Library

**Vigna unguiculata (Cowpea/Long Bean):** Pungent and astringent, neutral in nature. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. Its primary functions are to dissipate blood stasis, reduce swelling, clear heat, and resolve toxicity. It treats Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst syndrome), vomiting, diarrhea, dysentery, and frequent urination. It resolves the toxicity of *Ratou* (mouse mang poison).

**Triticum aestivum (Wheat):** Sweet in taste. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. Its primary functions are to direct Qi downward and relieve summerheat. When combined with Moslae Herba (*Xiangru*), it treats Huoluan (cholera-like syndrome) with vomiting and diarrhea. When combined with Trichosanthis Radix (*Tianguahua*), it treats Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst syndrome). Stir-fried and ground into powder, taken with rice water decoction, it treats red and white leukorrhea. It is contraindicated in cases where Shaoyang disease pathogens are blazing. Using the bran is superior to using the kernel, as the bran clears summerheat without obstructing Qi flow. If used to tonify the Spleen, both bran and kernel should be used together.

**Glycine max (Black Soybean/Maliao Dou):** Bitter and astringent, warm in nature. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung, Foot-Taiyin Spleen, Hand-Yangming Large Intestine, and Foot-Yangming Stomach meridians. Its primary function is to strengthen the Spleen and Stomach. It treats Zeifeng (wind invasion) and Fengbi (wind-bi syndrome). Commonly known as Maliao Dou.

**Glycine max (Soybean):** Sweet and warm in taste. Enters the Hand-Yangming Large Intestine and Foot-Yangming Stomach meridians. Its primary functions are to warm the Middle Jiao, direct Qi downward, benefit the intestines and stomach, and tonify the Kidney to restore the Yuan Qi. Take the beans, char them until they retain their medicinal properties (charred but not ashed), and administer with plain water. It is highly effective for treating hiccups.

**Lupinus angustifolius (Blue Lupin/Lidou):** Sweet and slightly bitter, warm in nature, with slight toxicity. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung and Foot-Taiyin Spleen meridians. Its primary function is to warm the Middle Jiao and augment Qi. Excessive consumption causes chest stuffiness. Also known as Lidou, named so because its bean surface resembles the pattern of a fox's head.

**Vigna radiata (Mung Bean):** Bitter and cold in nature. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian. Its primary functions are to drain the Lungs, clear heat, direct Qi downward, and harmonize the Middle Jiao. Combined with Scallion, it induces sweating. Combined with Gardenia or Salt, it induces vomiting. Combined with Wine, it treats wind disorders. Combined with Allium macrostemon (*Xie*), it treats dysentery. Combined with Garlic, it stops bleeding. When stir-fried cooked, it stops sweating. In cases where Shanghan (cold damage) pathogens directly invade the Three Yin meridians, enter Yin meridians, or cause heat binding in the chest with restlessness, conditions that require purgation rather than diaphoresis, Mung Bean must be avoided.

**Phaseolus vulgaris Sprout (Bean Sprout):** Sweet and neutral in taste. Enters the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian. Its primary functions are to eliminate accumulated heat in the Stomach, reduce edema and distension from water diseases, break up evil blood in women, treat damp-bi with tendon spasms and knee pain, and treat Xia'er Cuokou (neonatal tetanus/jaw lock). Take fresh bean sprouts, grind them into a paste, squeeze out the juice, mix with milk, and administer a small amount orally for immediate cure.

**Triticum aestivum Bran (Wheat Bran):** Sweet and salty, cold in nature. Enters the Hand-Taiyin Lung, Foot-Taiyin Spleen, Hand-Yangming Large Intestine, and Foot-Yangming Stomach meridians. Its primary functions are to clear heat, dissipate blood stasis, harmonize the Spleen and Stomach, reduce distension, and descend turbid Qi from the Large Intestine. For those poisoned by it, detoxify with Radish Seed Decoction.

**Hordeum vulgare (Barley):** Sweet and neutral in taste. Enters the Foot-Taiyin Spleen and Foot-Yangming Stomach meridians. Its primary functions are to digest grains and promote urination. Formed into pills with Garlic and Fermented Soybean (*Danchidou*), it treats chronic Lin syndrome (dysuria).

**Triticum aestivum (Floating Wheat/Fuxiaomai):** Sweet and slightly cold in nature. Enters the Hand-Shaoyin Heart Meridian. Its primary functions are to nourish the Heart and calm the Liver. Combined with Akebia Caulis (*Tongcao*), it treats Wulin (five types of dysuria) in the elderly. Combined with Sargassum (*Haizao*), it reduces Yingqi (goiter/thyroid swelling). Steamed with wheat bran and vinegar, it dissipates blood stasis and relieves pain; applied as a hot compress to waist and leg fractures, wind-damp bi pain, and Han Shi Xiangjiao (cold-damp gout), changing the compress five times until sweating occurs yields good results. Floating Wheat is salty and cool in nature, stopping deficiency sweating, night sweats, and bone-steaming tidal fever caused by labor exhaustion. These are the grains that float when washed in water, dried by roasting before use.

**Triticum aestivum Mold (Mai Nu):** This refers to the black mold found on the ears of wheat just before harvest, called Mai Nu. It is collected to treat Yang Du (yang toxicity) and Wen Du (warm toxicity) manifesting as thirst, high fever, and mania. It is also highly effective for Wen Nue (warm malaria). The best material is old wheat stalks stored outdoors; take three to five stalks, wash off the dirt, cut into inch-long pieces, decoct, and drink. It is highly effective for treating difficult labor.