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Red Adzuki Bean (Chi Xiao Dou)
Can unblock the Heart and Small Intestine meridians. Promotes blood circulation to remove stasis and promotes urination to reduce edema. Can discharge pus and dissipate swelling. Treats polydipsia (Xiao Dao, characterized by excessive thirst and urination) caused by fermented soybean (Dou Chi). Flavor is sweet with a slight sourness. Nature is neutral, non-toxic.

Green Mung Bean (Lu Dou)
Flavor is sweet, nature is cold. Specifically detoxifies. Eliminates water-dampness and heat, harmonizes the Spleen. Its color corresponds to the Liver. Its therapeutic action seems to be attributed to the Stomach. (Red Adzuki Bean refers to Du Chi Dou in modern times; those that are tight, small, and red are considered superior. The "Chi Xiao Dou" sold in pharmacies today is half-red and half-black, known as Xiang Si Zi or Red Bean, which is toxic and unsuitable for use. The nature of Du Chi Dou is sweet, sour, and neutral. It enters the Heart and Small Intestine meridians. Its function specializes in eliminating water retention and promoting blood circulation. Therefore, internally for water distension (Shui Gu), blood distension (Xue Gu), and all forms of Hong Kong Foot (podagra/edema of the feet); externally for carbuncles, sores, swelling, and toxins, whether taken orally or applied topically, it has miraculous effects. However, this is merely the effect of eliminating water and promoting blood circulation. The ancient saying that eating too much causes emaciation can be inferred from this. ○ Green Mung Bean is sweet in flavor and cold in nature. Its diuretic effect is similar to that of the Red Bean, but in clearing heat and detoxifying, it excels. Thus, it can resolve various poisons from cinnabar and minerals (Dan Shi). Moreover, it can nourish the intestines and stomach, unlike the Red Bean which causes emaciation.)

Hyacinth Bean / Lablab Bean (Bian Dou)
Flavor is sweet and neutral. Clears summerheat, benefits the Spleen, and detoxifies. Its function returns to the Stomach Fu organ, ascending the clear and descending the turbid, and harmonizing the middle Jiao. The flower can treat dysentery and disperse pathogenic factors. The skin can relieve hunger and promote water metabolism. (Hyacinth bean is sweet, neutral, and non-toxic. It can nourish the Stomach and strengthen the Spleen. When the Spleen and Stomach are regulated, clear and turbid qi can be separated, and vomiting and diarrhea can be cured. All things born in summer can clear summerheat, so Hyacinth bean can also be used for this purpose. The flower has the same nature. Those that are red enter the Blood level to disperse stasis; those that are white enter the Qi level to move Qi. Since all flowers have dispersing properties, they can clear summerheat and disperse pathogens, treating conditions such as summer diarrhea and dysentery. The skin acts on the skin, following the principle of similarity.)

Malt (Mai Ya)
Flavor is sweet and salty. Can warm the Stomach and assist the Spleen. Dissolves grain food. Its power lies in digestion. Removes stagnation of flour and accumulation of milk. Resolves turbidity obstruction and stasis retention. (Malt is sweet and salty, warm in nature. Enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians. It can digest and grind, resolving all accumulations of rice, wheat, and other grains. Any turbid filth or stasis retained can be resolved. One can infer this from how maltose syrup is produced. If used without stagnation, it may damage the body's Yuan Qi. Contraindicated in pregnancy.)