The KInd Life Community Forum

I loooved it. I did notice the saltiness of it, but it wasn't a "nasty" saltiness that you get when you eat processed foods. I do have a couple of questions though if anyone knows...

The sodium content of one Umeboshi plum is 30% of the recommended sodium content. Any comments about that? The package that I bought (Eden) says to have one per day. What if you are sensitive to sodium, i.e., water retention? I have a bit of that, but maybe the alkaline benefits of the Ume plum counters that?

Also, I'm excited to see the benefits of the Ume plum. How long does it take to take effect into the body for energy and alkaline balance?

I do know though that when I had the plum it gave me an instant "high". Is that normal? Any other comments about how it makes any one else feel would be much appreciated.

I have a knee that has been really bothering me in the cold weather, and I notice that it doesn't hurt anymore, so I am wondering if that is one of the "instant" benefits?

Asian market ume plums come in all kinds, make sure the umeboshi plums are naturally made and are actual pickled plums. Many umeboshi plums in asian markets have red coloring, sugar, and vinegar, instead of the natural shiso leaves and sea salt. Obviously the artificual plums will be cheaper. Umeboshi plums that are made quick with sugar and chemicals and coloring do not have any true health effect as would naturally pickled plums. I had to sort through a large shelf of many plums styles and companies before I could find one that was an actual pickled plum without sugar or red artifical coloring.

Real plums are alkalizing and hardy, and typically people who eat lots of vegetables and litle meat find them especially powerful. They also make the meal much more savory. The way ume plums are made is purposfully done to avoid problems with salt overconsumption. You do not need more than a half plum or a quarter plum a day. If you are tuned to your body well then you can gauge if you are getting too much sodium which includes other sources as well.

Friday night I was "naughty" so I made the cure all tea first thing Saturday morning (very good btw) and then I sucked on the plum pit...ewwwwww :-( BUT, I felt sooooo much better :-)

Hi Daren

Thank you for that info about the cheaper umeboshi plums... it never even occured to me. I bought 2 kinds in the asian market....one looks exactly like the ones from the organic store (with the shiso leaves, sea salt etc), but the other pack is a much brighter red colour, with no leaves ... I would not be at all surprised if these are dyed with red food colouring, just as you warned.

What brand did you select?

Hi Amanda

I did try the Cure All Tea from TKD. It requires 1/4 of a plum. Even though it wasn't especially nice, I have found myself craving it & its milder than eating the plum on its own. Mostly though, I just have a cup of barley or rooibos tea first thing, then brace myself & just eat a whole plum. Then get on with breakfast. I think umeboshi plums will always be a bit of a love/hate relationship for some of us!