Library

Background Information:
Book: Yao Xing Qie Yong (Essential Uses of Medicinal Properties)
Chapter: Jiao Bai (Zizania Latifolia Stem) / ... / Xiao Mai (Triticum aestivum L.) (Total 11 sections)
Category: Materia Medica

Original Text Processing:

One name is Jiao Sun, another name is Gu Mi. Its nature is sweet and cold, with a slippery texture; it clears heat and removes irritability, reduces jaundice, and promotes urination. Root: Named Gu Gen, its cold and purgative properties are stronger than those of Lu Gen (Reed Rhizome). Fruit: Named Diao Hu Mi, it can temporarily serve as food in times of famine.

One name is Zi Ying. Its nature is sweet, cold, and slightly salty; it drains heat, dissipates nodules, softens hardness, and eliminates goiter. Excessive consumption causes coldness in the middle jiao.

[Sweet Kelp/Zi Cai]: Nature is sweet, salty, and cold; it softens hardness, resolves phlegm, dissipates nodules, and eliminates goiter, with efficacy similar to Zi Cai.

[Kun Bu/Kelp]: Nature is sweet, salty, and greatly cold; it benefits the upper jiao by clearing floating heat but induces deficiency-cold in the lower jiao. If it is not an excess-heat syndrome, it should not be administered lightly.

[Shi Hua Cai/Gelidium]: Nature is sweet, cold, and slightly salty; it clears heat, dissipates nodules, promotes diuresis, and eliminates goiter, with efficacy slightly slower than Shi Hua Cai.

Commonly known as Yun Er. Nature is sweet and neutral, with a slippery texture; it moistens dryness and benefits the intestines. Ash from burning treats five types of hemorrhoids. Contraindicated for those with loose stools.

[Xiang Gu/Shiitake Mushroom]: Nature is sweet, neutral, and non-toxic; it is produced from glutinous rice seeds on Nan Mu trees and greatly benefits stomach qi. Its flavor and nature are no different from Ma Gu and Ji Zong. Ma Gu: Grows when mulberry or other trees are buried in soil and irrigated with rice wash water. Those growing in sandy areas of Yunnan have high stems and scattered caps; named Ji Zong Cai, its power benefits the stomach and clarifies the spirit. This type of Gu also resolves phlegm, while Ji Zong treats hemorrhoids; compared to Xiang Gu, its nature is more dispersing. A variety grown in barren land is thin and bland in taste, with a slightly astringent nature, named Rou Zhun, also edible, all being delicacies among vegetables. Tu Zhun: Born from stagnant and steaming qi, it most strongly aids damp-heat. Lei Zhun: Sweet and delicious, contraindicated for those with sores and scabies.

(Hemp, Wheat, Rice, Millet, Sorghum, Beans, Fermentations)

One name is Ju Sheng Zi, which is Zhi Ma (Sesame). Its nature is sweet and neutral; it benefits the liver and kidneys, moistens dryness, and fills essence. The black variety is superior. It should be steamed and sun-dried before use. Ma You (Sesame Oil): Lubricates childbirth, moistens dryness, and unblocks the intestines; contraindicated for those with intestinal slipperiness. Pi Shi Hu Ma, nature is sweet and slightly warm; treats severe wind sores and tinea, suitable only for medicinal use, not for dietary consumption.

[Da Mai/Farmer's Barley]: Nature is sweet and neutral; it moderates the spleen, moistens dryness, and lubricates the large intestine. Raw grinding may be too moistening; some are used after roasting.

[Xiao Mai/Wheat]: Flavor is sweet and slightly cold; it nourishes the heart, stops sweating, promotes urination, and removes irritability. Xiao Mai Mian (Wheat Flour): Nature is sweet and warm; it tonifies deficiency, nourishes qi, assists the stomach, and benefits the spleen. Excessive consumption leads to stagnation and distension, aiding dampness and generating fever. New wheat has a hot nature and is contraindicated for patients. Old wheat is better. Northern wheat is superior and can be consumed regularly. Xiao Mai Gan (Wheat Straw): Promotes urination; ash removes evil flesh; steaming and compressing treats bi-syndrome (painful obstruction).