurance association may suggest at first exactly in that direction. However, the association is to consider that the 159 400 returnees are more than offset by the nearly 236 000 new customers. This seems at least clear in 2011 that the interest has been high at a private health cover, because the net increase was about 76,000 members.

Stefan Reker, the spokesman for the Association of Private Health Insurers had to consider also that a significant part of the outflows from the private health insurance under the law has come about. A fact that can not be externally verified on. The fact is however that the 01 January 2011, the change to private health insurance has actually become easier - by eliminating the 3-year period and a falling jaeg. This control variable is that - unlike 2012 - as a reason for the "forced" return to the GKV.

Possible return to the GKV
Could be explained by employers about the numbers changing in conjunction with falling wages, job autonomy, followed by the inclusion of a social insurance contributions or the retirement of civil servants on time. Should be really interesting figures for 2012, when the consequences are often the last to be priced in bad news. For the CDU politician Jens Spahn's health, according to "world", however, clear that the private health insurance "currently has many, sometimes existential problems" and there will be a convergence of systems.

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Unisex Rates: Existing Customers Remain Spared

The theme of unisex tariffs in 2012 a hot iron - not only for life and pension insurer. Especially in the Private Health Insurance was a gender-based discrimination and thus a separate calculation of the contributions to the agenda. At the end is about to change this, however, a decision of the ECJ of 1 March 2011 (Az: C-236/09) puts the screws to the insurers. Unclear long was the treatment of existing customers, the private health insurers in this regard have been waiting for a signal from Berlin.

Now the Federal Ministry of Finance Wolfgang Schäuble (CDU) has finally responded and clarified that existing insurance contracts for the change are left out. Those who have already taken out private health insurance can thus - at least for now - sigh of relief. For security keep insured with this statement by no means in their hands. The reason: The unisex tariffs could lead to significant shifts in the private health insurance.

Ministry sees no reason to change
In the eyes of the Federal Ministry of Finance makes the judgment of the Court to the exclusion of existing customers from the conversion process. Hartmut Koschyk, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Ministry of Wolfgang Schauble said, so that there is no need to involve and existing insurance contracts in this conversion process. From the perspective of the insurer has a serious decision. Because so far it is unclear what the consequences of the separation.

According to the Insurance Contract Act (ICA) have insured the opportunity to change their rate in the private health insurance, without having to give up rights, if the powers of the two rates are comparable. Experts fear the fact that females use currently existing customers in the private health insurance, the chance to distinguish themselves from more expensive rates.

Hope and fear of PHI
According to behave the insurer to respond to what the Federal Treasury. Statements, as will develop the new "unisex" world into the private health insurance, want to meet anyone. Finally, forecasts are not only difficult but almost borders on "tea leaves". Unless the political level, the regulation process is completed, it is not likely to change much. The fact is however that some industry experts representing the attitude, the PHI will new contracts in the future with a higher proportion of women and calculate the premium difference to shorten existing contracts. A step, which could limit the appeal of the tariff change.

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Private Health Insurance: Not Always First Choice

Health care reform stands. The entry barriers to private health insurance have been something to be higher, but who has the chance, should change. While health patients will face over the coming years, further compromising the health, the services of private insurers are contractually guaranteed.

No chance of a life-saving surgery or much-needed medicine for over 80 years? The Scientific Institute of PHI (WIP), the private health insurer in a study of the impact of population aging on health expenditure examined. Conclusion: The increase in life expectancy in Germany will lead to significant additional expense.

Private Health Insurance: Age reserves to protect against rising fees

Unlike the makers of the unfunded public health insurance SHI, the cover for their members not to save the private health insurance a part of the premium income as a financial cushion. These so-called age provisions serve to mitigate rising health care costs in old age. Even in advanced age are the premiums for private long-term patients in affordable. New: As part of health reform was agreed that private health insurance when changing the future of the insurance company already may transfer accrued aging provisions to some extent to the new provider. So far, the subsequent change in particular for long-term insurance was associated with significant financial losses.

Performance guarantees are only available in the private health insurance
Overall, even in the private health insurer can not escape the rising health care costs. Thanks to old age provisions of the effect will be mitigated. Especially those who are healthy and well deserved, by the early switch to a private insurance company often saves a lot of money at a young age. It makes sense to some of these savings for private health care are covered. In contrast to patients with private insurance funds also have to worry about any performance compromise. The scope of services, such as accommodation in single or twin rooms, free choice of doctor, or reimbursement of dental treatments can be arranged individually and are guaranteed by contract. The service catalog of statutory health insurance funds has been slashed in contrast to the already sensitive vergangengen years. Who does not want to settle for average performance, resorts to a panel patient often already deep into their pockets, and rising.



healthinsurancenotesblog Tips: As a private patient, you benefit from guaranteed benefits and individual retirement provisions. If your income exceeds three consecutive years as an employee of the current insurance liability limit of 48.600 Euro, you can change.
Compare prices carefully before completing and services.

If you are bound by the statutory health insurance, you should close gaps in coverage as early as possible by private supplementary policies. In particular, a hospital insurance does pay off quickly in an emergency.

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Baby First Tooth

The first tooth is announced every baby different. Some hardly notice, and parents to see him suddenly flashed white as snow, when the little one the little mouth gapes. Other children are cranky before the breakthrough, and drooling in a bad mood. You get fat red cheeks, perhaps even respond with diarrhea and mild fever.

Pediatricians also point out that it is not always clear whether the symptoms really are behind the first tooth. After all, babies do well with early infections. For parents, this time does not often interrupted nights, stress and uncertainty. Our baby is crying now, because it gets teeth and pain? Does it make sense to apply a pain reliever? What Teethers are suitable? And what about breastfeeding?

Spitting is one of them
In itself, the breaking of the teeth a perfectly normal, perfectly controlled by the nature of matter. It is only more or less great restlessness accompanied, depending on what kind of guy your child.

One thing that all teething child in common: they spit more. In an instant bib and clothing in the neck and chest are soaked and wet. Now you need additional batches Mullwindeln or small neck and handkerchiefs. The baby and to transfer these change frequently, the only way, rompers and jackets to keep reasonably dry.

The first teether
Now the time comes for the first teething ring. For now have babies that need to chew on hard things. This looks like a massage and helps to break the tooth. Commercially there are a wide range of teething rings for young children.

Then watch out for: A lightweight, easy-to-border teether is safer than if your child chews on toys or any object. Finally, it's all the little ones so grab even saliva, or painted with nontoxic paints beautifully rounded.

Whether hard or soft teether your baby is probably not care. If you opt for a soft copy, you should look carefully. Buy a precaution only teething rings with the words "without plasticizer", "without phthalate" or "PVC free".

For these are now banned. Or equal to those models that are made of polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). With liquid-filled rings should only be in the refrigerator, but not cool in the freezer. Otherwise they are too cold and injure the delicate mucous membrane of your baby.

Do it too cold carrot
If you prefer, of course, should his child a chilled piece of peeled carrot or give a hard crust. Both, however, only under supervision because your child could choke on pieces bitten.

Gum massage helps with teething: If your baby likes it and does not tolerate, you can massage his dental lamina in between gently with your clean fingers.

Cure for pain
Means for local pain relief for teething you get at the pharmacy. They are simply applied the gums and gently massaged. There is no reason why you use such a product in between, to facilitate your child's teeth. For example, at night, so it's better to sleep.

According to homeopathic remedies, you should consult your pediatrician. You can temporarily distract your baby for some time. If you play with your baby, take a stroll or cuddle, it will certainly remember his discomfort for a while.

Teeth and breastfeeding
The first teeth the way, not mean that breastfeeding is over now. Breastfeeding works well in children with teeth still without restriction.

If you notice that your baby sucks and hardly any tweaks instead with his teeth, remove it from the breast.

The teeth are a sign that your baby will soon be curious to solid food.

As early as the first tooth is pleased by the way of a toothbrush. As early as the first teeth, the dental care once daily should be done with a fluoridated toothpaste. It is best to use a toothbrush with a child-friendly learning small bristle head and soft bristles.

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Fertility: New Love Evokes Feelings of Father

The love is apparently not only blind, but men also quite fond of their own offspring. According to a study by Bar-Ilan University in Israel to the brain in love fresh men run at full speed when they see babies.

For their study, researcher Ruth Feldman had shown 65 test persons photos of newborns. Among the volunteers there were singles, newly in love men and women and young parents. Amazingly, brought the baby pictures, especially the young mothers and the men fell to boil. Her interest in the pictures was even higher than that of fathers and (Note) of the female partner. Singles, however, the images were rather cold.

This should at least be somewhat defused the persistent rumor that young men would take the issue of starting a family prefers to escape.

Men are not muffle in family planning. Who has fallen in love, has only baby in the sense

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Omega 3 Fatty Acids For Children

Disgusted "Baaaah, I do not like!" Crows Leonie and grimaces. A reaction that many parents know their children, if fish is on the table. This fish is healthy. In particular, the healthy fat varieties such as salmon, mackerel and herring. For they contain essential omega-3 fatty acids that benefit even babies in the womb.

Fish dishes are anything but children at a premium. But they should! Finally, certain types of fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids. What can these nutrients and why children in particular benefit from them.

Great pike
Omega-3 fatty acids come into the body cells against the people, especially in the cells of the brain, central nervous system and retina of the eye. The problem: The human body needs to absorb these substances from food and they can not - such as saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids - produce itself. In particular, pregnant women should ensure adequate supply of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Because these omega-3 fatty acids are involved in brain development and eyesight of the unborn.

Studies of the past decade have shown that infants who were in the womb and during breast-feeding an adequate supply of DHA, see sharper, higher IQs and better language, fine motor and social skills possessed. A lead in development, which makes up to school age. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends that pregnant women and nursing mothers, 200 milligrams of DHA daily to eat. To meet these needs, should be one to two times per week oily fish on the menu.

Under constant current
Omega-3 fatty acids are not only good for the "upper story". American scientists found that an adequate intake of omega-3 fatty acids children with attention-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can affect positively. In Germany about 4.8 percent of three-to 17-year-olds suffer from this neuropsychiatric disorder.

Those affected are fidgety, restless, impulsive, can only concentrate hard and are easily distracted. The exact causes are still unknown - but doctors suggest that ADHD is genetic occasionally. And: There is growing evidence that omega-3 fatty acids play a role.

Thus gave the researchers found that ADHD patients often have a low omega-3 levels in the blood and increase behavior problems and learning difficulties, the lower the DHA value. For school children with ADHD who received high doses over several months of omega-3 fatty acids, were the typical symptoms and behavioral problems, however, and returned their reading and spelling skills improved even.

Get a taste

No doubt: omega-3 fatty acids are healthy

. An argument that probably comes in many children fall on deaf ears. What to do if children like Leonie absolutely do not want to be fishing fans? In this case, dietary supplements of fish oils help highly purified to meet the daily requirements of DHA and EPA (eg, "Healthy omega-3 form").

The forms include child-friendly gel tabs (eg "double heart omega-3 junior system", available at pharmacies). Basically, parents should accustom their children from infancy to a balanced diet - and eating healthy yourself. Because when mom and dad feed fish regularly, the kids often do them right. And cook together and varied dish! This combined with the unpopular fish hot lover, such as spaghetti with salmon instead of ground beef.

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Allergies: How To Reduce The Living Environment Caused By House Dust Mite Problems?

Clean frequently to the bedroom and dust collector to remove from there who can help possibly caused by dust mites reduce complaints. That mite-proof bedding or special air cleaner is helping, but not proven.

People with year-round allergic rhinitis (allergic rhinitis) are often hypersensitive to certain substances in the air. Sources of allergens include pollen, animal hair, dander and dust mites. Dust mites are tiny arachnids that can be found wherever people live, work or go to school. This is because they feed on tiny flakes of skin, discard the people and animals continuously.

Microscopic parts of the feces and parts of dead dust mites are in the air, and on mattresses, blankets, pillows, carpets, curtains and soft toys. These particles can trigger allergies. You can easily enter the respiratory tract and are among the most common triggers of allergic asthma. Dust mites are in every home and every workplace. You are not a sign of unsanitary conditions.

People with allergic rhinitis tend to sneeze a lot, her nose is running or is blocked, and their eyes water and itch. If involved in an allergic rhinitis are also the eyes, one speaks of a rhinoconjunctivitis. There are tablets, eye drops and nasal sprays to treat these symptoms. Antihistamines are often used by agents and cortisone (corticosteroids). What are the advantages and disadvantages of various antihistamines, click here. Even a so-called specific immunotherapy can help with some allergies. It can be sprayed repeatedly over several years, very small amounts of the substance that triggers the allergy. Called for some allergies, there is also a version of the immunotherapy, sublingual immunotherapy. In this case, dissolve repeated over a longer period small tablets under the tongue on or allergen solutions is in drop form an under the tongue. The aim is also to be less sensitive to the allergens. You can read more about the specific immunotherapy read here.

An allergy to dust mites causes discomfort throughout the year

People who react to certain plants have pollen allergy, usually in spring and / or summer complaints. During this time you can go to the allergens in the air, barely out of the way. The situation is different for people who are allergic to house dust mites: Although they have done throughout the year to be with their allergies, but they can also potentially reduce the amount of allergens to which they are exposed. Probably you can most likely bring in their own homes a little.

There is no shortage of recommendations of what to do in the house or apartment to reduce dust mites. On the one hand are advised to regularly ventilate the home, often to wash the sheets and wiping the floor often. On the other hand is often recommended to refrain from "dust catchers" - for example on upholstered furniture, carpets and curtains.

There are also technical devices to filter the air. Air purifier with a HEPA filter ("high efficiency particulate air" filters) should reduce the amount of dust mite allergens in the air. There are also special mattress cover (encasing) or protective covers, which are to be mite-proof or allergen-proof, and special spray for dust mites, which are applied to the mattress, blanket and other surfaces. There are sprays, plant-based, but based on most spray chemicals that kill dust mites (pesticides called acaricides).

Studies on whether these measures will help in the bedroom

Researchers from the Cochrane Collaboration of the University of Edinburgh (Scotland) wanted to discover whether the various measures to help in the home environment can, by an allergic rhinitis caused complaints to be reduced. The Cochrane Collaboration is an international research network that examines the benefits and harms of therapies. The research group was also interested in whether the people at work were absent less often, whether their quality of life improved if they used less medication because of the allergy and whether the various measures had adverse effects.

The scientists evaluated only randomized controlled trials because these studies provide the most reliable results on the effect of treatments and other measures. In this type of research, a group of volunteers at random into two or more groups will be divided. A group then used, for example, a mattress with a mite-proof cover, while another group is not used this reference. Then the groups are compared to see whether one group of participants has more complaints than the other. Thus, for assessing whether the mattress cover alone actually make a difference. Find out more about how good studies are done and why it is happening Sun

The researchers found nine trials involving 500 participants, mainly concerned with action in the bedroom. HEPA air cleaners, anti-mite spray for bed, mattress covers, frequent cleaning of bedding and bedroom and the lack of home textiles in the bedroom (as curtains and carpets) were each tested in at least one study. Some of the studies combined different measures, for example, the mattress was sprayed and then raised a mattress cover. In most studies, however, was attended by only a few people and they were prone to error. Therefore, the studies do provide some clues as to what could help make for some action but no definitive conclusions.

To reduce dust mites in the bedroom, could reduce the symptoms - it could be shown that they alone can afford it but no action

The few descriptive studies have examined the use of protective mattress covers. If they were used alone, could not be shown to influence the complaints really. The isolated use of mite-proof bedding seems therefore to have no advantage over normal bed linen. There is no research showing that HEPA filters reduce the complaints in the bedroom.

Anti-mite sprays with acaricides (pesticides against mites and ticks) may help reduce the discomfort. They are sometimes used in mattress covers. Adverse effects were not reported in these small studies, but you do not know how safe are anti-mite sprays, when applied over several years. If they are used, it is very important to adhere strictly to the instructions. Like all poisons, sprays must be the outside of the reach of children. Anti-mite sprays with acaricides are available in Germany. German authorities should point out, however, that if you use non-chemical methods against pests prefer. There are also sprays without pesticides, the scientists and researchers have not found any studies.

The research group also drew the following conclusion: If people want to try to reduce dust mites, may help to clean the house more often (for example, wet wipe) to change the bedding frequently and to remove more dust catchers. This includes inventory on the first one does not think, perhaps, such as curtains, stuffed toys or furniture, which are only partially bepolstert. If anything is to help in the long run, it is important that it is affordable and feasible in daily life, because then you can make it a part of everyday routine.

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