Four kinds of fermented products, namely Hongqu, Shenqu, Banxiaqu, and Chenxiangqu, all have the function of invigorating the spleen and promoting digestion. They are often used together in clinical practice, hence the name "Four Qu". Due to different fermentation varieties, there are some differences in clinical application.
Hongqu, also known as Chiqu, Red Rice, and Fuqu, is made by parasitizing purple-red Monascus fungi on glutinous rice. It is produced in most parts of China. The mycelium grows inside the glutinous rice, turning it purple-red, hence the name Hongqu. It is considered best when it is red and crispy, and aged. "Compendium of Materia Medica" states that it is good for medicinal use when it is aged. In traditional Chinese medicine, Hongqu is considered sweet and warm in nature, and it enters the liver, spleen, and large intestine meridians. It has the function of promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, invigorating the spleen, and promoting digestion. It is suitable for conditions such as indigestion, abdominal distension, dysentery with red or white stools, incomplete lochia after childbirth, and injuries from falls. "Yinshan Zhengyao" states that it "invigorates the spleen, nourishes qi, and warms the middle". "Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica" states that it "promotes blood circulation, aids digestion, invigorates the spleen, and warms the stomach, treats dysentery with red or white stools". Pharmacological studies have shown that Hongqu is rich in coenzyme Q10, which is an activator of cell metabolism and cellular respiration. It can improve mitochondrial respiratory function and promote oxidative phosphorylation. It can also increase phagocytic cell phagocytosis, enhance antibody production, and improve T cell function. It has antihypertensive and lipid-lowering effects.
Shenqu, also known as Liushenqu, Jianqu, and Jiaoshenqu, is made by grinding fresh Artemisia annua, fresh Equisetum arvense, fresh Lepidium apetalum, adzuki beans, and almonds, then mixing them with wheat bran and white flour, and fermenting them. In traditional Chinese medicine, Shenqu is considered sweet, spicy, and warm in nature, and it enters the spleen and stomach meridians. It has the function of promoting digestion and relieving stomach-related symptoms. It is suitable for conditions such as indigestion, abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Additionally, when it is difficult for the body to digest and absorb minerals in pill formulations, Shenqu is often used as a paste to aid digestion. Therefore, "Compendium of Materia Medica" states that it "promotes digestion, relieves qi, eliminates phlegm, treats cholera, diarrhea, and abdominal distension". "Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine" states that it "digests residual food and treats stagnation, invigorates the spleen and warms the stomach". "Compendium of Materia Medica Supplements" states that it "treats summer heat injuries, dietary injuries, fatigue and exhaustion, vomiting and regurgitation, and inability to eat". Pharmacological studies have shown that Shenqu is a yeast preparation, containing vitamin B complex, enzymes, ergosterol, proteins, and fats. Through its fermentation process, it can promote digestive function, such as the amylase it contains which can promote gastric secretion and digest grains. "Pharmacology of Chinese Medicine" states that "Liushenqu uses fermentation to promote digestive function". In clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine, it is mainly used to assist digestion and invigorate the spleen and stomach. It is particularly effective for treating spleen deficiency and poor digestion in the elderly. When specifically used, it can also be combined with sprouted grains, malt, and hawthorn for decoction to enhance digestive function.
Banxiaqu is a fermented preparation made from Pinelliae Rhizoma mixed with flour and ginger juice. In traditional Chinese medicine, Banxiaqu is considered sweet, spicy, and warm in nature, and it enters the lung, spleen, and large intestine meridians. It has the functions of suppressing cough, resolving phlegm, relieving asthma, harmonizing the stomach, and stopping vomiting. It is suitable for conditions such as cough with wind-cold, wheezing and shortness of breath, chest and epigastric fullness, long-lasting cough, indigestion, cold limbs, and loose stools. "New Guide to Medicinal Herbs" states that it "resolves phlegm and stops cough, promotes digestion, and treats diarrhea". "Standards for Traditional Chinese Medicine" states that it "relieves rebellious qi, stops vomiting, stops cough, and resolves phlegm". "National Collection of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescriptions" (Jinan Edition) states that it "treats cough with excessive phlegm, loss of appetite, and vomiting due to stopping eating". "National Collection of Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescriptions" (Shanghai Edition) states that it "treats cough with excessive phlegm and nausea". Clinical observations have found that Banxiaqu has unique effects on wind-cold cough, wheezing and shortness of breath, damp phlegm, chest and epigastric fullness, long-lasting cough, stubborn phlegm, nausea and vomiting, and loose stools.
Chenxiangqu is a fermented preparation made from various medicinal powders such as Aquilariae Lignum and mixed with Shenqu. In traditional Chinese medicine, Chenxiangqu is considered bitter and warm in nature, and it enters the liver, spleen, and lung meridians. It has the functions of dissipating surface pathogenic factors, promoting digestion, soothing the liver, and harmonizing the stomach. It is suitable for conditions such as incomplete resolution of external pathogenic factors, liver and stomach qi stagnation, chest tightness and epigastric distension, rib pain, and acid reflux. "New Guide to Medicinal Herbs" states that it "regulates spleen and stomach qi, relieves pain and diarrhea, and eliminates bloating". "Pharmacology" states that it "treats colds with wind-cold, indigestion with qi stagnation, chest and abdominal distension and pain, vomiting and acid reflux".
All four kinds of fermented products have similar functions, including invigorating the spleen, promoting digestion, and relieving stomach-related symptoms. They are suitable for various diseases caused by food stagnation. However, Hongqu is especially good at promoting blood circulation, while Shenqu is particularly effective for digestion, especially for digesting mineral-based medicines. Therefore, "Commentary on the Compendium of Materia Medica" states that "Hongqu has the same function as Shenqu in promoting digestion and invigorating the spleen and stomach, but it is unique in promoting blood circulation and healing, making it an essential medicine for treating bloody dysentery". Banxiaqu invigorates the spleen and also has the function of resolving phlegm and relieving asthma, making it an important medicine for treating cough and phlegm disorders. Chenxiangqu invigorates the spleen and also has the function of regulating qi and dispersing pathogenic factors. Hongqu and Chenxiangqu have the function of promoting qi circulation and blood circulation, so they should be used with caution by pregnant women.
