INDIVIDUAL HERBS

Pharmaceutical Latin: Fructus Hordei Germinatus
Common English: Barley Sprouts
Malt
Herbs that Relieve Food Stagnation
Taste Temperature Entering Meridians Dosage
Sweet
Neutral
(Warm)
(Slightly Cold)
Liver
Spleen
Stomach
9-30g
Powder: 6-14g
For restraining lactation: 30-120g
Actions Indications/Syndromes

Reduces Food Stagnation, improves digestion and strengthens the Stomach

Food Stagnation due to undigested starchy foods or grains and all types of fruit

Poorly digested milk in infants

Food Stagnation due to Spleen Qi Deficiency with weak digestion and anorexia (weak function)

Inhibits lactation

Discontinuation of nursing

Painful, distended breasts

Facilitates the smooth flow of Liver Qi

As an adjunctive for Liver Qi Stagnation with a stifling sensation or distention in the epigastrium or ribs, belching and anorexia

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Contraindicated for lactating women except in very low dosage (9g).
  • Long-term use may injure the Kidneys.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS
  • Use with caution when used with anti-diabetic drugs such as insulin, tolbutamide (Orinase), glipizide (Glucotrol) and glyburide (DiaBeta/Micronase) as there may be a synergistic effect leading to to hypoglycemia.

Rz. Zingiberis
Gan Jiang

Tonifying herbs

Massa Medicata Fermentata
Shen Qu

Indigestion due to Spleen and Stomach Deficiencies.

Prevents gas and distention.

Dry-fried for indigestion due to Food Stagnation (large dosage).

Dry-fried for breast tenderness and swelling due to discontinuation of lactation (large dosage).

Hb. Artemisiae Scopariae
Yin Chen
Fr. Toosendan
Chuan Lian Zi

Fr. Setariae/Oryzae Germinatus
Gu Ya

Fr. Crataegi
Shan Zha
Massa Medicata Fermentata
Shen Qu
Endothelium Corneum Gigeriae Galli
Ji Nei Jin

Eliminates the erratic movement of constrained Liver Qi.

Restores normal appetite.

Indigestion and Food Stagnation.

  1. Use with caution during pregnancy. Large doses are considered abortive.
  2. The two most effective herbs to treat Food Stagnation from grains are this herb and Fr. Oryzae Sativa Gu Ya which has weaker digestive functions and therefore does not injure the Stomach Qi. It is most effective for Hot Food Stagnation with pronounced Spleen Deficiency. Mai Ya facilitates digestion and has some Spleen strengthening properties. It is best for treating cold Food Stagnation with absorption problems.
  3. This herb unbinds the Stomach, stops sudden turmoil disorder, eliminates irritable stifling sensations, reduces thin mucus, breaks up mobile abdominal masses and clumps, promotes labor, drops the fetus, tonifies the Spleen and Stomach, eases the intestines, descends Qi, treats borborygmus and Food Stagnation.
  4. To inhibit or cease lactation, use 30-60g of both fresh Mai Ya and Dry-fried Mai Ya on a daily basis.
  5. Unprepared Barley Sprouts Sheng Mai Ya relax and dredge the Liver to restore normal flow of Qi, eliminate Food Stagnation, restore normal appetite and, in large doses reduce milk flow. In small doses it promotes milk flow.
  6. Dry-fried Barley Sprouts Chao Mai Ya is more gentle and less draining.
  7. Prepared Barley Sprouts Zhi Mai Ya has tonifying and raising properties and a stronger ability to strengthen the Spleen and eliminate Food Stagnation.