The efficacy and contraindications of red yeast rice

I believe that many people have the same understanding of red yeast rice, and simply think that it is a seasoning used in cooking. This is because it can be often seen in the kitchen at home. In fact, red yeast rice is a traditional Chinese medicine with a long history, and it has existed for more than a thousand years. Red yeast rice is made from indica rice, japonica rice, glutinous rice, etc., and is fermented with Monascus purpurogenum. So, what are the functions and uses of red yeast rice and what are the contraindications of consumption? Let's take a look below.

1. The efficacy and function of red yeast rice

Red yeast rice is sweet in taste and warm in nature; it enters the liver, spleen, stomach and large intestine meridians. It has the effects of promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, strengthening the spleen and promoting digestion. It is mainly used for food stagnation, abdominal distension, red and white diarrhea, postpartum lochia, and traumatic injuries;

1. Modern medical research reports believe that red yeast rice has the effect of lowering blood pressure and blood lipids, and the monascus K it contains can prevent the formation of cholesterol; 2. The outer skin of red yeast rice is purple-red, the inner part is red, slightly sour and light in taste. It has a strong coloring power on protein, so it is often used as a food dye;

3. Compared with chemically synthesized red pigment, red yeast rice has the advantages of being non-toxic and safe, and it also has the effects of strengthening the spleen and digestion, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis.

2. Taboos on eating red yeast rice

It is suitable for people with symptoms such as emaciation, low immunity, decreased memory, anemia, edema, and children with stagnation in growth and development. Use with caution in patients with spleen yin deficiency and without food stagnation.

3. How to eat red yeast rice

1. In cooking, red yeast rice is widely used and can be used for cooking and dyeing, such as the production of Jiangsu famous dishes cherry meat and Wuxi spare ribs;

2. It can be used for making roast meat, marinated food, such as Guangdong barbecued pork and some brine;

3. It can be used for coloring sausages such as red sausages, and for coloring complex flavors such as sweet and sour, and western sauces;

4. Red yeast rice is also often used in the production of porridge, rice, pasta, fermented bean curd, cakes, candy, and candied fruit.

4. How to choose red yeast rice

Red yeast rice is oblong, elliptical or irregular in shape, slightly flat, 5-8mm long, 2-3.5mm wide and 1.5-3mm thick. The surface is purple-red or brown-red, uneven, and some have shallow vertical and horizontal textures. It is brittle and easily broken along the transverse texture. The cross section is flat, the edges are red to dark red, the middle is slightly concave, and the color is white to light red. It has a unique aroma, light taste and a slightly sweet flavor. The best ones are red, crispy and long-aged.