Effective Microorganisms (有用・微生物群, "Yūyō・Biseibutsugun") or EM is a technology first coined by Dr. Teruo Higa (比嘉照夫博士) of Japan. The technical translation from Japanese to English is "Effective Microorganisms". It is known generically as "beneficial and efficient or effective microorganisms technology". People refer to it descriptively as "EM Technology".
Dr. Teruo Higa realized that there are three general forms of soil microbes involved with the process of growing plants that create a soil called a zymogenic soil. His research showed that specific types of microorganisms tended to exist in certain proportions in healthy soil environments and in water. From this he developed the formula for Effective Microorganisms™, a proprietary and trademarked formula sold through EM Research Organization affiliate offices throughout the world, which contains specific types of Lactobacillus, Phototrophic Bacteria (PNSB), and Yeasts. Within Effective Microorganisms™ these microorganisms exist as a consortium or in a symbiotic relationship to one another.
Agricultural
EM is used to make EM-Bokashi (EMぼかし). Bokashi (ぼかし) is an old vernacular word in Japanese that translates into English as fermented organic matter. EM Bokashi is generally used to ferment food waste. Sometimes it can be made with manures and made into a bio-active fertilizer. When the EM-Bokashi is applied to garden soil, dramatic results may be realized for the harvest season. Even more amazing is the application of EM-Bokashi to soils that are not fertile or denuded in some other way. In a remarkably short time the soil is productive.
Over the years this process has been expanded and refined. The various microbe classes may be applied independently of one another (EM-1, EM-2, EM-3, EM-4 and EM-5 (Stochu)) for different needs in the agricultural and orcharding operations in a few countries that still sell the components.
In several countries SCD, EMRO and their partners market special composting bins to ferment food wastes for gardening and agricultural applications. The technique used is very similar to traditional methods of vinegar production or the antique way of producing kombucha or kvass.
EM is used in the home like a probiotic disinfectant for the bath and kitchen, as well as for disinfection of the septic system, as a natural drain cleaner, and to reduce the biosolids in sewage treatment. The process is akin to the use of peptidases and ureases for proteolytic degradation. EM has also been impregnated into ceramic disks for water purification.
In fact, whole towns in the Kyoto Prefecture using EM technology are running on biogas from household organic matter. See Kyoto Protocol.
Health
Recently it has been realized that these microbes are the same as those in our beneficial intestinal flora. During the fermentation process, the microorganisms of EM produce wide range of antioxidants. Several health beverages are sold made from EM which are used as antioxidant, dietary mineral, and probiotic supplement. Thus EM-X and Xtra (EM) are used internally with great results for intestinal problems like cholangiocarcinoma, colorectal cancer, IBS, and for liver cancer. Recently, ProEM1 (probiotic), "Vita Biosa™" (probiotic), and "Fervita™" (probiotic) products have been released into the health markets by EMRO USA Effective Microorganisms in Tucson, Arizona and Sustainable Community Development,LLC ("SCD"), in Kansas City, Missouri, respectively.
The EM Research Organization, EMRO, has also employed the use of EM-Technology in the relief efforts of the tsunami that ravaged Thailand in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake. EM treatments were sprayed along the beaches to prevent the spread of disease pathogens from all the decaying bodies, and to reduce the noxious fumes.
Sustainable Community Development, LLC ("SCD")is now developing a hurricane relief team to clean up pollution after a natural disaster. The beneficial effects of SCD "Super Activated EM" (SAEM™)donations are already being seen in the area.
Waste Treatment
EM beneficial microorganisms are used to treat solid waste or wastewater; reducing odors, sludge and improving water quality in lagoons, ponds, solid waste, lift stations, sewer lines and livestock holding facilities.
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