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(Commonly known as Opium.)

[Flavor and Nature]
Acidic, astringent, warm, slightly toxic.

[Indications]
Treats diarrhea and dysentery accompanied by persistent rectal prolapse. It can secure and retain the essence of men. Currently, it is used in sexual arts. In the capital, a pill named "One-Pill Golden Elixir" (Yili Jindan) is sold, claiming to treat all diseases universally. These are merely techniques of charlatans.

[Wheat Qu (Xiaomai Qu)]
[Flavor and Nature]
Sweet, warm, non-toxic.

[Indications]
Promotes digestion of grains and stops dysentery. Harmonizes Stomach Qi. Eliminates hemorrhoids caused by food stagnation. Treats infantile convulsions due to improper diet. Regulates the Middle Jiao and directs rebellious Qi downward. Opens the appetite. Treats wind-cold invading the Zang-Fu organs. Primarily treats Huoluan (cholera-like syndrome), phlegm-Qi rebellion in the heart and diaphragm. Removes irritability and breaks up blood stasis masses. Tonifies deficiency and dispels cold qi. Relieves gastrointestinal obstruction and anorexia. Improves complexion. Induces abortion and expels so-called "ghost fetus" (abnormal gestation or accumulation). Stops ailments caused by eating raw fish (He Yu Zhi Ji).

[Barley Qu (Damai Qu)]
[Flavor and Nature]
Same as above.

[Indications]
Promotes digestion and harmonizes the Spleen and Stomach. Expels immature fetus. Breaks blood stasis. Take five sheng of Barley Qu, boil in one dou of water for three boils, divide into five doses. Boil until the grains resemble porridge, which will make the mother robust and strong.

[Flour Qu and Rice Qu (Mian Qu Mi Qu)]
[Flavor and Nature]
Same as above.

[Indications]
Eliminates food stagnation, alcohol stagnation, and glutinous rice stagnation. Grind into powder and take with wine for immediate cure. Other functions are the same as Wheat Qu.

(Etymology: Xing [饧] pronounced Xu. Clear and thin sugar is called Yi [饴]; thick sugar is called Xing. Sugar that is purple like amber is called Jiao Yi [胶饴] in prescriptions. Dry sugar is named Xing. Physicians use Yi, referring to Jiao Yi, which is wet sugar like thick honey. Those that solidify into blocks or are pulled white are Xing Tang [饧糖], which are not used medicinally.)

[Flavor and Nature]
Sweet, very warm, non-toxic, enters the Taiyin Meridian.

[Indications]
Tonifies deficiency and fatigue. Stops thirst and removes blood stasis. Tonifies deficiency-cold. Boosts Qi and strength. Stops borborygmus and throat pain. Treats hematemesis. Resolves phlegm, moistens the Lungs, and stops coughing. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifies the Middle Jiao. For bruising and blood stasis from trauma, stir-fry until charred and take with wine to expel evil blood. Furthermore, for severe toxic coughs due to Shanghan (Cold Damage), boil once in juice of Turnip Greens (Man Jing) and Scallion Bulbs (Xie), then take at once for good effect.
For people with weak Spleen and no appetite, small amounts can harmonize Stomach Qi. It is also used to harmonize other herbs. It can detoxify Fuzi (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata) and Caowutou (Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix). Ancient formulas like Jianzhong Tang (Middle-Jiao Building Decoction) use it frequently. Both sugar and wine are made from rice, but Yi Tang ranks in the Superior Grade, while wine ranks in the Medium Grade. This indicates that sugar is superior for its mild and moistening properties, whereas wine is inferior for causing intoxication and confusion. The Spleen desires relaxation; urgently, one should eat sweet foods to relax it. The sweetness of Yi Tang relaxes the Middle Jiao. Yi Tang is a medicine for the Qi aspect of the Spleen Meridian. Sweetness can tonify the insufficiency of the Spleen Qi.