Content
- 1 Is it possible to give kombucha to children
- 2 Composition and value of kombucha
- 3 Why is kombucha useful for children
- 4 At what age can kombucha be given to a child
- 5 How to properly give kombucha to children
- 6 The use of kombucha for children for medicinal purposes
- 7 Limitations and contraindications
- 8 Conclusion
Many mothers, fearing the side effects of modern drugs, prefer to treat their child with folk methods. Even in ancient times, it was known that the regular use of infusion on kombucha, called kvass, has a beneficial effect on the human body. Indeed, with the help of a drink, you can cure most of the colds that babies so often get sick with. However, it is important to know how to properly give kombucha to children, at what age and in what dosage, and also take into account contraindications and individual intolerance.
Is it possible to give kombucha to children
Kombucha was brought to Europe at the beginning of the 20th century from the Far East, where locals have long considered it an elixir that bestows health and longevity. The drink infused with jellyfish is absolutely safe, extremely useful, therefore it can be given even to very young children for preventive purposes.
Some believe that because of the alcohol content, the child should not drink such an infusion. However, its amount is so insignificant (less than in kefir) that children under 2 years old can use kombucha without fear.
By the way, official medicine recommends infusion of jellyfish for pregnant women and nursing mothers as a preventive measure against seasonal colds.
Composition and value of kombucha
Kombucha is a huge colony consisting of a symbiosis of two microorganisms: a yeast-like fungus and acetic acid bacteria. In the process of life of yeast, substances such as ethanol and carbon dioxide are formed, therefore the drink resembles kvass. In addition, the composition contains trace elements necessary for a normal metabolism (potassium, zinc, copper), vitamins (B, PP, C), as well as various biologically active substances and essential oils. Especially a lot of acids are produced: both organic and inorganic:
- dairy;
- oxalic;
- apple;
- gluconic;
- acetic;
- phosphoric;
- lemon.
It is due to this amount of acids that the infusion on kombucha has a sour taste. Also, the drink contains a lot of enzymes (protease, catalase, amylase), lipids and polysaccharides. However, the most important component is a natural antibiotic - jellyfish, because kombucha is especially valued in folk medicine.
Why is kombucha useful for children
Due to its healing properties, kombucha has been used for the successful treatment of many diseases since ancient times. A drink based on it has a pronounced bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect. With its help, such childhood diseases are effectively treated:
- sore throat;
- tonsillitis;
- bronchitis;
- stomatitis;
- intestinal infections;
- ARVI.
It is noted that hyperexcitable children who regularly consume infusion of kombucha become less active. And overly sluggish and painful, on the contrary, are more mobile.
For healthy children, thanks to its beneficial properties, Kombucha has a positive effect on the entire body as a whole, namely:
- improves the digestive tract, eliminates bacteriosis, increases appetite;
- has a calming effect, normalizes sleep;
- increases immunity, normalizes metabolism.
It has been proven that infusion of unfermented green tea is an excellent prevention of oncology, since it negatively affects the growth of cancer cells.
At what age can kombucha be given to a child
Children, especially those on artificial feeding, can drink kombucha from six months of age, however, in small doses - about a teaspoon at a time. For those who receive immunoglobulins in full with breast milk, the drink can be introduced into the diet starting from 10-12 months.
How to properly give kombucha to children
If the child has previously experienced allergic reactions to anything, this infusion should be given with caution. The first dose should be no more than a tablespoon, after which it is important to monitor the condition. If there are no negative consequences, you can safely give your baby this miraculous drink every day. Perhaps, there will be a slight upset stool or frequent urination, however, within two to three weeks, the body will adapt and everything will return to normal.
From 10 months, kvass should be given no more than 20-30 ml per day, gradually increasing the dose. At the age of one year, the daily rate should reach more than 50-60 ml in two doses.
Kombucha child at 2 years old can drink 50 ml twice a day, continuing to gradually increase the amount of kvass. At three years old, this dose reaches the daily norm of an adult: 100 ml two or three times a day.
The use of kombucha for children for medicinal purposes
It is recommended to take infusion of kombucha for children for preventive purposes one hour before meals or two hours after meals. However, the drink can be used as an external medicine for diseases of the upper respiratory tract, oral mucosa, various skin diseases. Application:
- In case of purulent sore throat or inflammation of the larynx, gargle 3-4 times a day with a concentrated infusion.
- In case of rhinitis or runny nose, instill 1-2 drops into each nasal passage three times a day.
- For an infectious disease of the oral mucosa (stomatitis, gingivitis or thrush), rinse your mouth after each meal.
- The wound healing and analgesic properties of kombucha infusion help in the treatment of purulent wounds, burns and inflammation of the skin.
Most of those who gave kombucha to children give positive reviews about this method of treatment, since the natural antibiotic jellyfish effectively copes with pathogenic bacteria.
If you insist kombucha in a decoction of rosehip berries and add a spoonful of honey before use, you will get an excellent antiviral agent that will help completely get rid of a mild cold in 5-7 days.
Young children are advised to teach kombucha on a decoction of lemon balm, linden, raspberries or oregano.
Limitations and contraindications
Despite the undoubted benefits of kombucha for the child's body, in some cases there are certain restrictions:
- with caution, such a drink should be given to those children who have an increased acidity of the stomach or gastritis;
- with individual intolerance, it is categorically impossible to water the baby with such kvass;
- such a drink is contraindicated for children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus;
- if it becomes necessary to take synthetic drugs (for example, paracetamol at a high temperature), it is better to remove kvass from the daily diet for a while;
- during the course of the acute phase of gastric or intestinal diseases, the infusion should be completely excluded from the diet.
Young children are advised to take periodic breaks, because the gas contained in the drink can irritate the stomach lining. Usually, after a month of admission, a pause of two to three weeks is maintained, after which they continue to give the baby such a drink.
It is also worth remembering that an overly sour drink that has stood for more than three days spoils the vulnerable enamel of milk teeth. Therefore, we must not forget to dilute it for children.
Conclusion
Usually children like kombucha because of its sweet and sour refreshing taste and the presence of a small amount of gas bubbles. The benefits of this drink have been proven by scientists and recognized by traditional medicine. Therefore, if the child has no contraindications, you can safely give him this wonderful healing and tasty drink.