EM: Effective Micro Organisms

"Just as Nature is dedicated to helping us,
we too should be dedicated to helping Nature. 
Only then can the harmony between Nature
and humanity be preserved." Amma

Introduced to the world in 1982 by a Japanese scientist, Dr. Teruo Higa, EM (effective micro-organisms) is a combination of aerobic and anaerobic micro-organisms that coexist symbiotically in one liquid solution. In layman's terms, it is "good bacteria," beneficial micro-organisms that naturally eliminate harmful bacteria from the environment while at the same time strengthening the natural flora (immune system) of the surroundings. 

When people use water for bathing, washing and general cleaning, the water becomes contaminated from the detergents, soaps and cleaners.Although household and personal-care products kill germs, they also kill the good bacteria, removing the environment's natural resistance. EM is the only household cleaning product that actually helps the environment, cleaning the pipes, septic tanks and helping the rivers and seas, as it improves the micro flora in all the places with which it comes in contact.

Amritapuri Ashram started using EM in 2002. It is now in the Ashram's institutions throughout India, including AIMS Hospital and Amrita University. Here are some of the ways in which the Ashram is using EM:

• Applied to food waste, transforming it very quickly into compost for gardening
• Diluted and used for all general cleaning, replacing harmful, chemical products.
• Used as a natural pesticide in the gardens.
• Used in the cowshed to greatly reduce the smell and quantity of flies.
• Added to the laundry thereby halving the amount of detergent needed.
• Added to the ponds and waterways to reduce the mosquito population.

EM is quite cheap. It costs only about ten rupees for one to two litres.

The Amritapuri Ecology Centre

On 4 September 2005, the Ecology Centre officially opened in Amritapuri. Its focus is on educating everyone about how to make the world cleaner and greener.

One of the main jobs of the Ecology Centre is to educate people about EM, effective micro organisms. The centre also offers a variety of products that provide natural alternatives to chemicals used in the home, personal care, etc.

Here are some of the many items available at the centre:

Soap nuts -- actually the dried fruit of the "soap-nut" tree collected by a tribal co-op in Northern India. These can be used as an alternative for laundry detergents, household soaps and shampoos. When the soap nuts are used as a laundry detergent, they need to be placed inside a small cotton bag. Local women who were affected by the tsunami have been stitching these bags in sewing classes provided by the Ashram.

Herbal powder mixtures -- an alternative form of soap and shampoo. These are made at Amritapuri by the Amrita Ayurveda Centre.

Himalayan crystal salts -- real natural salts as found in nature without added chemicals, etc. They contain all the necessary minerals the body needs to function properly, whereas common salt only contains one such mineral. A brine made from this salt can also be used for brushing one's teeth and bathing.

Natural craft products --  made from bamboo by local tribal people. The people were trained in these crafts by the Ashram and soon will also be providing the Ashram with honey.

Tulasi (Holy Basil) seeds -- Tulasi has medicinal qualities. Daily drinking water with the essence of tulasi or breathing in the air surrounding it shows a marked change in our physical and mental health.

--ans