Shen Qu
N/A (fermented preparation of flour, Polygonum hydropiper, Artemisia annua, Prunus armeniaca, Vigna angularis, Xanthium sibiricum)
☯ TCM Properties
Promotes Digestion and Resolves Food Stagnation; Harmonizes the Stomach; Strengthens the Spleen; Regulates Qi and Harmonizes the Middle Burner; Releases the Exterior
Botanical Description
Shen Qu, known in English as medicated leaven or massa medicata fermentata, is not a single botanical species but a compound preparation in the Chinese materia medica produced by mixing wheat flour and wheat bran with the fresh herbs Artemisia annua (Qing Hao), Polygonum hydropiper (Liao), Xanthium sibiricum (Cang Er), and the juices of bitter almond and red bean. The dampened mixture is packed into blocks or cakes and allowed to ferment under controlled humidity until colonized by molds, yeasts, and bacteria, producing a fragrant yellow-brown mass. The cakes are then sun-dried, broken into pieces, and often further dry-roasted before dispensing. As a fermented preparation, the resulting drug contains digestive enzymes, organic acids, and microbial metabolites, and is classified within the category of food-stagnation resolving agents in traditional Chinese medicine.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-12g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Shen Qu (medicated leaven) is a fermented preparation of several herbal ingredients combined with wheat or rice bran. It reduces food stagnation from undigested grains and starchy foods, improves appetite, and harmonizes the Stomach. It is especially useful after overeating or in cases of Spleen-Stomach weakness with chronic digestive sluggishness. As a prepared fermented substance, it assists the digestive process with a gentle, food-compatible action.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.