The instagramable health craze known as ‘Kombucha’, is more than just an online fad. It’s actually an ancient remedy to an assortment of ailments.

Kombucha, pronounced [COM-BOO-CHA], is a fermented, sweetened tea drink. The sugary, slightly alcoholic tea is made up of live bacteria and yeast culture, and is renowned for its health benefits.

Minimal, basic ingredients mean Kombucha can be brewed at home using: sugar, cold filtered water, black or green tea, and scoby. Scoby is a ‘symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts’ – i.e. a living home for bacteria and yeast. This bacteria and yeast converts the sugar ingredient into ethanol and acetic acid, giving the tea its distinctive sour taste.

The drink is thought to originate from China, where it has been made for over two hundred years for its health benefits. The supposed health benefits range from reducing risk of heart disease to helping manage type 2 diabetes. Its praise comes from the abundance of probiotics and antioxidants coming from the fermentation process.

Working wonders for the health of your gut, this ancient Chinese homebrew is believed to improve digestive health and clean out our guts. A healthy gut is a healthy mind. Recent research shows that healthy gut bacteria improves our mood and our skin. The antioxidants that come from the concoction are said to improve our immune system and better our heart and liver health.

Head online to see the DIY attempts at recreating the ‘in-vogue’ beverage. The Happy Pear have a step-by-step video that will get you started. Otherwise Synerchi, made in Donegal, is an Irish alternative available in SuperValu, Spar, Avoca Shop, and other health food stores.