BOLTON hypnotist Peter Powers reckons his home brew is the perfect tonic for anyone feeling under the weather.

When Peter says he is 'brewing up' he uses not only tea and a little sugar but a special additional ingredient - fungus.

And now he wants the word to 'mushroom' around town in a bid to make Bolton a healthier place.

The fungus in question is called 'Kombucha' and is said to originate from Russia, where it was known to be used at the turn of the century.

Since then word has spread to America and more recently Australia, where Peter first sampled its influence.

The fungus looks like a slimy, rubbery pancake. Placed in sweetened tea, it floats on the surface reacting with the liquid to provide a brew which is said to not only boost the immune system but has also been linked to curing more specific ailments.

People who have enjoyed results by drinking 'Kombucha' have suffered with things such as asthma, psoriasis, liver and kidney disease. Peter of Queensgate, Bolton, said: "While much of it is anecdotal, I have been producing the brew for a friend of mine - a lady of almost 60 years who had to have part of her liver removed due to cancer.

"The woman from Bolton was told after the surgery that she would have to take life easy for quite some time. She drinks a couple of wine glasses of the brew a day and has recovered really quickly. Now, just a few months on, she has even started decorating her house.

"I am currently brewing for six people but would like to set up a network for people to brew their own . It is so easy. All people need is a bit of sugar and tea. I also mix in a few herbs for their flavour and healing properties.

"I would be willing to provide people with their own fungus. For just £5, the fungus bought would last forever. In fact each time a brew is made, it multiplies and can be stored for several months in an airtight container in the fridge. "The people I brew for are people who felt they could not manage it for themselves. I do it for nothing because the materials are so cheap, and thought it would be nice for others as part of the network to do the same. That way people could find the brew readily available throughout Bolton."

Peter, a professional hypnotist, says he takes the brew every day. He said: " The brew definitely gives me more energy.

"I have been doing a season in Glasgow. Two shows a day, the last finishing at 2 to 3am. By the time I get home it is 7am and my young children make it impossible for me to get much sleep. I then take them every week to karate and the last thing I usually feel like doing is jumping up and down - yet since taking the brew I have definitely had more energy."

Anyone interested should contact Peter on 01706 371653.

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