and no, I've never tried any of the things that you mentioned...will put them on my already loooong list... :)
About the carbonation....? THAT is a dang good question! THIS carbonation is the result of microbial activity...The other is forced....hmmmm...who can answer that question for us?
BTW, Essiac is durn tasty...tastes like...good dirt! "Dirt" is, to me, a GOOD word... :)