Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Shen-chu (神麴, also known as Massa Medicata Fermentata or medicated leaven) is an ingredient traditionally used in Chinese medicine, especially for digestive disorders. Its application for treating abscesses is rooted more in traditional practice than in modern scientific validation. In classical Chinese medicine, shen-chu is believed to aid in resolving “food stagnation” and harmonizing the stomach, which, according to traditional theories, can indirectly support the body’s ability to clear toxins and swellings, including abscesses. Some traditional formulas for abscesses or swellings may include shen-chu as a supporting herb, under the theoretical framework that improving digestion and spleen function helps the body manage “phlegm” and “dampness,” often implicated in abscess formation in TCM. However, there is little direct evidence, even in the traditional literature, specifically linking shen-chu to the treatment of abscesses as a primary indication. Modern scientific research has not validated shen-chu for this use, and its main studied effects are related to digestive enzyme activity and gut microflora modulation. Therefore, its use for abscesses is justified by tradition, with only weak to moderate support even within that context, and virtually no scientific evidence supporting its efficacy for abscesses specifically.

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Nature's Sunshine Anti-Gas TCM