Effective Microorganisms, or EM is one of the most popular microbial technologies being used worldwide now. EM products have been on the market since 1983 in Japan, and can be found in local home center stores.

EM comes in a liquid form and consists of naturally-occurring beneficial microorganisms. These microorganisms in EM can easily be classified into three major groups: lactic acid bacteria (commonly found in dairy products), yeast (e.g. bread, beer), and phototrophic bacteria.

Throughout the world, EM applications are made in the farming, livestock, environmental clean-up (polluted waterways, lakes and lagoons), and health industries.

What EM is not
The microbes in EM are not harmful, pathogenic, genetically-engineered/modified (GMO), nor chemically-synthesized. Neither is EM a drug or fertilizer.

EM use for producing safety and healthy crops.

A large amount of chemical materials are used in the form of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers for the intention of producing vegetables and fruits of optimal shape, size and color. However, we know that most pesticides and herbicides can have harmful effects on not
only agricultural users, but also the consumers of the produce themselves.

Furthermore, these chemicals kill beneficial microbes in the soil and contaminate the surrounding air and water, leading to serious ecological destruction. This is where the use of EM comes in. Contrary to the traditional use of fertilizers, the purpose of EM is to increase the number of beneficial microorganisms in the soil, thus improving the soil's microbial health and promoting a healthy environment for plants.

Another benefit of EM revolves around the recent popularity of organic produce. The safe consumption of chemical-free produce has gained the public's attention. The use of EM in organic farming can certainly further enable the production of safe, non-toxic food.

EM can make the environment better.

EM environmental applications throughout the world have included:

・Converting kitchen garbage into nutrient-enriched compost
・Cleaning polluted waterways, lakes and lagoons
・Maintaining and operating septic systems, municipal wastewater treatment plants, and landfills/dump sites
・Producing nutritient-rich soil

Introduction of EM to health application

Microorganisms are found everywhere in the world. These highly adaptive microbes play an important role in the balance of the earth's eco-system, including the physical well-being of human beings.

Microbes possess the power of fermentation, and their uses are apparent in many aspects of our lives. Miso (soybean paste), soy sauce, wine, whiskey, cheese, natto (fermented soybeans) and bread, for example, are all produced with the use of the microbes. These products have caught people's attention for their health benefits.

Also, microbes themselves naturally exist in our bodies. It is a fact that microbes in our intestines help digestion, as well as help keep our bodies healthy.

In addition, the fermentation and antioxidant function of EM has been used to produce unique EM products, such as EM-X (a rice bran liquid dietary supplement) and EM Salt for human consumption.

A more recent and promising direction on the research of EM applications focuses on preventive medicine as an alternative to conventional medical treatment.