Library

[Background Information]
Book: Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu)
Author: Li Shizhen
Dynasty: Ming Dynasty, 6th Year of Wanli
Chapter: Jing (Japonica Oryzae Semen)
Category: Materia Medica

(Pronounced 'Geng'. Middle Grade in *Bielu*)
[Names] (Same meaning as "Jing").
Li Shizhen said: "Jing" is the general name for rice grains, with early, middle, and late harvests. It is incorrect for various materia medica texts to refer exclusively to late-season rice as "Jing". Sticky rice is called Nuomi (Glutinous Rice), while non-sticky rice is called Jingmi (Japonica Rice). "Nu" implies softness/submissiveness, while "Jing" implies hardness. However, when used in heat-clearing and detoxifying prescriptions, late-harvest Jingmi is considered superior.
[Collected Explanations] Tao Hongjing said: Jingmi is the rice commonly eaten by people today; there are four or five varieties differing in color (white, red) and size (small, large), but they belong to the same category. It can be used as reserve grain.
Meng Shen said: It is most abundant between the Huai and Si rivers. The local Jingmi produced in Xiangyang and Luoyang is also firm and fragrant. In the south, "Fire Rice" (rice grown on burned land) is harvested, which is most beneficial to the human body. Although Jingmi is available everywhere, it merely serves to satisfy hunger.
Li Shizhen said: There are two types of Jing rice: paddy rice (Shuidao) and dry-field rice (Handao). In the south, where the land is low and muddy, paddy rice is mostly suitable. In the north, where the land is flat, only marshy soil is suitable for dry-field rice. People in the southwestern barbarian regions also burn mountain lands to plant dry-field rice, calling it "Fire Rice." In ancient times, seeds were sown directly into plots, so rice was referred to as "fine vegetables" in sacrifices; nowadays, seedlings are pulled up and transplanted. There are nearly a hundred varieties with different names, all adapted to the suitability of the land. The grains differ in luster, awns, length, shortness, size, and fineness. The milled rice differs in color (red, white, purple, black), texture (hard, loose), and aroma. Its nature (warm, cool, cold, hot) also varies according to the origin, color, and shape. In Zhenla (Chenla), there is paddy rice growing over a zhang high, extending with the water level. In the south, there is rice that ripens twice a year. The "Fragrant Jing" described by Su Song is long, white as jade, and suitable for imperial tribute. These are all slightly different varieties of Jingmi.
Japonica Oryzae Semen (Jingmi)
[Flavor and Nature] Sweet, bitter, neutral, non-toxic.
Sun Simiao said: Raw is cold; roasted/cooked is hot.
Li Shizhen said: Northern Jingmi is cool; Southern Jingmi is warm. Red Jingmi is hot; White Jingmi is cool; Late White Jingmi is cold. New Jingmi is hot; Aged Jingmi is cool. Those who have a craving for raw rice may develop a "Rice Mass" (Mi Jia - a accumulation caused by indigestion of rice) over time, which is treated with Baiji Shi (White Chicken Droppings).
Zhao Ying said: Newly harvested rice can stir up wind-qi upon consumption. Aged rice directs qi downward and is especially suitable for patients.
Meng Shen said: Regularly eating dry Jingmi rice causes internal heat, leading to dry lips and mouth. It should not be eaten with horse meat, as this may trigger chronic diseases. It should not be consumed with Cocklebur (Canger), as this may cause sudden heart pain. One should urgently consume ash from stored rice mixed with honey water; otherwise, death may ensue.
[Therapeutic Actions] Tonifies Qi, relieves irritability and thirst, stops diarrhea (*Bielu*). Warms the middle, harmonizes Stomach Qi, promotes muscle growth (*Shuben*). Tonifies the center, strengthens sinews and bones, benefits the intestines and stomach (*Rihua*). Decoction treats heart pain, relieves thirst, and stops dysentery due to heat-toxin (Meng Shen). Eaten as porridge with Euryale Seed (Qianshi), it benefits essence, strengthens willpower, and improves hearing and vision (Haogu). Unblocks blood vessels, harmonizes the Five Viscera, and enhances complexion (Li Shizhen, from *Yangsheng Jiyao*). Regularly eating dry Jingmi rice...
[Elucidation] Meng Shen said: Among Jingmi, the red variety has large grains and fragrance; soaking it in water yields beneficial properties. Generally, newly harvested rice stirs up Qi, and even rice aged two years may cause illness. Only in Jiangnan do people store Fire Rice in granaries, burn off the husks, and mill it for consumption in spring, which prevents illness, warms the middle, tonifies Qi, and supplements the Lower Yuan.
Kou Zongshi said: White late-harvest Jingmi is the best; early-maturing rice is inferior. It harmonizes the Five Viscera and tonifies Stomach Qi, with unmatched efficacy. However, if slightly undercooked, it fails to benefit the Spleen; it is best when fully cooked.
Zhao Ying said: Jingmi has early, middle, and late harvests, with white late-harvest rice being the best. Produced in various places, there are many species; flavors and natures may vary slightly but are not significantly different. Heaven and Earth naturally produce the Five Grains to nourish humans; obtaining them ensures life, while lacking them leads to death. This grain alone obtains the harmonious Qi of Heaven and Earth and shares the creative power of generation, making it incomparable to other substances. Its medicinal efficacy is secondary.
Li Haogu said: *Materia Medica* states that Jingmi benefits the Spleen and Stomach, yet Zhang Zhongjing uses it in Baihu Tang (White Tiger Decoction) to enter the Lung Meridian. Its sweet flavor corresponds to the Yangming Meridian, its white color corresponds to the West, and its cold nature enters the Hand Taiyin (Lung) Meridian. In Shaoyin syndrome, Taohua Tang (Peach Kernel Decoction) uses it to tonify righteous Qi. Zhuyegao Tang (Bamboo Leaf and Gypsum Decoction) uses it to supplement insufficiency.
Li Shizhen said: Rice harvested in the 6th and 7th lunar months is Early Jing (only suitable for food); harvested in the 8th and 9th months is Late Jing; harvested in the 10th month is Very Late Jing.
The North has cold Qi, so Jingmi is mostly cool; harvested in the 8th and 9th months, it is suitable for medicine. The South has hot Qi, so Jingmi is mostly warm; only Very Late Rice harvested in the 10th month, which is cool, is suitable for medicine. Late and Very Late Jing receive more Metal Qi, so the white variety enters the Lungs to clear heat. Early Jing receives more Earth Qi, so the red variety benefits the Spleen and the white variety benefits the Stomach. Jingmi from Yunnan and Lingnan is hot-natured, suited only to their local conditions.
[Attached Prescriptions] Two old, ten new.
Typhoid-like disorder with vomiting, diarrhea, extreme irritability, and thirst: Grind 2 he of Jingmi into powder, add 2 cups of water, grind to extract juice, mix with 1 he of Bamboo Sap (Danzhuli), and take in one dose (*Puji Fang*).
Dysentery with heat and restlessness: Take 0.5 sheng of Jingmi, grind in water to extract juice, put into an oil-glazed porcelain bottle, seal with wax paper, sink to the bottom of a well overnight, and take at dawn. The wet nurse of Academician Wu suffered from this and was effective after taking it (*Puji Fang*).
Spontaneous sweating that does not stop: Wrap Jingmi flour in silk cloth and frequently dust/powder the body.
Five types of Corpse Disease: Boil 2 sheng of Jingmi in 6 sheng of water until it boils once, take, three times a day (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*).
Sudden Heart Qi Pain: Boil 2 sheng of Jingmi in 6 sheng of water for six or seven boils, take (*Zhouhou Fang*).
Rice Craving Disorder: Some people crave rice; over time it becomes a disorder. Without rice, they vomit clear fluid; with rice, it stops. The rice is not digested, and prolonged cases lead to death: Use 5 he of white rice and 1 sheng of chicken droppings, stir-fry until scorched, grind to powder. Add 1 sheng of water, take in one dose. After a short time, the patient vomits the mass, resembling ground rice juice or white foam/dilute water, then recovers (*Qianjin Fang*).
Infants three days old, whose gastrointestinal tract should be opened and Grain Spirit assisted: Make thick juice from crushed rice, like yogurt/cheese, give small amounts (bean-sized) frequently. At fourteen days, solid food can be introduced; strictly avoid miscellaneous medicines (*Zhouhou Fang*).
Newborns with no skin, red flesh only, indicating incomplete conception: Dust with Early White Rice Flour; skin will grow naturally (*Puji Fang*).
Sweet Sores in children, appearing on face and ears: Have the mother frequently chew white rice and apply it at bedtime. Cures within three to five applications.
Famine Grain Avoidance (Bigu): Soak 1 dou of Jingmi in 3 sheng of wine, dry in sun, soak again, repeat until wine is exhausted. Take out and eat slightly; can avoid grain for thirty days. To last a year, 1 hu 3 sheng is sufficient (*Zhouhou Fang*).
Fetal Movement with Abdominal Pain, urgent discharge of yellow fluid: Boil 5 sheng of Jingmi with 6 liang of [Yellow Herb, likely Huangqin or similar contextually implied, text says 'Huang'] in 7 sheng of water, reduce to 2 sheng, divide into four doses (*Shenghui Fang*).
Red-rooted Carbuncle/Sore: Fry white powder until black, mix with honey, and apply (*Qianjin Fang*).
Xi Er Gan (Second Rice Washing Water)
[Names] Mi Shen (Rice Sediment/Water).
Li Shizhen said: "Xi" (pronounced 'Xi') means washing rice. "Shen" means sediment/juice. "Gan" means sweet juice. The second washing is clear and usable, hence called Xi Er Gan.
[Flavor and Nature] Sweet, cold, non-toxic.
[Therapeutic Actions] Clears heat, relieves irritability and thirst, promotes urination, cools blood (Li Shizhen).
[Elucidation] Dai Yuanli said: For red eyes due to Wind-Heat, use Xi Er Gan at bedtime to cold-mix and wash with Xigan San (Liver-Washing Powder) or Ju Hua San (Chrysanthemum Powder), then take internally.
[Attached Prescriptions] Four new.
Unceasing Hematemesis: Warm and drink one cup of aged red rice washing water, three times a day (*Puji Fang*).
Epistaxis: Frequently drink Xi Er Gan, and additionally drip real sesame oil or radish juice into the nose (*Zhengzhi Yaojue*).
Rhinitis/Rose Acne on Nose: Drink Xi Er Gan chilled after meals. Externally, place sulfur inside a large radish, roast, grind, and apply (*Zhengzhi Yaojue*).
Overdose of Medication causing oppression and confusion: Drink Jingmi water (*Waitai Miyao*).
Stir-Fried Rice Soup
[Therapeutic Actions] Benefits Stomach, removes dampness. If fire-toxin is not removed, it causes thirst (Li Shizhen).
Jing Gu Nu (Blackened Rice Ear/Husk)
[Therapeutic Actions] Treats Ma Hous Bi (rapidly progressing throat obstruction). Burn, grind, take with wine using a square-cun measure, immediate effect (Li Shizhen, from *Qianjin*).
Rice Straw (He Gan)
[Therapeutic Actions] Resolves Arsenic Poison. Burn to ash, leach with fresh drawn water, filter clear, take one bowl cold; poison will be expelled (Li Shizhen, from *Weisheng Yijian Fang*).