Effective Micro-organisms … something for all of us

Effective Micro-organisms – Exciting News – Meeting?
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I have spoken to Lindsay and Charmian about this and they suggested that
I post the following information about Effective Micro-organisms and a
meeting which we have planned … The article was forwarded to me by
Fran Box of EM Ltd from Honiton

As you will see, there are so many applications for EM that it is of interest to many of the TT Forums. It would be good to network it to any friends who are into OG Gardening, Farming and of course to everyone you know wanting to make a powerful contribution to lowering waste and helping to clear up the environment. Sorry it is a long article, but it is so important and widely used in Japan, Thailand and MANY other countries all over the world. It is over 20 years ‘old’ so not a flash-in-the-pan technology.

I have been using it since July and if anyone wants to pop over and see what we are doing with household foodwaste/composting etc, give me a call 01872 870801 … we are near Perranwell Station.

MEETING?
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We only have a small window before Christmas, so if anyone is interested
could they give feedback asap.

You can contact me on 01872 870801 for more details or email ‘offline’
to pcksmith@talktalk.net

Here’s the Email from Fran to Charmian Larke:

Dear Charmian

It will be a great opportunity to speak at a Transition meeting in
Cornwall as EM can play a role in aiding communities to reach goals in
sustainability and regeneration.

EM stands for Effective Micro-organisms which is a collective name for a
microbial liquid which has many uses and of which we are continually
researching and developing new products.

Our company was started in 2005 and represents EMRO which is the parent
organisation in Japan which has developed the product and continues to
endeavour to promote the use of non-chemical solutions to pollution and
an improved wellbeing.

We are active in several markets , including agriculture, waste water
treatment, recycling, composting and health promotion. I suggest that a
talk on the uses in the home and garden will be most appropriate and
attach our brochure for you to see.

Peter is keen to have the talk this year rather than next and I look
forward to any suggestions of possible dates .

I have pasted an article below by Caroline Robertson which gives an
overall report on many facets of EM across the globe.

Looking forward to hearing back from you

Fran Box

EM Effective Micro-organisms Ltd

Unit 5 & 6, Don Hatch Business Park,

Combe Raleigh, Honiton, EX14 4TQ

Tel: 01404 549000

http://www.effectivemicro-organisms.co.uk

http://www.emna.eu

The EM Eco-Revolution
by Caroline Robertson

Imagine a chemical-free world with pristine air, food and water.
This utopian ideal seemed impossible until a Japanese scientist
discovered the earth-saving solution of Effective Microorganisms (EM).
With endless applications in agricultural, industrial and domestic
areas, EM is being hailed as one of history’s greatest environmental
breakthroughs.

Miracle Microorganisms

In 1980 when horticulture professor Dr. Teruo Higa threw away a series
of common microorganisms he was stunned to see several days later that
the grass there had grown greener and denser. For over a decade Dr. Higa
had been exploring the regenerative power of microorganisms for use in
agriculture. Deeply concerned about the earth’s environmental crisis,
Dr. Higa searched for a solution to revitalize soil and increase crop
yields thereby combating world hunger. His honed beneficial brew called
EM included 80 safe microorganisms containing common food fermenters
such as yeast, fermenting fungi, actinomycetes, photosynthetic and
lactic acid bacteria.

But to everyone’s surprise, EM not only regenerated soil and boosted
crops in record time; it emerged as an amazing water purifier,
chemical-free cleaner, quick composter, deodoriser, preservative, health
boosting antioxidant and probiotic. The brown liquid blend free from
genetically modified material is now used to nurture healthy
homoeostasis within one’s inner and outer environment.

EM excitement escalated in Japan with schools, farms, government bodies
and households adopting it as an affordable and effective alternative to
chemicals. Dr. Higa patented the process and set up the EM Research
Organisation (EMRO) as a non-profit organization to research and promote
EM technology throughout the world with profits going to developing
countries. Today EM is employed in over 120 countries as a low cost,
sustainable agricultural aid, water and sewerage purifier, deodoriser,
cleanser and health tonic.

I first encountered EM whilst visiting Thailand’s Tao Garden Health
Retreat and Spa in 2005. Struck by the flavoursome food, fertile gardens
and fresh smell in the villas, the manager Walter Kellenberger
attributed it all to EM. “Since using EM for cleaning and gardening
our organic crops are healthier than ever and we’ve abandoned all
harsh cleaning chemicals.” Access to the full EM experience can be
found at the world’s first fully EM built and maintained hotel and spa
launched in Okinawa, September, 2005. The EM Wellness Centre and Hotel
showcases the scope of EM with all building materials, furnishings,
bedding, toiletries, cleaning agents and food produced with EM
technology.

EM-POWER

How can a mix of everyday microorganisms have such magical effects?
Though the merits of cultures such as acidophilus and kombucha are well
documented it’s now believed that a synergistic solution of
microorganisms give longer, stronger benefits than a single one. The
genius of Dr. Higa’s EM discovery is the happy marriage of both
aerobic and anaerobic microbes, previously thought to be incompatible.

EM’s unique formula inhibits malevolent molecules and promotes
beneficial bugs, enzymes, nutrients and proteins. This enhances
regeneration and reduces degeneration to the degree that it is being
used in the Hurricane Katrina aftermath to halt the spread of disease
and odours.

EM’s phototrophic bacteria degrade harmful substances and release
healthy organic complexes such as antioxidants. The same lactic acid
used in yoghurt sterilizes pathogens and decomposes organic matter.
Fermenting fungi and yeasts secrete B vitamins, nourishing plant growth
with phyto-nutrients that suppress odours and putrefaction. EM’s
actinomycetes produce anti-microbial substances that suppress harmful
microbes. The three groups synergistically form a foundation on which
beneficial life thrives.

EM intelligently enhances ecological harmony, adapting to each
circumstance rather than being an indiscriminant antibiotic, antifungal,
herbicide or insecticide. It trigger’s nature’s innate balancing
mechanism to re-establish equilibrium in a sustainable way.

Dr Higa also attributes EM’s efficacy to the positive wave resonance
it releases promoting substance and energy field unity. This is clearly
evident from the food and flowers produced with EM as their colour and
form far outshines those conventionally cultivated. As evident in the
award winning orchids, herbs and fruits of the Tropical Plant Resources
Research Institute of Okinawa, Japan. Company President Toichiro Nago
says, “As EM prevents oxidation and produces antioxidants it also
cultivates produce that lasts longer and has higher nutritional value.”
The International Nature Farming Research centre verifies this claim
finding that crops grown with EM have less nitrate ions, decreasing the
plant’s pest and pathogen susceptibility, and higher vitamin C and
carbohydrate levels.

Planetary and Personal Panacea

Scanning through EM educational material I’m struck by its wide range
of uses. Smiling Japanese school kids pour it into polluted waterways
with sparkling results. Thai relief workers spray it on Tsunami hit
regions and victims to prevent disease and decay. Housewives clean and
deodorize every area of the house with it. Gardeners proudly display
it’s produce of perfect flowers and food. Breast cancer patients in
Lahore drink EM-X with tangible benefits. Residents of Kenya’s biggest
slum enjoy the improved sanitation and smell it brings. Swimmers at a
Kawasaki school pool no longer get asthma, skin and eye irritations
since EM replaced chlorine. Pig, chicken and dairy farmers are amazed at
its ability to neutralize foul odours, compost their waste and boost
animal’s health. Following are the many fields in which EM is reaping
revolutionary results.

Water purification and recycling

Pure water is essential for healthy, prosperous living. With around
1,000 million people lacking access to safe drinking water in developing
countries it’s estimated that 80% of deaths are due to contaminated
water, at least ten million a year1. With the water pollution problem
expected to increase by up to eighteen times by 2025, a change of tide
is crucial.

EM may provide an answer. Wide scale trials have proven EM can
effectively purify water for safe consumption and recycle sewerage and
wastewater for agricultural irrigation. As EM America’s Executive Vice
President Eric Lancaster says, “EM will basically make lagoon water
into swimming water at a fraction of the cost and time.” EM also
eliminates foul odour from septic tanks, reduces sludge in sewerage
systems and controls excess algae, slime and salination. Australia’s
VRM group are at the forefront of sewerage spill management. Their
successful EM treatment of a Mackay sewerage flood led to less odour,
toxic water and damage to wildlife than generally occurs with accidents
of equal magnitude.

Rapid industrialization in Japan has led to heavy pollution of its
waterways. In attempts to reverse the damage EM is being used by
enthusiastic locals and government bodies to purify Japan’s Yab river
in Tochigi, Ainoya river in Ibaraki, Ariake Sea in Nagasaki and Seto
Inland Sea at Hiroshima. In these areas they are seeing increases in
marine wildlife numbers including octopus, shrimp, cucumbers, crabs in
response to EM.

EM zealots gather in groups to baptize Japan’s waters with EM.
Environmental teams such as the one at Kyushu Island are dedicated to
‘ecological cleaning activities’, which include using at least 1
litre of EM each a month to purify water and soil. In Akitsu, Hiroshima
since 60% of the population started using EM for domestic cleaning and
gardening the town’s water quality has improved significantly. In
Zamami Village, Okinawa, after EM reduced the foul odour of 60,000 tons
of dam water, 60% of residents reported an improved quality of water and
the previously toxic readings of trihalomethane were lowered to a
harmless level.

Bangkok has been using EM for years to reduce the foul odours and toxic
water of shrimp farms, treat waste and improve water. Governor Samak of
Bangkok endorses EM, “We are achieving good results with EM. We will
continue to actively use it.”

EM’s cost-effectiveness is evident at Gushikawa City Library where
since they started sewerage processing with EM annual costs reduced from
$10,000 US to only $500 US. And when Hotel Nikko in Arivilla switched
from chemicals to EM to treat their water they reduced expenditure by 5
million yen a year.

Agricultural wastewater not only pollutes waterways but is a massive
waste when not recycled. Purification projects worldwide solved this
problem in places such as Nanning city, China where they treat Cassava
wastewater to reuse and purify Lake Weishan which was ruined by paper
mill pollution. EM can also effectively eradicate serious pathogens as
illustrated in Iwaki City, Fukushima where E. coli colony counts were
reduced from 275 to 12.

Rivers and lakes overloaded by run-off containing agricultural
fertilizers, household detergents, organic waste, urban stormwater
drainage and the occasional oil and chemical spill can be treated
effectively with EM. With water damage EM was successfully applied by
the German government after the Elbe River flood disasters of 2002 to
decontaminate the toxic waters and prevent mold growth in the flooded
buildings. And according to deputy Mayor Mr. Koji Yamawaki. EM removed
Hiroshima’s Utsumi canal’s thick toxic sludge in a matter of months.

An innovative use of EM is using it to convert wastewater sludge and
turning it into potent fertilizer. This is being done by compost company
Green Sun Co. Ltd by mixing the town’s wastewater sludge with EM, rice
bran and chicken manure and making it into pelletised organic
fertilizer.

Agriculture

Serious health and environmental concerns raised by chemical farming are
leading more people to prefer organic produce. EM and Kyusei Nature
farming methods support this trend by promoting agriculture that is
productive, profitable, energy conserving, environmentally sound and
safe for consumption.

One of the biggest agricultural problems is the lack of nutrients and
topsoil due to chemicals, row- crop production and intensive tillage. EM
solves this problem by reinstating millions of microorganisms to the
soil turning it into eco-gold. This sustainable soil called zymogenic
soil creates the most conducive growing conditions.

A soil rich in minerals and regenerative microorganisms provides optimum
production levels, reduces disease and produces top quality crops all
without chemicals. As Dr. Teruo Higa says, “EM technology in
agriculture not only does away with the need for agricultural chemicals
and artificial fertilizers, but achieves better results in every way
than when they are used.” When EM is introduced to soil it
competitively excludes pathogens, pests and weeds; nurtures nutrients
and earthworms; decomposes organic matter and detoxifies chemicals. This
rich soil environment promotes plant germination, flowering, ripening
and increases crop quality and quantity. As Dr. Teruo Higa explains,
“At the present time, average yields for rice grown using conventional
methods are currently running at nine bales per 10 acres. Nevertheless,
within only a few years of instigating the use of EM, we have seen rice
yields rise to 14-15 bales/10 acres.” This shift from chemical farming
to organic practices can yield better crops within a year as Hiroshima
Ikeda farming brothers testify, “After using EM for one year our rice
harvest yielded 70% more than the previous year.” Mr. Osamu Saito,
vice president of Kitamura EM Farming confers, “Activated EM has
markedly reduced disease and improved yields of vegetables.”

As developing countries prone to food shortages need EM technology
urgently the charitable, non-profit EM Research Foundation are
channeling profits into agricultural projects in countries such as
India, Sri Lanka, Africa and South America.

Recycling Waste

Throwaway, consumer societies are accumulating more garbage than the
earth can accommodate. The US alone creates 222 million tons of garbage
annually and at least 60% of that goes to overflowing landfills. Food
scraps comprising about 11% of this landfill decay stink, attract
rodents, emit dangerous greenhouse gases and don’t decompose
completely. Whereas with the aid of EM many countries are proving that
it can easily be converted to valuable soil- enriching compost.

A model EM example is the Izumiohtsu factory of Sumitomo Rubber
Industries Ltd, which used to pay for garbage removal until 1999 when
they began composting the waste from 14,000 meals a month and selling it
back to employees. Since the Sapporo Grand Hotel started treating their
waste with EM it no longer emits a foul odour, processing costs were
lowered by 30% and they recycled waste into fertilizer for farmers. Also
in Japan, Funao town converts 22% of their garbage to compost, reducing
their annual garbage by 300 tons and saving vast sums on disposal costs.
In Pune, India, since 2002 the city garbage has been sprayed with EM
from a fire engine daily and compost is made ready to go to farmers
within fifty days. In Hanoi since 2001, the Cau Dien Compost Factory has
been collecting 160 tons of organic waste a day from the city market
and, with EM, converting it into compost within 38 days.

Other countries where large scale EM waste management is saving money
and the environment include China, Korea, Burma, Vietnam, New Zealand,
Thailand, Africa and South America.

An easy way to recycle household waste is to compost organic garbage
into garden food using EM Bokashi. Householders are finding EM composts
their organic waste in a month as opposed to six months when using
conventional composting methods. There is also only a very mild sour
smell and none of the heat, gas or bugs associated with aerobic compost
methods. If more people employed EM composting the soil would revitalise
and landfill reduce in record time. Such as in Yanagawa City, Fukuoka,
where 13,000 households are using free activated EM for garbage
composting, replenishing soil and purifying water.

Since 1996 the composting concept has been taken to many schools by the
Bokashi Outreach Network Program in the US. It aims to train kids to
take steps towards an environmental solution rather than perpetuating
the problem. Teachers such as Pusch Ridge’s ‘recycle Queen’, Nancy
Gifford are introducing EM in a school-wide program to compost cafeteria
waste. She also uses EM in the school’s small garden and sends students
home with Bokashi bags to bury. In Yoetsu Junior School, Kamakura City,
450 students started learning about EM since 1996. All students are
given composting bokashi buckets and were excited to see that their EM
composted garbage made their school corn crop grow faster, larger and
tastier corn than those grown without EM. Also in Australia the
‘Scraps from Lunch to Lunch from Scraps’ program run in ten Adelaide
schools showed children how to recycle food into fertilizer. Bertram
Hawker Kindergarten children benefited according to director Margie
Colton, “It’s allowed them to see the cycle of how things can be
used again to grow food.”

Animal Husbandry

When Japan’s Tamaki dairy farm fed cows EM fodder and sprinkled it in
their stalls they noticed remarkable changes. Within two weeks the bad
odour disappeared, the milk increased and mastitis was almost
eradicated. Other benefits of using EM with livestock are that it
discourages flies and pests, improves animal’s digestion and produces
great dung for fertilizer. Research from ARC-Onderstepoot Veterinary
Institute also demonstrates the ability of EM to prevent the growth of
pathogenic microbes including those causing botulism and salmonella
poisoning. In the Netherlands amongst the 1,000 farmers using it agree
that EM reduces livestock illness, improves milk quality and creates
cleaner water and living conditions.

Aquaculture

Fish farms are notorious water polluters. EM has revolutionized
aquaculture operations worldwide with shrimp farms in Thailand and fish
farms in Cairo, Austria and Japan reporting cleaner water, increased
fish numbers and natural weed control after converting from chemicals to
EM. The Spital/Pyhrn Fish Farm in Austria found fish numbers doubled
after employing EM and farm maintenance costs significantly reduced.

Building

Sick house syndrome is a phenomenon where chemical fumes from carpets,
paints, building and decorating materials create debilitating symptoms
in susceptible people. In order to prevent sick house syndrome and
increase a building’s longevity, 150 EM houses have been built by
Sansyodo Inc, Aichi, Japan. Since Mr. Hattori moved into his EM house he
says there is “no more sneezing and less flies and mosquitoes.” Mr.
Sakamoto is happy that he no longer suffers from asthma attacks and his
grand daughter’s eczema cleared up. Other residents report that their
migraines and allergies have disappeared. The house is healthier too
with EM preventing concrete cancer, white ants, termites, rising damp,
mould and wood rot.

Health

Therapeutic applications of EM-X, the EM and herb infused tonic, are
slowly emerging. EM-X contains 18 amino acids, 40 trace minerals, and
dozens of antioxidant compounds and enzymes. Scientific and clinical
trials have established EM-X’s ability to regenerate cells and destroy
degenerative influences such as cancer cells and free radicals.
Scientists claim that EM-X releases positive wave resonance that
promotes regeneration and assimilation of nutrients.

Chinese medical research revealed that EM-X markedly inhibited human
cancer cells involving breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma and
chronic myelogenous leukemia cells.2 Parkinson’s patients may find
EM-X helps reduce neural degeneration, following research conducted by
the Imperial College London supporting EM-X’s neuroprotective ability.3

Anecdotal evidence of EM-X-‘s anti-cancer quality’s abound. Chinese
doctor Huirong Tao, who is associated with the Toushi Clinic in Hokkaido
Japan, cites the success stories of four cancer patients treated with
EM-X and a special diet. Their tumours, whether situated in the chest,
the prostate or the liver, diminished significantly and in some cases
disappeared. Mamdooh Ghoneum, an immunologist at the University of
Medicine and Science in Drew, California, has also shown that EM-X
stimulates activity in natural killer cells, an essential factor in the
attempt to control cancer.

Because EM-X contains living organisms it responds differently according
to the individual’s internal environment. Experimenting with EM-X
myself for a month I found it made my body hum. I could feel an
energetic buzz pulsing from through my palms and feet, which stabilised
my previously bad circulation.

Beauty

EM’s natural yeasts, amino acids and alpha hydroxy acids support the
skin’s natural renewal cycle and pH balance. The skincare brand SK-II
applies the same principle as EM through the use of fermented sake
filtrate. The formula called Pitera has been scientifically proven to
increase skin metabolism by 70%. Because EM encourages regenerative
dermal microorganisms users say it softens the skin, smoothes wrinkles
and makes hair grow back to its original colour and softness. This has
led to EM face creams, shampoos and soaps. Staff at Japan’s Amayama
hospital for aged care also claim that EM infused water is much gentler
on sensitive elderly skin.

Domestic cleaning

Satisfied housewives with EM bottles illustrate its innumerable uses in
EM publications. Not only an effective substitute for chemical
cleansers, EM actually purifies rather than pollutes the air and
waterways. From large scale environmental cleanups to domestic kitchens
EM is used to remove mould and grime, eliminate foul odours, replace
washing powders, reduce insects, clear pipes and cleanse everything from
pets, floors and walls.

EM Forms

Because EM is a living technology, it is flexible in its application,
and therefore comes in a variety of forms. These include liquids,
granular material and ceramics. Since EM’s available under many names
this can cause confusion however the most common name for the original
ferment is EM-1. Subsequent cultures from this are often called
activated EM. Though imitations are available, only the EM trademarked
product can be trusted for quality and efficacy.
The registered trademark name for the original liquid microbial product
is EM•1®. EM•1® can be used as a starter culture and grown one
time for economical benefits. This growing process, similar to making
wine or beer, is called Activation. The resulting product is referred to
as Activated EM•1® or AEM•1®. Though imitations are available,
only the EM•1® trademarked product can be trusted for quality and
efficacy. All authentic products that are made with permission from EM
Research Organization bare the EM logo.

Following is a list of EM products.
– EM-X is a golden, tasteless health tonic fermented from EM-1,
antioxidant herbs and organic rice.
– EM-5 (Sutochu) is a highly effective natural pesticide and insect
repellent made from fermented EM-1, alcohol, vinegar, molasses and
anti-oxidant plants.
– Fermented Plant Extract (FPE) is a powerful plant fertilizer made from
freshly cut grasses, weeds and crop residues fermented with EM-1.
– EM Togishiru is starchy water, molasses and EM-1 used as an effective
domestic cleanser and air freshener.
– EM mud balls are used for water and soil remediation.
– EM Bokashi is a dry composting mix combining EM-1 and organic material
to convert food into fertilizer. It may include rice bran, corn bran,
wheat bran, maize flour, rice husk, bean husk, rice straw, animal dung,
sawdust and coconut fiber.
– EM Ceramics. Since EM survives very high heat it can be baked into
silica clay ceramics. In water these ceramics break down the water
particles to increase its bioavailability and resistance to malefic
microbes. The water is said to reverse oxidation and elicit beneficial
magnetic resonance to enhance natural cell regeneration. Ceramics can be
added to cooking rice, deep frying food, fish tanks and powdered into
paints and soil. An innovative dentist is adding EM ceramics to cavity
fillings with promising results.
– EM Toiletries infused with EM-1 these include soap, toothpaste,
shampoo and face cream
– EM Salt. Okinawan sea water is harvested on the full moon and
fermented with EM-X. The sea water is dried and the resulting salt is a
health salt containing all the bio-available trace minerals from the
ocean.
– EM Bokashi Rub Oil is a warming liniment combining EM and fermented
herbal oils recommended for arthritis, aches and fungal infections.
– EM Paint has been shown to reduce mould, termites, toxic fumes and
enhance paint durability.
– EM clothes make the body warmer according in infra-red ray research.
– EM Glass-stone (Super Sol) used as a foundation filler in roads,
floors and walls. This protects a structure from deterioration, pests,
chemical fumes and radiation.

Resources
http://www.emtechnologynetwork.org
http://www.emamerica.com/data
http://www.emro.co.jp/english
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