Fermented Korean Herbal Medicine

Yet another study that shows lactic acid fermentation can enhance the effectiveness of medicinal herbs.  

The herb in question is Hwangryun-haedok-tang, a Korean traditional herbal medicine used to "treat inflammatory-related diseases, including dermatitis, hepatitis, and gastritis."  

From reading the study it appears to be a multi-herb mixture that includes coptis japonica, Scutellaria baicalensis (skullcap), chinese philodendron, and Scutellaria baicalensis (fruit) 

The authors state:"Fermentation increases the production of active components in medicinal herbs, which beneficially influences health through health-promoting and disease preventing effects....

"Bacteria fermentation not only generates the bioactive components of flavonoid but also changes its structure. Bacterial fermentation de-glycosylates, sulfates, or methylates flavonoids, which influences the absorption rate and metabolism in the liver [25]. The structure change of flavonoid by bacteria fermentation increases the absorption rate and the amounts absorbed, which might elevate the bioactivity and bioavailability of active components [26,27] and might contribute to the beneficial effect on bone [28]."

"This study demonstrated that lactic bacterial fermentation fortifies the inhibitory effect of HRT on osteoclastogenesis and bone loss. These results suggest that fermented HRT might have the beneficial potential on osteoporosis by inhibiting osteoclastogenesis."