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Da Mai Ya (Hordei Fructus Germinatus), salty in flavor, warm in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians. It is particularly effective in digesting rice and grain foods and resolving phlegm. Pregnant women should avoid taking it; excessive use may cause miscarriage. However, using only one or two qian (approx. 3-6 grams) is harmless. Specifically, sugar brewed from Da Mai (Hordeum vulgare) must be strictly prohibited for pregnant women. Excessive consumption severely depletes Kidney Yin (Kidney Water), inevitably damaging the fetal origin.

One might ask: Since Mai Ya is also a type of grain, why can it digest rice food? The reason is that although Mai Ya is similar to grains in category, their flavors and properties counteract each other. Mai Ya gathers the Qi of the four seasons, especially possessing abundant Summer Qi, whereas grains possess Autumn Qi. Summer Qi overcomes Autumn Qi; when grains encounter Mai Ya, it is akin to Autumn encountering Summer Qi. How could digestion not occur?

Another question arises: Mai Ya digests food and resolves phlegm. People in the Jiangbei and Central Plains regions consume large amounts of wheat noodles; theoretically, phlegm and food should be largely resolved. Why are cases of food stagnation with phlegm so common? Mai Ya is the sprout of Da Mai (Barley), not Xiao Mai (Wheat). Da Mai and Xiao Mai have different natures and distinct functions. Xiao Mai nourishes the body, while Da Mai can harm it. Furthermore, the function of sprouted Mai Ya differs from un-sprouted wheat. Un-sprouted Da Mai has a static nature, while sprouted Da Mai has an active nature. Activity leads to transformation, and transformation leads to digestion. What is there to doubt?

One asks: Xiao Mai also receives Summer Qi, so why does it not overcome grains? Although Xiao Mai is similar to Da Mai, their early and mid-season natures differ. Da Mai receives the initial Qi of Summer, which has a reducing/overcoming quality, while Xiao Mai receives the middle Qi of Summer, which is peaceful. Therefore, Da Mai digests grains, while Xiao Mai nourishes the Stomach. Additionally, Xiao Mai lacks awns, and its husks detach easily, making its physical form quite different. Observe that the awns of Da Mai can resolve formless edema, whereas the husks of Xiao Mai cannot resolve dampness. Is this not clear evidence of one being tonifying and the other draining?

Chi Xiao Dou (Adzuki Bean), pungent, sweet, and sour in flavor, warm yet neutral in nature, representing Yang within Yin, non-toxic. Enters the Spleen meridian. It promotes urination to drain fluids, treats weeping yellow ulcers, relieves alcohol intoxication, dries dampness causing swelling of hands and feet, and treats Hong Kong Foot (podagra/swollen foot) where the umbilicus protrudes. However, it specifically drains water and expels body fluids; long-term use causes dryness and roughness. It can be used temporarily to promote diuresis but should not be used long-term to seep out dampness. Dampness syndromes often belong to Qi deficiency. If diuretics are used for Qi deficiency, the more one urinates, the weaker the Qi becomes, and the dampness cannot be removed. Moreover, Chi Xiao Dou specifically drains water from the lower body but cannot drain dampness from the upper body. Dampness in the lower body is "true dampness," and treatment is effective. Dampness in the upper body is "deficiency dampness"; using Chi Xiao Dou here exacerbates the condition. This distinction must not be overlooked.

One asks: Is Chi Xiao Dou the same as the red beans found in home gardens? The answer is no; it is a different species. Its color shines like cinnabar, with a black spot on the head resembling lacquer. The garden red bean, named "Hong," is actually purple in color. It can alleviate hunger but cannot promote diuresis or remove dampness. Excessive consumption damages blood. Its functions are completely different from Chi Xiao Dou. Do not mistakenly use garden red beans in place of Chi Xiao Dou.