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Black Soybean: The qi is neutral, and the taste is sweet.
*Bencao* states: Applied externally to treat carbuncles and swellings. Drinking the decoction kills "ghost toxins" (metaphorical for severe toxic pathogens), relieves pain, resolves Aconite toxicity, and clears heat-bi in the stomach. It treats "shang zhong lin lu" (a condition involving damp-heat or deficiency leading to dribbling discharge), expels water-induced distension, and drives out blood stasis. Long-term consumption causes heaviness of the body. Stir-fry until black, while smoke is still rising, throw into hot wine to treat wind-bi, carbuncles with paralysis, trismus (lockjaw), and various postpartum wind syndromes. Take half a handful raw after meals to clear vexation and heat from the chest and heart. It brightens the eyes, calms the heart spirit, and prevents forgetfulness. It is incompatible with Wu Shen (the five Ginsengs: Ren Shen, Dan Shen, Sha Shen, Ku Shen, Xuan Shen) and Long Dan Cao (Gentianae Radix). It works well when combined with Qian Hu (Peucedani Radix), Wu Hui (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata), Xing Ren (Armeniacae Semen Amarum), and Mu Li (Ostreae Concha).

Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven): The qi is warm, and the taste is sweet and salty. It is non-toxic.
*Xiang* (Lei Xiao's *Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun*) states: Tonifies spleen and stomach deficiency, and relaxes the intestines and stomach. It must be pounded finely, stir-fried until yellow, and the flour part used.
*Bencao* states: It can digest retained food, break up cold qi in masses, and remove abdominal fullness. It opens the appetite, stops cholera-like vomiting and diarrhea, removes vexation, and eliminates phlegm. It treats postpartum constipation and鼓胀 (drum-like distension) with obstruction. Da Mai (Hordei Fructus Germinatus) and Shen Qu are suitable for people with qi deficiency; they serve to replace the functions of Wu Ji Earth (Spleen and Stomach) in rotting and ripening water and grain. They act as guiding herbs (shi) when combined with Dou Kou (Cardamomi Fructus), Suo Sha (Amomi Fructus), Mu Gua (Chaenomelis Fructus), Shao Yao (Paeoniae Radix), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandrae Fructus), and Wu Mei (Mume Fructus).

Xiao Mai (Wheat): The qi is slightly cold, and the taste is sweet. It is non-toxic.
*Bencao* states: Clears heat, stops dry thirst and dry throat, promotes urination, nourishes liver qi, stops bleeding (such as dribbling blood or blood in saliva). Qing Hao San contains 100 grains of wheat to treat bone-steaming and muscle-heat in adults and children, and labor-heat (deficiency heat) in women.

Mai Fu (Wheat Bran): The qi is warm, and the taste is sweet.
Enters the Foot-Yangming Meridian.
*Xiang* states: Promotes digestion, treats indigestion due to spleen and stomach dysfunction; it should be added in small amounts to formulas for the spleen and stomach. Use after slight stir-frying until yellow.
*Zhen* (Zhang Yuansu's *Yixue Qiyuan*) states: Benefits stomach qi.
*Bencao* states: Treats wind qi in the zang-fu organs, regulates the middle jiao and descends adverse qi, opens the appetite, and digests retained food. It primarily treats cholera, and rebellious qi/phlegm in the heart and diaphragm. It removes vexation, breaks up masses, tonifies deficiency, removes cold qi, clears obstructions in the intestines and stomach, and restores appetite. It improves complexion. It induces abortion and expels "ghost fetus" (abnormal gestational masses). It also treats infants with hard, large abdomens like a plate, chest fullness, restless fetus, lower back pain radiating to the heart, and continuous bleeding. Stir-frying with fire assists the Qi of Heaven and Five Elements, entering the Foot-Yangming Meridian.