massa medicata fermentata (National Research Foundation of Korea)

Massa Medicata Fermentata (MMF), also known as Shen Qu or Medicated Leaven (炒神曲), is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) product made by fermenting a mixture of wheat flour, bran, and various herbal ingredients such as Artemisia annua herba and apricot kernel. It has been used for over 2,000 years in TCM to support digestive health. MMF is not a single chemical entity but rather a composite functional food containing yeast and lactic acid bacteria from fermentation along with bioactive compounds like quercetin. Its primary indications are for relieving food stagnation and indigestion symptoms such as bloating, poor appetite, diarrhea due to spleen deficiency or cold stagnation in the stomach. Pharmacological studies show that MMF exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo[1]. It can modulate gut microbiota composition—restoring balance disrupted by high-fat diets or dyspepsia—and improve gastrointestinal motility[6][10]. The mechanisms are thought to involve both direct effects of its phytochemicals (e.g., quercetin) on oxidative stress pathways and indirect modulation of intestinal flora leading to improved metabolic profiles[1][6][10]. In TCM practice it is often processed further by roasting ("chao") or scorching ("jiao"), which may enhance its ability to strengthen the spleen and harmonize the stomach[5]. MMF is typically administered orally as part of decoctions or pills.

Other names

shen qumedicated leavenchao shen qu炒神曲神曲茶shen chu chaliu shen qu