PROBABLE GASTROINTESTINAL TOXICITY OF KOMBUCHA TEA - IS THIS BEVERAGEHEALTHY OR HARMFUL

Kombucha tea is a health beverage made by incubating the Kombucha ''mu shroom'' in tea and sugar. Although therapeutic benefits have been att ributed to the drink, neither its beneficial effects nor adverse side effects have been reported widely in the scientific literature. Side e ffects probably related to consumption of Kombucha tea are reported in four patients. Two presented with symptoms of allergic reaction, the third with jaundice, and the fourth with nausea, vomiting, and head an d neck pain. In all four, use of Kombucha tea in proximity to onset of symptoms and symptom resolution on cessation of tea drinking suggest a probable etiologic association.