Hong Qu
English Name: red yeast rice
Pharmaceutical Name: Monascus
Medica Category: Digestive Herbs
Properties: Hong Qu enters the Spleen, Liver, and Large Intestine channels; it is sweet and acrid in nature and warm in temperature.
What is Hong Qu?:
The Chinese Herb Hong Qu is rice that has been fermented by Monascus purpureus, a species of yeast that turns the rice red (hence the name of the herb “red yeast rice”). It can be taken as food or combined with other Chinese herbs in formula for use as medicine.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Hong Qu:
Hong Qu strengthens the Spleen and Stomach and promotes digestion to treat indigestion when there is undigested food in the stool.
Hong Qu invigorates blood and disperses blood stasis in postpartum women, persons with abdominal pain from this cause, and in cases of traumatic injury.
**safety notes: Hong Qu is contraindicated in persons with active liver disease.