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Maiya (Hordei Fructus Germinatus): Sweet and salty in flavor, warm in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians. Its main functions are to warm the middle and direct Qi downward, open the stomach and strengthen the spleen, induce labor and expel the fetus, remove retained food, eliminate distension and fullness, stop vomiting and regurgitation, break up mass formations, dissipate phlegm and痞 (痞证: sensation of fullness or obstruction without tangible mass), stir-frying removes its ascending properties (芒: sharp/ascending nature), and further stir-frying until scorched yellow for grinding; Honey is its guiding substance.
Commentary: Maiya is sweet and warm, suitable for managing the Middle Jiao (central digestive system). Wheat's nature is sticky and obstructive; merely soaking it in water to sprout makes its Qi slightly clear, but its nature remains untransformed. Why are its effects so significantly different? It lies entirely in extensive stir-frying, which renders its nature dry and astringent; otherwise, it would become retained food itself, how could it possibly digest food? Zhu Danxi said: "Barley has fire, capable of generating heat diseases; its sprouts can move stagnant blood in the Upper Jiao and eliminate cold rumbling in the abdomen, however, excessive use or long-term consumption damages the Kidney essence."

Shenqu (Medicated Leaven): Sweet in flavor, warm in nature, non-toxic. Enters the Spleen and Stomach meridians. Its main functions are to harmonize the middle and stop diarrhea, open the stomach and digest food, break up mass formations, drive out accumulated phlegm, eliminate distension and fullness. It also mainly treats fetal Qi rushing to the heart region, continuous bleeding, and can also expel "ghost fetus" (a term for abdominal masses or pseudocyesis).
Commentary: Shenqu is sweet and warm, beloved by the Spleen and Stomach, thus entering both meridians. It is originally made from wheat flour; it must possess the "Qi of the Six Deities" to be considered good; otherwise, what difference is there between it and ordinary bread? The method involves using five jin of flour on the sixth day of the sixth month to symbolize White Tiger (Baihu); one bowl of natural juice from Xanthium strumarium (Cang Er Cao) to symbolize Gouchen; one bowl of natural juice from Chenopodium album var. hybridum (Ye Li) to symbolize Tengshe; one bowl of natural juice from Artemisia annua (Qing Hao) to symbolize Qinglong; five liang of Almond seeds (Xing Ren) with skin and tips removed, along with northern river water, to symbolize Xuanwu.
Leigong's processing method states: Whenever used, after pounding into powder, dig a pit two chi deep, wrap the material and place it in the pit, leave overnight, then take out and bake dry for use.

Jiu (Alcohol/Wine): Bitter and sweet in flavor, extremely hot in nature, toxic. Enters the Twelve Meridians. Its main functions are to drive away pathogenic factors, ward off foul odors, resist mist and dew, resolve miasma and pestilence, warm the Spleen and Stomach, break up mass formations, assist medicinal potency, thicken the intestines and bowels, preserve complexion, promote blood circulation, and nourish the skin and muscles. Avoid consuming with various sweet foods and dairy products simultaneously.
Commentary: The application of Alcohol is pervasive, penetrating every detail, thus entering all meridians. Although its therapeutic scope is broad, it can ignite heat within dampness; excessive drinking causes Ministerial Fire to flare up, scorching the Lung meridian, often leading to phlegm and cough. The Spleen becomes fatigued due to fire, the Stomach vomits due to fire, the Heart becomes confused and manic due to fire, the Liver becomes prone to anger due to fire, the Gallbladder... death follows immediately. Can one not be cautious?