Monascus purpureus
Aliases：Chì Qū (Red Koji); Dān Qū (Cinnabar Koji); Hóng Mǐ (Red Rice); Fú Qū (Fortune Koji); Hóng Dà Mǐ (Big Red Rice); Hóng Cáo (Red Fermentation Grain).
Hongqu (Red Yeast Rice) is a Chinese medicinal substance. It is the red yeast rice formed by the mycelium of the fungus Monascus purpureus Went (family Aspergillaceae) parasitizing on the kernels (polished japonica rice) of Oryza sativa L., a plant of the family Poaceae. This product was called a “miracle medicine” by Li Shizhen in the Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu), with the effects of “promoting digestion, invigorating blood, strengthening the spleen, and drying the stomach.” Modern research has confirmed that it contains natural lipid-lowering components, making it a typical representative of medicinal and edible substances.
Efficacy & Actions
Promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis, strengthens the spleen and promotes digestion, transforms turbidity and lowers lipids.
Indications
Used for amenorrhea with abdominal pain, postpartum stasis obstruction, traumatic injuries, food stagnation, epigastric and abdominal distension and fullness, red and white dysentery, and hyperlipidemia.
Modern Pharmacology
Lipid regulation: Monacolin K (lovastatin) inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, regulates blood lipids, and lowers cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL. Antihypertensive and hypoglycemic: Lowers blood pressure and blood glucose. Antitumor: Exhibits antitumor activity. Anti-inflammatory: Exhibits anti-inflammatory activity. Antioxidant and anti-osteoporosis: Possesses antioxidant effects and prevents/treats osteoporosis. Immune enhancement: Enhances immune function. Anti-fatigue: Exhibits anti-fatigue effects.
Ingredients
Monacolins (Statins): Monacolin K (Lovastatin), Monacolin L, Monacolin J, etc., which are the core components responsible for the lipid-regulating effects of red yeast rice. Red Yeast Rice Pigments: Impart the characteristic red color to red yeast rice. Sterols: Ergosterol, etc. Polysaccharides: Red yeast rice polysaccharides, crude polysaccharides. Amino Acids: Various amino acids. Other Components: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), polyphenols, enzyme active substances (e.g., glucoamylase, α-amylase, protease from Monascus), coenzyme Q10, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, 6–15g; or prepared in pills or powder. As a health supplement ingredient, the recommended daily intake is tentatively set at no more than 2g. Topical Application: Appropriate amount, mashed for external application.
Contraindications
Use with caution in cases of spleen yin deficiency without blood stasis. Not to be used in cases without accumulation; contraindicated in cases without blood stasis (Ben Cao Jing Shu). Incompatible with Shenqu (medicated leaven) (Ben Cao Cong Xin). Not to be used in cases of spleen yin deficiency or stomach fire excess (Ben Cao Cong Xin). Contraindicated or use with caution during pregnancy (may promote uterine contractions and increase miscarriage risk); also avoid during lactation. Overdose may cause gastrointestinal discomfort (nausea, diarrhea) or elevated liver enzymes; dosage should be strictly controlled. Not to be used together with lipid-lowering drugs (e.g., lovastatin); use with caution in patients with liver or kidney dysfunction.
Selected Formulas
For food stagnation with chest and diaphragm fullness and dyspepsia (Chinese Medicinal Fungi) Take 9g of Hongqu (Red yeast rice), 6g of Maiya (Malt), and 9g of Shanzha (Hawthorn). Decoct in water and drink twice daily. For cardiac and abdominal pain (Zhaiyuan Fang) Take equal parts of Hongqu, Xiangfu (Cyperus), and Ruxiang (Frankincense). Grind into powder and take with wine. For damp-heat diarrhea and bloody dysentery (Danxi Xinfa, Qingliu Wan) Take one dose of Liuyi San (Talc 6 liang, Licorice 1 liang) and 0.5 liang of stir-fried Hongqu. Grind into powder, mix with cooked rice to make pills the size of wuzi (about 4mm). Take 50–70 pills with plain boiled water. For frequent vomiting in children with refusal to eat (Bencao Gangmu, citing Jingji Fang) Take 3.5 qian of aged Hongqu, 1.5 qian of Baizhu (stir-fried with bran), and 1 qian of honey-fried Gancao. Grind into powder. Take 0.5 qian each time with red date rice water. For blood-qi pain in women (Chinese Medicinal Fungi) Take 6g of Hongqu, decoct in water, mix with hot wine, and drink three times daily. For traumatic injury (Chinese Medicinal Fungi) Take 6g of Hongqu and 31g of Tiexiancai (Acalypha australis). Decoct in water, drink in one dose, three times daily. For infantile head sores with persistent purulent discharge (Bai Yi Xuan Fang) Take Hongqu, crush and apply externally. For postpartum lochiostasis with abdominal pain (empirical formula) Take 3–12g of Hongqu, decoct with yellow wine and drink warm.
Daily Consumption
Red Yeast Rice Congee: Replace a portion of the rice with approximately 30–50g of red yeast rice, and rinse together with the remaining polished rice. Place in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for about 30 minutes until the congee is cooked. Jujube dates and lotus seeds may be added to enhance flavor and nutrition. Red Yeast Rice: When cooking steamed rice, replace 30–50g of the rice with red yeast rice and steam together. Red Yeast Rice and Safflower Congee (suitable for coronary heart disease, food stagnation, epigastric and abdominal pain, dysmenorrhea, and postpartum abdominal pain): Take 5g each of red yeast rice and safflower, and 100g of polished rice, with an appropriate amount of white sugar. First decoct the red yeast rice and safflower to extract the liquid, then add the rice and cook into congee. Add sugar to taste when the congee is almost done.
Medicinal Parts
It is the red yeast rice formed by the mycelium of the fungus Monascus purpureus Went (family Aspergillaceae) parasitizing on the kernels (polished rice or japonica rice) of Oryza sativa L., a plant of the family Gramineae (Poaceae).
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry container in a cool, well-ventilated place. Protect from moisture and insects. Red Yeast Rice (Hongqu) should be stored in an airtight container to prevent moisture and deterioration.
