Red yeast rice - or red rice koli as sometimes known - is a bright reddish purple fermented rice. It’s made by fermenting rice with Monascus purpureus yeast and has been used medicinally to help revitalise the blood, rejuvenate the body and reduce cholesterol, and to treat indigestion and diarrhea, along with many other ailments.

Red yeast rice is a key feature in Chinese herbology and traditional Chinese medicine, having been in use since 800 AD, around the age of the Tang Dynasty in China.

Where it's found

Red yeast supplements are created by culturing Monascus purpureus yeast on rice at specific temperatures and in certain conditions that drive the concentration of chemicals which lower blood cholesterol and triglycerides. These chemicals are much like prescription drugs known as statins.

In food, red yeast is often used as a colorant in Peking duck.

How it can benefit you

It’s said that this special ingredient can do wonders for improving blood circulation, and for spleen and stomach health.

Other benefits include:

• Reducing cholesterol
• Treating indigestion and diarrhea

Naturopath Mim Beim says:

“A traditional Asian food and medicine, it has been found to lower cholesterol.”