Shén Qū (神曲), known in English as Medicated leaven (Massa medicata fermentata), is a warm, sweet and acrid Chinese herb from the Relieve food stagnation category. It enters the Spleen and Stomach channels. Its main action: reduces food stagnation, harmonises Stomach.
| Pinyin | Shén Qū (Shen Qu) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 神曲 |
| English | Medicated leaven |
| Botanical name | Massa medicata fermentata |
| Category | Relieve food stagnation |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Sweet, Acrid |
| Channels | Spleen, Stomach |
| Dosage | 6–15g |
| Cautions | No food stagnation |
Actions
- Reduces food stagnation, harmonises Stomach
- Helps digest mineral herbs in formulas
Indications
- Food stagnation with epigastric distension, nausea
- Used to aid digestion of mineral herbs in formulas
How to remember Shén Qū
Relieve food stagnation herbs are mostly sweet, and most enter the Stomach and Spleen channels.
- You can work these out
- Sweet: like most Relieve food stagnation herbs
- Spleen channel: from its action “Helps digest mineral herbs in formulas”
- Stomach channel: from its action “harmonises Stomach”
- Learn by heart
- Warm: Relieve food stagnation herbs vary in nature
- Acrid: unusual for Relieve food stagnation herbs (most are sweet)
Formulas containing Shén Qū
Other Relieve food stagnation herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Shén Qū?
Shén Qū is warm and sweet and acrid.
Which channels does Shén Qū enter?
Shén Qū enters the Spleen and Stomach channels.
What are the actions of Shén Qū?
Reduces food stagnation, harmonises Stomach; Helps digest mineral herbs in formulas.
What is Shén Qū used for?
Food stagnation with epigastric distension, nausea; used to aid digestion of mineral herbs in formulas.
Which formulas contain Shén Qū?
Yuè Jū Wán, Cí Zhū Wán and Bǎo Hé Wán.
Practise Shén Qū and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.