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"Jia Se Zuo Gan, Wei Tu De Zheng Wei." (From *Shangshu - Hong Fan*: Planting and harvesting crops produce sweetness; this is the pure flavor of Earth.) Jingmi (Coix Seed, specifically the glutinous variety) differs from other sweet substances in that it is not biased. It harmoniously regulates the Five Zang Organs and tonifies the Middle Qi (Central Energy). When one feels fatigued and weak, a single meal brings exceptional comfort; its efficacy surpasses even that of Renshen (Ginseng), which allows us to infer its functions.

Jingmi absorbs abundant Metal (Lung) and Water (Kidney) energies. While it tonifies Qi, it simultaneously nourishes Yin. Therefore, it can assist successfully in both tonifying formulas and cooling formulas.

Grains are treasures for human life. However, in cases of Huoluan (Cholera-like disorder with vomiting and diarrhea), Shazhang (Sha poisoning and distension), or conditions where there is an urge to vomit but nothing comes out, or an urge to defecate but nothing comes out, if a mouthful of rice water is swallowed during the onset, the condition becomes incurable. This is because pathogenic factors such as Summer-heat, Dampness, and foul turbidity fill the meridians and collaterals. When rice water enters the Stomach, it transmits to the Spleen and returns to the Lungs, inadvertently expanding these pathways and leaving no room for escape, causing the critical state to arise so rapidly.

Li Shizhen stated: "Yiyiren (Coicis Semen, Coix Seed) belongs to Earth and is a medicine of the Yangming channel, thus it can strengthen the Spleen and benefit the Stomach." Liu Shi refuted this, stating: "The Stomach is the sea of the Five Zang and Six Fu organs. Its clear Qi ascends to the Lungs. The reason it can ascend to the Lungs is actually due to the Spleen. Spleen Qi combines with Kidney Qi to reach the Lungs, and Lung Qi combines with Heart Qi to return to the Kidneys. These three Yin energies are called Yuan Qi (Original Qi), which is also Zhong Qi (Middle Qi). However, if Stomach Yang is deficient, the Earth Qi of the Spleen cannot ascend to Heaven, inevitably leading to excessive Dampness transforming into Heat, which gathers at the Yang of the Epigastrium to damage Qi. If Stomach Yang is hyperactive, the Heaven Qi of the Lungs cannot descend to Earth, inevitably leading to excessive Heat transforming into Dampness, which presses back against the Yin of the Spleen to damage Blood. Damage to Qi affects the Lungs, manifesting as Xiongbi (Chest Bi/Pain) and a slow pulse; severely, it damages Lung Yin, resulting in Feiwei (Flaccid Atrophy of the Lung) and Feibing (Lung Abscess); further, damaging Qi affects the Liver, which stores Blood, resulting in Jinji Juluan (Tendon Spasm and Cramping). Damage to Blood affects the Spleen, manifesting as intestinal and stomach dysfunction; severely, it causes severe Spleen Qi deficiency, leading to Edema and chronic Wind-Damp Bi, and the pathology shifts to the lower body causing Shan (Hernia). All these are diseases of Stomach Qi affecting the upper and lower parts. Yiyi grows in flat marshes, has a cold nature and sweet taste, combining the virtues of Water and Earth. Its fruit forms in midsummer, when the descending nature of Water turns toward the ascending nature of Fire; it is harvested in late autumn, when the floating heat returns to the cool descent of Metal. This aligns with the Stomach's ability to access Earth Qi without being damaged by Dampness transforming into Heat, and to access Heaven Qi without being damaged by Heat transforming into Dampness. It can treat all the aforementioned syndromes. Since the Middle Qi is not diseased by Dampness, it is not diseased by Heat either. Removing Dampness inherently clears Heat. This is not solely the function of the Stomach, but rather the Stomach acts as the pivot. If one discusses Yiyi merely as a drug for drying Dampness and strengthening the Spleen like Li suggested, where would the effects of clearing Heat, treating Wei syndrome, harmonizing Blood, and moistening tendons be categorized? However, Yiyi is a key herb for tonifying Middle Qi, yet its taste is bland and its action is mild. Without combining it with other herbs to aid it, or administering it in concentrated doses, it cannot achieve precise results. Furthermore, regarding tendon spasms caused by Damp-Heat damaging Blood and drying the fascia, as mentioned in the Classics ("Large tendons become short"), the Liver stores Blood and governs tendons, so Damp-Heat is indeed a disease of the Blood level. While Li's view missed the mark, Liu Shi exaggerated profound mysteries, leading to convoluted reasoning. Not only do his explanations of Zang-Fu organ Yin-Yang ascent and descent not fully align with reality, but even within his own logic, flaws are evident and cannot be concealed. By inserting "further due to Qi damage" under "Qi damage," tendon spasm is attributed entirely to the transmission of Qi damage. Are there no true Blood disorders among Blood damage, yet forced into categories like intestinal dysfunction? This is subjective forcing, lacking factual basis. Yiyi can prevent Stomach Yang from being deficient or hyperactive, and facilitate the cycle of Spleen-Kidney-Lung and Lung-Heart-Kidney. Its applications should be as profound and complex as Siwu Tang or Sijunzi Tang. Why are prescriptions using it so rare, like morning stars? Moreover, if it requires combination and high dosage, it admits Yiyi cannot handle everything alone, so why praise it indiscriminately? Yiyi prevents Dampness from turning to Heat and Heat from turning to Dampness; naturally, removing Dampness clears Heat. To say "removing Dampness immediately clears Heat" ignores its cold nature! Equating Yiyi's tendon-moistening effect with Niuxi (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix) is erroneous. Niuxi treats limb spasms due to dry fascia because its root is soft, moist, and contains white juice. Moistening tendons does not remove Dampness, and removing Dampness does not moisten tendons; this is logical. The Liver stores Blood and governs tendons, but tendon diseases cannot simply be labeled as Blood diseases; this distinction must be made.

The *Shennong Bencao Jing* contains some Han dynasty interpolations, but its profound passages are golden and jade, surely written by sages. Phrases like "Yiyiren treats tendon spasm, inability to flex/extend, chronic Wind-Damp Bi, and directs Qi downward" are eternal standards. From *Qianjin Fang*, *Waitai Miyao*, and later excellent formulas, Yiyiren is always used for tendon spasm and immobility. For cold-induced spasms, it serves as an assistant to relax tendons. The annotation for *Xiao Xuming Tang* states: "For stroke with tendon spasm, slurred speech, and wiry pulse, add Yiyiren." Li Shizhen claimed adding Yiyiri tonifies Spleen and Liver, missing its tendon-relaxing miracle—how ignorant! Another formula, Yiyiren Wan, treats hypochondriac pain. Is hypochondriac pain not a Liver disease? Pregnant women are forbidden Yiyi because it drains Liver Qi and induces abortion. Thus, since the Liver connects to tendons, how can Yiyi not be a Liver herb? It is inexplicable that no one since the Jin-Yuan dynasties elaborated on this. *Tianmendong* (Asparagi Radix) treats acute Wind-Damp Bi; *Yiyiren* treats chronic Wind-Damp Bi. The word "chronic" is significant. Wind-Damp Bi is not suitable for cold medicines; if chronic, Cold transforms to Heat. In *Jinkui Yaolue*'s *Mahuang Xingren Yiyi Gancao Tang*, sweating after wind exposure and seeking cold is Cold; worsening fever at dusk is Heat generated from Cold. Mahuang expels Cold; Yiyi clears Heat. Without Heat, Yiyi is unnecessary. All these treatments align with the *Benjing*. Regarding Yiyi's physical properties: Ma Zhi noted "greenish-white is best"; Su Song said "fruits are greenish-white"; Lei Xiao said "small grains, green color, sweet taste." Thus, Yiyi is not purely white. Sprouts emerge in mid-spring and are green, absorbing much Wood Qi. Fruits are harvested in late autumn and are white, absorbing much Metal Qi. Green mixed with white represents the interaction of Metal and Wood. Sweet and bland taste enters the Stomach, not the Spleen. The Liver governs dispersing and draining; the Lungs govern descending and purifying; the Stomach is a fu organ for transmission and descent. Thus, Lung and Liver, leveraging Metal and Wood, move directly downward through the Stomach, Small Intestine, and Bladder. With its cold nature returning to the Kidney, how can Dampness remain? Later practitioners using diuresis to treat Hernia understood this well. Liu Shi claimed fruit formation in summer means Water Qi seeks Fire Qi. Ignorance! Fruit formation in summer shows Water fears no Fire and controls Fire. Water stays Water; why seek Fire? The phrase "directs Qi downward" in the *Benjing* holds such profound truth.

I previously refuted Liu Shi's claim that tendon spasm is due to dry fascia. Liu Shi annotated *Lingshu*: "Dampness makes tendons lax; if Dampness transforms to Heat and combines with it, it damages Blood; Blood fails to nourish tendons, causing contraction." While some spasms are due to Blood deficiency, this case is different. Zou Shi stated: "Tendons become firm and short when cold; they become lax and long when hot." This applies to non-Damp cases. With Dampness, large tendons swell transversely and shorten; small tendons stretch longitudinally and lengthen. This is universal. They shorten but do not become firm, differing from cold-induced shortening. Zou's theory of transverse swelling is superior to Liu's. However, *Lingshu* says "If Damp-Heat is not dispelled, large tendons become soft and short, small tendons become lax and long." Shortening implies Dampness has already transformed to Heat. Initially swollen, they don't shorten until Heat scorches the essence dispersed by the Liver to the tendons. "Not dispelled" implies Heat from Dampness has persisted, matching the *Benjing*. Yiyi stops Heat leakage and drives out Dampness, relaxing tendons instantly upon trial. If it were Blood damage requiring tonification, relief wouldn't be so easy.

In the *Benjing*, "Chronic Wind-Damp Bi" follows "Tendon spasm, inability to flex/extend," clearly indicating the disease involves tendons. The text seems disjointed. *Jinkui Yaolue*'s section on "Chest Bi with alternating tension and relaxation" illuminates this. Chest Bi is Wind-Damp Bi; in limbs, it manifests as immobility; in the chest, as alternating tension and relaxation. Both are chronic tendon diseases. Previous commentators struggled with "alternating tension and relaxation." Only Zou Shi, referencing Yin/Qiao vessels and Foot Yangming cheek tendons, and interpreting Chao Yuanfang's theory on Chest Bi, explained that Cold Qi rushing up due to deficiency creates Heat on the opposite side. Cold causes tension; Heat causes relaxation. This clarifies the matter brilliantly.

Question: Cold-Damp and Damp-Heat have specific drugs. If Dampness transforms to Heat, why use Yiyi instead of specific Damp-Heat drugs, and why not call it Damp-Heat? Answer: There is no such thing as "Heat Bi." Heat derived from Dampness ultimately retains Cold characteristics. Hence, it is called Chronic Wind-Damp Bi, not Damp-Heat Wind-Heat. The syndrome is Heat containing Cold; alternation is not solely due to Heat. Kou Zongshi noted: "Cold causes tendon tension; Cold-Heat causes spasm; heat alone does not cause spasm." Though slightly different from Zou, only Yiyi treats alternation. Why? Cold is essentially Damp; removing Damp removes Cold. Yiyi specializes in treating tendons. Then why did Zhang Zhongjing add Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata)? Answer: Chest Bi stems from Yang deficiency, requiring acrid-warm drugs. Fuzi is used instead of Xiebai or Guizhi because Yiyi may damage Yang; Fuzi counteracts this, taking the long and discarding the short. It is not that Yiyi treats Heat...

Li Shizhen said: Yiyi strengthens Spleen/Stomach; tonifying the mother treats deficiency, hence used for Feiwei and Feibing. Liu Shi said: Treat Wei by focusing on Yangming. Excess Yangming Damp-Heat causes Feiwei/Feibing. Clearing Damp-Heat from Large Intestine/Stomach cures them. Alas, both views are crude! "Treat Wei by focusing on Yangming" refers to Wei syndrome (flaccidity paralysis), not Feiwei (lung flaccidity). Can they be equated? Yiyi is a Lung herb, yet it doesn't treat Feiwei. It treats Feibing (lung abscess) when pus is expectorated, especially when "chest skin resembles fish scales" (Xiongzhong Jiacuo). Why? Fish-scale skin results from Lung Heat scorching fluids. Though on the skin, it connects to fascia, involving the Liver. Yiyi clears Lung Heat and resolves fascia dryness, making it excellent. *Qianjin Fang*'s Weijing Tang proves this. Why not treat Feiwei? Causes of Feiwei: 1. Deficiency-Cold (ignored here); 2. Heat scorching fluids causing dryness. In the latter, Yiyi cannot moisten and may deplete fluids further. Why treat Changbing (Intestinal Abscess)? Also due to body-wide skin scaling. Scaling indicates abscess; Yiyi is essential here, just as it is for Chest Bi's tension/relaxation. You Zaijing identified this Intestinal Abscess as Small Intestine Abscess, aligning with my theory of Yiyi moving from Stomach to Small Intestine to Bladder. Some doubt Lung herbs enter Large Intestine; why not Yiyi? Answer: This confirms Metal-Wood interaction; Liver governs drainage, making Yiyi a Liver herb. Yiyi's primary target is Liver, secondary Lung, then Stomach below. Formulas rarely use Yiyi for Stomach disease. Its "tonifying Earth" only supplements the Earth within the Liver ("All five Zang contain Earth"). Predecessors viewed Yiyi merely as a mild Middle Earth tonic, calling it gentle. But when used correctly, its effect is rapid; where is the gentleness?