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[Mai Ya (Hordei Fructus Germinatus)]
[Harm] If there is food stagnation, it can eliminate the stagnation; if there is no stagnation, it consumes the body's Yuan Qi (Primordial Vital Energy), leading to abortion.
[Benefit] Sweet, salty, and warm in nature, entering the Spleen and Stomach meridians. It cooks and decomposes the five grains, aiding digestion without causing retention; it circulates through the San Jiao (Triple Burner), promoting free flow without obstruction. It benefits the Spleen and relaxes the Intestines, harmonizes the Middle Jiao and directs Qi downward, dissipates nodules and dispels phlegm. It is especially good at promoting lactation, and can also induce labor and cause abortion.
[Preparation] Currently, barley sprouts are used after being stir-fried until scorched. In ancient prescriptions, "Mai Ya" actually referred to the sprouts of Wheat (Tritici Venenatis Fructus Germinatus).

[Shan Zha (Crataegi Fructus)]
[Harm] Its property has a suppressing effect and aids in digesting food. If there is no food accumulation in the Stomach, or if the Spleen is deficient and unable to transform and transport, leading to anorexia, taking it will instead suppress the generating Qi of the Spleen and Stomach, causing heartburn, irritability, and easy hunger. If the Spleen and Stomach are deficient with concurrent stagnation, it should be administered together with Qi-tonifying herbs, but excessive use is still not advisable. *Wulei Xianggan Zhi* states: When boiling tough old chicken meat, adding a few pieces of Shan Zha makes it tender easily, demonstrating its potent food-digesting and suppressing power. Those who cannot tolerate Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix) will find relief with Shan Zha. One tonifies Qi, the other breaks Qi. It can also damage teeth, making it particularly unsuitable for those with dental caries.
[Benefit] Sour, sweet, and slightly warm in nature, entering the Spleen and Stomach meridians. It strengthens the Spleen, promotes Qi movement, digests food and grinds away stagnation, transforms phlegm and disperses blood stasis. It is excellent at removing accumulations of greasy, fatty, and gamey meat foods, which differs from Mai Ya's ability to digest grain accumulations. Combined with Huixiang (Foeniculi Fructus), it treats hernia; taken with brown sugar, it treats postpartum abdominal pain (Erzhen Tong); it promotes the eruption of childhood smallpox/rash; it moves milk and food stagnation. When charred into carbon, its function of strengthening the Spleen and digesting food is effective, while its sour-astringent nature is reduced.
[Preparation] After the Frost Descent solar term in September, take ripe fruits, remove the cores, dry them in the sun, and stir-fry before use.

[Zhi Ke (Aurantii Fructus)]
[Harm] It drains Lung Qi and moves into the Large Intestine, damaging the Qi of the highest position. It is contraindicated for those with weak Lung Qi. It is contraindicated for those with Spleen and Stomach deficiency, failure of the Middle Jiao to transport, and phlegm congestion with panting and urgency. For coughs not caused by Wind-Cold invading the Lung but by Qi stagnation, taking it may aggravate the condition. For coughs caused by Yin deficiency with flaming fire, taking it can immediately lead to critical danger.
[Benefit] Bitter and slightly cold in nature, entering the Lung, Spleen, Stomach, Liver, and Large Intestine meridians. It breaks the Qi of the highest position, eliminates cough with retained phlegm, assists the official of conduction (Large Intestine), eliminates distension and fullness due to water retention, and additionally clears the Bladder. Zhi Shi (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) has an urgent action, while Zhi Ke has a mild action; both can be ground into juice for use, resulting in even more rapid efficacy.
[Preparation] Remove the pith, slice, and stir-fry with bran.