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("Qu" sounds like "qu". Listed as Medium Grade in the *Shennong Bencao Jing*.)

[Names] Qu Mai (from *Erya*), Ju Ju Mai, Zhu (from *Rihua Bencao*), Nantianzhu Cao (from *Bencao Gangmu*).
Tao Hongjing said: Its seeds resemble wheat, hence the name Qumai.
Li Shizhen said: According to Lu Duan's explanation of the *Han Shi Waizhuan*: growing on both sides is called "Qu". This refers to the ears of this wheat growing from the sides. *Erya* writes it as "Ju", with pronunciations Qu and Qu. *Rihua Bencao* states: also known as Yanmai (Oat), also known as Dulao Cao; this is incorrect. Yanmai is Que Mai (Barnyard Grass). The characters "Que" and "Qu" are similar, resulting from transcription errors.

[Collection and Explanation] *Mingyi Bielu* states: Qumai grows in the valleys of Mount Tai; harvest the fruits at Start of Autumn and dry in the shade.
Tao Hongjing said: It is now produced in nearby regions. One stem produces fine leaves; flowers are red-purple-red, quite lovely. Harvest together with leaves; seeds somewhat resemble wheat. There are two varieties: one slightly larger, with forked petal edges; it is unknown which is correct. Currently, the market uses the smaller variety. Another variety has broader leaves similar but hairy, blooms late and is very red.
Su Song said: It is found everywhere. Seedlings are about one chi high, leaves are small and pointed green, roots are purple-black, shaped like thin Manjing (Vitex trifolia var. heterophylla). Flowers are red-purple-red, resembling Azalea (Yingshanhong), blooming from February to May. Bears fruit in July forming spikes; seeds resemble wheat. Those from Heyang and Hezhong Fu have usable seedlings. Those from Huaidian have fine roots, used by villagers for brooms. *Erya* calls it Daju, *Guangya* calls it Ziwei; these refer to it.
Li Shizhen said: Dianthus leaves resemble Kochia leaves but are sharper and smaller, also like young bamboo leaves but narrower. Stems are slender with nodes, over a chi high, flowering at the tips. Wild ones have flowers as large as coins, red-purple. Cultivated ones have slightly smaller, charming flowers, with red, white, pink, purple-red mottled colors, commonly called Luoyang Hua. Seeds resemble oats, containing small black seeds inside. Young shoots blanched and rinsed are edible.

[Processing] Lei Xiao said: When used, only the stamen/sheath is taken, not stems or leaves. If used together, it causes emptiness in the heart, leading to qi obstruction and urinary incontinence. When using, soak in Bamboo Sap (Zhuli) for one shichen (2 hours), drain and dry.

[Flavor and Toxicity] Bitter, Cold, Non-toxic. *Mingyi Bielu* says: Pungent. Li Quan says: Sweet.
Xu Zhicai said: Weicao (Plantago asiatica) and Mudan (Paeonia suffruticosa) act as its guiding herbs (Shi); it is opposed by Piaoxiao (Mantis Egg Case) and can subdue Dansha (Cinnabar).

[Indications] Guan Ge (obstruction syndrome) and various Long Jie (strangulation/knotting syndromes), urinary retention, expelling spicules, resolving abscesses and swelling, brightening eyes and removing nebula, breaking fetal stagnation and inducing abortion, draining stagnant blood (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Nourishes Kidney Qi, drives out pathogenic rebellion in the Bladder, stops cholera, promotes hair growth, drains pus and resolves masses (*Daming Bencao*).

[Leaf Indications] Hemorrhoids and bloody diarrhea, cooked in soup or porridge. Also treats pediatric ascariasis, and reactions to Dan-Shi medicines. Also treats eye swelling/pain and toxic swellings, applied externally after pounding. Treats Jin Yin Chuang (oozing sores) and women's yin sores (*Daming Bencao*).

[Elucidation] Zhang Gao said: Qumai benefits urination and serves as the Sovereign herb.
Su Song said: In ancient and modern formulas, benefiting the Heart Meridian and promoting Small Intestine function is most crucial.
Kou Zongshi said: Ba Zheng San uses Qumai; people today consider it an essential herb. If the Heart Meridian has heat but the Small Intestine is deficient, taking it will leave Heart heat unresolved while causing new Small Intestine pathology. Since the Small Intestine and Heart are exterior-interior partners for transmission, this herb enters the Small Intestine. Materia Medica texts do not treat Heart heat directly. If there is no severe Heart heat, treat the Heart directly, or if suppression is incomplete, seek its associated organ to diminish the pathogen.
Li Shizhen said: Recent ancient physicians treating difficult labor use Dianthus Flower Decoction; for bleeding from nine orifices, they use Nantianzhu Yin. Both utilize its ability to break blood stasis and benefit orifices.

[Attached Prescriptions] Six old, five new.
Urinary calculi (Stone Lin), suitable for breaking blood stasis: Pound Qumai seeds into powder, take one Fang Cun Bi with wine, three times daily. Stones should pass within three days (*Waitai Miyao*).
Urinary difficulty with water retention, Gualou Qumai Wan is indicated: Qumai 2.5 qian, Gualou Gen 2 liang, Da Fuzi 1 piece, Fuling and Shanyu each 3 liang. Pound into powder, mix with honey to make pills the size of Wuzi (walnut seeds). Take 3 pills per dose, three times daily. If ineffective, increase to 7-8 pills. Effectiveness is confirmed by free urination and warmth in the abdomen (*Jingui Yaolue* by Zhang Zhongjing).
Lower Jiao constrained heat, urinary strangulation/retention, possibly with blood discharge, or bleeding from both bowels and urine: Qumai Sui 1 liang, Gancao (roasted) 7.5 qian, Shanzhizi Ren (stir-fried) 0.5 liang. Pound into powder. Take 7 qian per dose, with 7 scallion heads (with roots), 50 stems of Dengxin, 5 slices of Shengjiang. Add 2 bowls of water, decoct to 0.7 bowl, take warm occasionally. Named Lixiao San (*Qianjin Fang*).
Dead fetus in uterus or delivery delayed for several days: Boil Qumai to make a concentrated decoction and drink (*Qianjin Fang*).
Bleeding from nine orifices, uncontrolled by other medicines: A handful of Nantianzhu Cao (i.e., Qumai) the size of a thumb, 30 Shanzhizi Ren, one piece of Shengjiang, 0.5 liang Gancao (roasted), a small handful of Dengcao, 5 Dazao. Decoct in water and drink (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Red swollen painful eyes, oozing sores: Fry Qumai until yellow, pound into powder. Mix with Goose Saliva to apply to the affected area until it opens. Or pound into juice and apply (*Shenghui Fang*).
Foreign body in eye causing nebula that does not exit, or skin nebula formation: Qumai and Ganjiang (roasted) pounded into powder. Mix with well-water (Jinghua Shui) and take 2 qian, twice daily.
Fish Umbilical Ding Chuang (carbuncle): Burn Qumai to ash, mix with oil and apply; very effective (*Cui Shi Fang*).
Bone splinter stuck in throat: Qumai pounded into powder. Take one Fang Cun Bi with water, twice daily (*Waitai Miyao*).
Bamboo/wood splinter in flesh: Qumai pounded into powder. Take one Fang Cun Bi with water. Or boil juice and drink three times daily (*Mei Shi Fang*).
Arrowhead or blade stuck in flesh or hidden areas like throat/chest/diaphragm: Take one Fang Cun Bi of Qumai powder with wine, three times daily (*Qianjin Fang*).