If You Eat Too Much for Dinner, Try Shenqu
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, “life depends on stomach qi; no stomach qi means death.” Stomach qi refers to the overall function of the spleen and stomach, the source of qi and blood production. All nutrients required for human growth, development, and life maintenance depend on the spleen and stomach. Weak stomach qi severely affects metabolism and development. Thus, longevity requires nurturing the stomach. Although many ways exist to nurture the stomach, regularly consuming Shenqu—a digestive stimulant—is an excellent method.
Shenqu, also known as Liuqu, is made by fermenting ingredients like Amaranthus, Artemisia, apricot kernels, and others mixed with flour or bran. It has a warm nature and sweet-spicy taste, helping open the appetite, strengthen the spleen, regulate qi, and aid digestion. It is suitable for symptoms like abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and poor appetite. Modern research shows Shenqu contains amylase, yeast, and abundant B-complex vitamins, providing excellent digestive assistance.
If experiencing indigestion, combine with dangshen (Codonopsis), baizhu (Atractylodes), and zhi gancao (fried licorice). If prone to bloating, loose stools, fatigue, and shortness of breath, use Shenqu with baizhu, sharen (Amomi Fructus), chenpi (dried tangerine peel), and yiyiren (coix seed). If poor appetite accompanied by loss of interest, lethargy, and reduced speech, combine Shenqu with shanzha (hawthorn) and pig stomach.
Since fried Shenqu enhances its digestive power, it is commonly used as “charred Shenqu” in digestive remedies. Raw Shenqu, besides strengthening the spleen and opening the appetite, also has dispersing effects, so it is preferred for indigestion accompanied by cold and fever. Additionally, Shenqu aids in digesting and absorbing mineral-based medicines like cishi (magnetite) and daizhe shi (hematite), protecting the gastrointestinal tract. Dosage is generally 3–9 grams.
Practice proves that certain individuals benefit especially from Shenqu: those who eat dinner late, especially if dinner is heavy, can consume about 6 grams of Shenqu after meals to aid digestion; those in sub-health states with occasional bloating and poor appetite; and children with indigestion can regularly consume Shenqu.