i can't believe this just happened. my tea is almost done. i have been making buhner tea for almost a year now. i get the cut and dried herbs from 1st chinese. i was just finishing up putting everything away and there are little black/brown worms in the knotweed.
i don't know for sure if they are in the tea simmering on the stove. i don't know for sure if they have been in all the other batches of tea i made.
the tea makes me better!!!! i'm doing so good. i feel awful when i run out...but am i cooking and drinking worms?????
please someone who knows help me with this???
i don't know what to do...i DON'T want to stop the tea.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- First. If the batch of tea on the stove is from the bag with visitors, I'd not drink it.
Clarification needed from your comment: "just finishing up putting everything away"
Do you mean from a shipment that arrived today or from your having made your tea and putting it back into your cupboard?
* If the latter: How was this stored in your cupboard? Was it in an air tight glass jar? If not, check everything else in your cupboard. These should all be in tightly sealed glass containers, the kind with the metal lever and rubber seal.
* If the former: call the company and talk to them. They would want to know and can help with figuring this out.
If you've not noticed them before, my guess is that they've not been there before.
There is always a solution. You'll be able to enjoy your tea again. Just think if you were out in the jungle. You'd have all sorts of visitors. But, you will be able to get a fresh batch of just plant material with no visiting diners. I'm sure of it. -
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
If you have been feeling better from it, I wouldn't worry. It actually may be a good sign that the herbs don't have alot of pesticides in them.
I would discontinue using them & call the company. See if you can get some more either from them or another supplier.
People take lumbourkinase here all the time. It made from earthworms... No need to panic. Maybe they are some new, secret cure?
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- If visitors are from the cupboard/cabinet:
The seal on this kind of glass canister is the only type that will keep bugs out of grains, etc. that we store in the cupboards. There are different brands but those a latch with rubber seal are best.
Store in a cool dark place. Light can destroy some nutrients. So can heat. I keep my grains and legumes in these out on a bookcase in the kitchen as there are just too many heavy containers to put in the cabinet.
However, for any loose herbs, the dark is really best. -----------
P.S. I have to keep regular flour in the refrig. You wouldn't believe what "hatches" if flour is kept in the cupboard for many months in a southern state...even sealed.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
no-the stored herbs were fine . it was the new knotweed. the other new herbs were ok.
so i guess i shold call them...and throw my tea away?????? grrrrr. it was two weeks worth and took two hours to make.
i'm not sure if i could get it down knowing it was full of worms.
once i ate half a worm in a sweetpotato. it was wicked bitter tasign. if that taste is in my tea i would know it
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Seal up the herbs, very tightly in a glass jar.
Call the company. Find out more. They need to know ASAP so they can inspect their shipment and address the problem.
Also, keep your packing details, the carrier, the shipping code. It could have be from the delivery truck. You may want to check the box and handle accordingly.
As for the emotional aspect, I consider myself a wimp and a baby. Many hundreds of thousands of people eat bugs every day - and feel blessed for the nutrients. So, if one happens to find me, I just have to remember that. My living conditions are just sterile, considering how humans have lived for millions of years, in tune with nature.
Move ahead one step at a time. it will get better. Adrenal support may help you get over this shock. I think things upset us more because of lyme. -
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
Interesting article, Marnie. Of course, the drug form of resveratrol is the only one worth taking... LOL. How about "the French paradox"?
I'm not so sure I believe this but it is interesting to note that transdermal or under the tongue may be better ways to ingest resveratrol. Maybe we could make a bath product, moisturizer?
Maybe tea is good since you sip it...? It has a chance to be absorbed through the under the tongue method. Or, like with wine...?
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
keebler-i'll call them tomorrow-i just got the box out of the trash-well-recycling
i think they are all dead so i don''t know if they would curl up---they weren't dead when i fist saw them-but i picked them up with a wet papertowel and put them in a sealed baggie
the herbs come in sealed plastic or tinfoil packages...so i dont reallly think it was the box
as far as sipping the tea-sometimes i do -i mix it with another herb te---but lots of times i mix it with a juice or other cold drink...and guzzle it
i'm on adrenal support
thanks to all of you
oh-when i strained it tonight i didn't see any. i don't know if they melted into the ligued or what...i saved the leftover hers and will look closer at them---i hate to lose this batch. i'm tryig to think of bugs as protein.
i think they might look like mini mealy bugs...sort of black and brown striped-i didn't really research it much tho-anyone know?
i'm gonna try to read marnies stuff now. i usually have trouble understanding it.
thanks to all
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
"In general, millipedes are harmless, unlike their centipede counterparts, many of which can bite and sting. All millipedes, when disturbed, can emit a foul liquid that has the potential to irritate sensitive skin. The chemical emission can also become more serious if it reaches a human mouth or eyes. Larger, tropical millipedes, which are sometimes acquired as pets, may produce heavier concentrations of chemical defense. Hand washing is recommended after handling any millipede although the staining liquid may take a few days to disappear entirely. Otherwise, they won't invade pantries or cause damage to home structures. They also do not carry diseases or munch on clothing. "
yuk. i feel sick to my stomach now.
Posted by heiwalove (Member # 6467) on :
keebler, any place to buy those jars inexpensively?
Posted by littlebit27 (Member # 24477) on :
quote:Originally posted by heiwalove: keebler, any place to buy those jars inexpensively?
Yes-Wal-Mart. I bought a set of 4 (not for my herbs but kitchen stuff) for $16.
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
Are the bugs in your herbs centipedes...? May be a different bug?
----
You can get mason jars to store stuff. They sell them in different sizes - usually a case of 12 or so. You can also get new lids separately when needed. They are quite cheap.
Some supermarkets sell them or usually Wal-mart or stores like that.
I save alot of jars - like from tomato sauce or jam. You can use them for all kinds of stuff. Recycling...LOL
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
i should have gotten back here sooner. i just want to be sure 1st chinese was great. they handled it immedatly. checked their supply and didn't find any worms as far as i know. they said it had neverhappened before. they sent me a new bag of knotweed the next day-from a different supplyer than the one i had gotten. they sent a prepaid box for me to send back the wormy stuff.
i tossed the tea i made and will have to make more.
so far no one knws what happened but i still trust them and think they did everythng they could.
Posted by supergirl (Member # 26936) on :
I'm so glad I read this post. I've been using raw chinese herbs rx by my acupuncturist for 4 years now and have never stored them in jars before. but, I will going forward. Eek! Have I been drinking worms all this time?! lol
Posted by 'Kete-tracker (Member # 17189) on :
Great service, LP!! New knotweed shipped right out & a pre-paid return box & all. The original supplier will likely be asking for that wormy stuff back to examine.
I've always used glass "mayo jars", with the lined covers. I keep the raw herbs and teas down "below" in a cupboard where it's a bit cooler. -M.S.
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
just to be clear---the worms had nothing to do with how i stored the herbs. they came in the plastic bag with the knotweed from the company.
the other 3 herbs i got in that order and the herbs i have gotten for a year never had them.
and the way i store them never had them.
i'm sure glass is best-but sometimes i have to use baggies.
Posted by canefan17 (Member # 22149) on :
lpyak,
Just out of curiosity what are the other 3 herbs you get?