粳米 性和平，得天地中和之气。
又称粘米。（南产米胜于麦，北产麦胜于米，亦地气使然也）
〔宜〕 陈米性平，扶助脾土，益精强志，滋培胃气。
〔忌〕 新米性稍热，凝痰。
早米 （性温，得土气，最能健脾）
晚米 （性凉，得金气，尤能解热）
红米 （性温，力浓）
白米 （性凉，气清）
糯米 性温，米之绵软者。
〔宜〕 补脾肺虚冷，坚大便，实肠。
〔忌〕 多食粘滞难化。（糯米酿酒，和以极克伐之药曲，糟秕仍难融化，即此可知）
粟米 性微寒。
小米曰粟米。糯者名秫，酿与糯米同。
〔宜〕 养肾益气，解胃热，利二便。
〔忌〕 湿热下痢者少食。
大麦 性温。
〔宜〕 助胃补脾，下气除胀。
〔忌〕 久食生熟，亦令脚软，因其下气也。
麦芽 （性微热，味甘。化一切面食积滞）
小麦 性微寒。
北产与陈久者良。
〔宜〕 养心补气，助五脏，浓肠胃。
面（性热）
（麦之凉在皮，面去皮即性热。加碱水者多口燥发渴）
麸 （性凉。熨腰脚寒湿，散血止痛）
荞麦 性寒。
〔宜〕 降气宽肠，解酒积。
〔忌〕 脾胃虚者勿多食。致头眩。
高粱 即稷。
〔宜〕 作酒。治腹疾良。
芝麻 性平。
即胡麻。又名巨胜子。陶弘景曰∶八谷中惟此最良。
〔宜〕 补脾，益肝肾，润五脏，填精髓，坚筋骨，明耳目，凉血，解毒。黑者入肾；白者入肺；粟
色者久蒸久晒，可以耐饥。
薏苡仁 性微寒。
〔宜〕 健脾补肺，除香港脚湿热，去筋疼拘挛，亦治疝气热淋。祛邪辅正，有益无损，最宜常作粥食。
绿豆 性凉。去皮性平。
〔宜〕 清热解毒，利小便，消肿痛。
〔忌〕 多食动腹中冷气。
豆粉 （性凉）
（荡粉皮、索粉条，皆能醒酒解毒）
豆芽 （同粉）
黄豆 性平。炒则热，煮则寒，作豉则冷，蒸晒则温。
〔宜〕 清热，下大肠浊气。
〔忌〕 发疮助脓。
豆腐 （性寒。和脾胃，消胀）
豆腐浆 （清火带补）
豆腐皮 （性寒。解热、除斑）
豆腐干 （性同豆腐）
豆腐乳 （性同）
黑豆 性寒。坚小者名马料豆。
〔宜〕 镇心活血，明目补肾，利水下气，散热，驱风，解毒。
豆豉 （性冷。发汗解肌，调中下气）
蚕豆 性温。即胡豆。
〔宜〕 快胃利脏。
〔忌〕 多食发胀。
豌豆 性平。
〔宜〕 益胃，止泄。
〔忌〕 多食发胀。
赤小豆 性平。
〔宜〕 补心。
〔忌〕 多食助热。
Jingmi (Oryza sativa var. glutinosa, non-sticky rice): Its nature is neutral, imbued with the harmonious Qi of Heaven and Earth.
Also known as Nianmi (Sticky rice). (Rice produced in the South surpasses wheat, while wheat produced in the North surpasses rice; this is due to the influence of local geographical Qi.)
[Indications] Chenmi (Aged rice) has a neutral nature; it supports Spleen Earth, benefits Essence and strengthens Will, and nourishes Stomach Qi.
[Contraindications] Xinmi (New rice) has a slightly hot nature and tends to condense Phlegm.
Zaomi (Early rice): Nature is warm, obtains Earth Qi, and is best at strengthening the Spleen.
Wanmi (Late rice): Nature is cool, obtains Metal Qi, and is particularly effective in clearing heat.
Hongmi (Red rice): Nature is warm, potency is strong.
Baimi (White rice): Nature is cool, Qi is clear.
Nuomi (Glutinous rice): Nature is warm; it is the softest among rices.
[Indications] Tonifies deficiency-cold of the Spleen and Lungs, firms the stool, and solidifies the intestines.
[Contraindications] Excessive consumption leads to stagnation and difficult digestion. (When brewing wine with Nuomi, even when combined with extremely harsh fermenting agents, the dregs remain difficult to dissolve; this illustrates its difficulty in digestion.)
Sumi (Millet): Nature is slightly cold.
Xiaomi (Small millet) is called Sumi. The glutinous variety is named Shu, and its brewing method is the same as Nuomi.
[Indications] Nourishes the Kidneys and tonifies Qi, clears Stomach heat, and promotes urination and defecation.
[Contraindications] Those with damp-heat dysentery should consume sparingly.
Damai (Barley): Nature is warm.
[Indications] Assists the Stomach and tonifies the Spleen, directs Qi downward and eliminates distension.
[Contraindications] Long-term consumption may cause general weakness and lower limb weakness, due to its Qi-directing-downward property.
Maiya (Malt): Nature is slightly hot, taste is sweet. It resolves all types of food stagnation caused by wheat products.
Xiaomai (Wheat): Nature is slightly cold.
Those from the North and aged are superior.
[Indications] Nourishes the Heart and tonifies Qi, assists the Five Zang organs, and thickens the stomach and intestines.
Mian (Flour): Nature is hot.
(The cooling property of wheat lies in its bran; once removed for flour, the nature becomes hot. Flour mixed with alkaline water often causes dry mouth and thirst.)
Fu (Bran): Nature is cool. Applied externally via warming therapy to dispel cold-dampness from the waist and legs, disperses blood stasis, and alleviates pain.
Qiaomai (Buckwheat): Nature is cold.
[Indications] Directs Qi downward, expands the intestines, and resolves alcohol accumulation.
[Contraindications] Do not consume excessively if Spleen and Stomach are deficient, as it may cause dizziness.
Gaoliang (Sorghum): Also known as Ji.
[Indications] Used for brewing wine; effective in treating abdominal disorders.
Zhima (Sesame): Nature is neutral.
Also known as Huma and Jushengzi. Tao Hongjing stated: "Among the eight grains, this is the finest."
[Indications] Tonifies the Spleen, benefits Liver and Kidneys, moistens the Five Zang organs, fills Essence and Marrow, strengthens sinews and bones, brightens eyes and ears, cools Blood, and resolves toxicity. Black sesame enters the Kidney; white sesame enters the Lung; sesame resembling millet color, after prolonged steaming and sun-drying, can resist hunger.
Yiyiren (Coix Seed): Nature is slightly cold.
[Indications] Strengthens the Spleen and tonifies the Lungs, resolves damp-heat in Traction Disease (Hong Kong foot/jamming), removes tendon pain and spasms, and also treats Hernia and painful urinary dysfunction with heat. It expels pathogens and supports healthy Qi, offering benefit without harm; it is most suitable for frequent porridge consumption.
Lvdou (Mung Bean): Nature is cool. After removing the skin, the nature becomes neutral.
[Indications] Clears heat and resolves toxicity, promotes urination, and reduces swelling and pain.
[Contraindications] Excessive consumption induces cold Qi in the abdomen.
Doufen (Bean powder): Nature is cool.
(Dangfenpi [bean jelly sheets] and Suofentiao [bean vermicelli] can awaken the spirit from intoxication and resolve toxicity.)
Douya (Bean sprouts): Efficacy is the same as Doufen.
Huangdou (Soybean): Nature is neutral. Stir-fried, it becomes hot; boiled, it becomes cold; fermented into Douchi, it becomes cold; steamed and dried, it becomes warm.
[Indications] Clears heat, directs turbid Qi downward in the Large Intestine.
[Contraindications] May induce sores and promote pus formation.
Tofu (Bean curd): Nature is cold. Harmonizes Spleen and Stomach, eliminates distension.
Tofujiang (Soy milk): Clears fire and provides tonification.
Tofupi (Tofu skin): Nature is cold. Clears heat and removes macules.
Tofugan (Dried tofu): Nature is the same as Tofu.
Tofuru (Fermented tofu): Nature is the same.
Heidou (Black soybean): Nature is cold. Small and firm ones are called Mliaodou.
[Indications] Calms the Heart, invigorates Blood, brightens eyes, tonifies Kidneys, promotes urination, directs Qi downward, dissipates heat, drives out wind, and resolves toxicity.
Douchi (Fermented soybean): Nature is cold. Induces sweating and releases the muscle layer, regulates the Middle Jiao, and directs Qi downward.
Candou (Fava bean): Nature is warm. Also known as Hudou.
[Indications] Promotes Stomach function and benefits the viscera.
[Contraindications] Excessive consumption causes distension.
Wandou (Pea): Nature is neutral.
[Indications] Benefits the Stomach, stops diarrhea.
[Contraindications] Excessive consumption causes distension.
Chixiaodou (Adzuki bean): Nature is neutral.
[Indications] Tonifies the Heart.
[Contraindications] Excessive consumption generates heat.