胡麻 （一名巨胜，即胡地黑芝麻。八谷之中惟此为胜，故名）味甘，气平。无毒。
主伤中虚羸，补五内，益气力，长肌肉，填髓脑，坚筋骨。久服轻身不老，明耳目，耐饥渴寒暑。
生者磨疮肿，生秃发，疗金疮止痛。嚼涂小儿头疮及湿淫恶疮，妇人阴疮。苗各青 ，味甘，气
寒。无毒。主五脏邪气，风寒湿痹，补脑髓坚筋骨，耳目聪明，不饥不老增寿。榨汁沐头发良。
牛伤热，灌之愈。
白油麻 味甘，气寒。无毒。生寒，炒则热。主治虚劳。滑肠胃，行风气，通血脉，
润肌肤。又生嚼敷小儿头上，诸疮良。其油性冷，常食所用滑骨髓，通大小肠。治蛔心痛，敷一
切疮疥癣，杀一切虫。取油一合，鸡子两枚，芒硝一两，搅服之，少时即泻，治热毒甚良。又取
油煎沸，对和无灰酒服之，取微汗，治痈疽发背肿毒，甚效。又治发症，饮油一升，多吐出。蚰
蜒入耳，以油作煎饼，枕卧须臾，自出。陈者煎膏，生肌长肉，止痛消痈肿，补皮裂。有牙齿及
脾胃疾人不可吃。若煎炼食之，与火无异，戒之。
麻 （云是花，又云即实，又云花、实、 是三物，未详。）味辛，气平。有毒。
（畏牡蛎、白薇。恶茯苓。）主五劳七伤，利五脏，下血，寒气，破积止痹散脓。多食令见鬼狂
走。久服通神明，轻身。麻子味甘，气平。无毒。入足太阳经与手阳明经。九月采，入土者损人。
用帛包，沸汤中浸，汤冷出之，垂井中一夜，勿着水，次用曝干，新瓦上将去壳用。主补中益气，
中风汗出，皮肤顽痹。逐水利小便，润大肠，风热燥结便难。止消渴，破积血，复血脉，催生。治横
逆产及下乳，产后余疾。长发，可为沐药。久服肥健不老。花味苦，微热。治恶风，黑色遍身苦
痒。诸风恶血及女人经不通， 虫为使。根汁及煮服之，主瘀血石淋，难产带下，崩中不止。根
及叶捣汁饮一升，主腕折骨痛，捶打瘀血，心腹满。无时煮干麻汁服亦同。骨髓风毒疼痛不可运
动，（取麻仁一大升，慢火炒香熟，杵令极细如粉，分为十帖，取无灰酒一大汤碗入砂盆中，柳
木捶子、麻粉旋滤，取白酒令粉尽即去。余后合酒一处，煎取一半，待温空服顿服，日用一帖，
药尽即瘥。）
生大豆 味甘，（《内经》云咸。）气平。（恶五参、龙胆。得前胡、乌喙、杏仁、
牡蛎良。黑者入药，小者尤佳。）主涂痈肿。煮汁饮，杀鬼毒，止痛，乌头毒、诸药毒。逐水胀，
除胃中热痹，伤中淋露。下瘀血，散五脏结积内寒。久服令人身重。炒为屑，主胃中热，去肿除
痹，消谷，止腹胀。炒令黑烟未断及热后投酒中，主风痹瘫痪口噤，产后诸风虚热血病。大豆黄
卷，（以生豆为芽孽，使晒干。）味甘，气平。主湿痹，筋挛膝痛，五脏胃气结积，益气止毒。
豆豉味苦，气寒。无毒。无盐者，皆主伤寒头痛，寒热瘅气，恶毒烦躁满闷，虚劳喘急，心中懊
。用一升和葱白煮汁服，治伤寒时疾，发汗。又两脚疼冷，浸酒服之。暴痢腹痛及血痢，和薤
白煮汁服。安胎，取汁服。恶疮，熬末敷之。
赤小豆 味辛、甘、酸，气温、平。阴中之阳。无毒。主下水，排痈肿脓血。寒热热
中消渴，止泄，利小便，吐逆卒 ，水和涂消散毒瓦斯。和鸡子白调涂热毒。取汁洗小儿急黄、烂
疮。和鲤鱼煮食之，治香港脚及大腹水肿。久食令人虚。花名腐婢，味辛，气平。（十月采阴干。）
主疟寒热邪气，泄痢，阴不起。止消渴，酒病头痛。
白扁豆 味甘，气微温。和中下气，治霍乱吐痢不止。杀一切草木及酒毒、河肫毒。
叶主霍乱，又吐利后转筋，生捣研，以少酢浸汁服之，亦敷蛇虫咬。花主女子赤白下，干末米饮和服之。
绿豆 味甘，气寒。无毒。皮寒肉平，用之勿去皮。主消渴，丹毒烦热，风疹。药
石发动热气奔豚，生研绞汁服，亦煮食。作枕，明目，治头风。
罂子粟 味甘，气平。无毒。主反胃，胸中痰滞及丹石发动不下食，和竹沥煮作粥，食之极美，粟壳性涩，
止泄痢，涩肠。今人虚劳嗽者，多用止嗽及温热泄痢者，用止痢。劫病之功虽急，杀人如剑，戒之。
粟米 味咸，气微寒。无毒。主养肾气，去脾胃中热，益气。陈者味苦，主胃热消
渴，利小便，止痢。
粳米 味甘、苦，气平、微寒。无毒。入手太阴、少阴经。主益气，止烦渴，止泄。
平和五脏，补益胃气，其功莫及。与熟鸡头相合作粥食之，益精强志，聪明耳目。
糯稻米 味苦、甘，气温。无毒。主温中，令人多热。大便坚，止霍乱，取二合水研
服之。稻稗，治黄胆遍身，煮汁服。
陈廪米 味咸、酸，气温。无毒。主下气，除烦渴，开胃气，止泄。又蒸作饼和醋，
封肿毒恶疮，效。
大麦 味咸、甘，气温。无毒。（蜜为使。）主消渴，除热，益气调中。水渍之生
芽为孽，（凡用炒，杵去皮。）补脾胃，化宿食，破 结冷气，止心腹胀满，开胃止霍乱，下气
消痰。催生落胎，亦行上焦滞血。治产后秘结，鼓胀不通，胃气虚人宜服，以代戊己，腐熟水谷。
又久食、多食消肾，戒之。
小麦 味甘、咸，气微寒。无毒。去皮则热，面热而麸凉。（带皮用。）主除热，
止燥渴咽干，利小便，养肝气。暴淋，煎汤饮之。浮者，止盗汗，治大人、小儿骨蒸肌热，妇人劳热。
神曲 味甘，气温。（六月六作，陈久者良。入药炒令香。）主调中下气，开胃化
水谷，消宿食。主霍乱，心膈气痰逆，破 结，去冷气，治赤白痢。下水谷，治小儿腹坚大如盘。
落胎下鬼胎。大畜食米胀欲死者，煮汁灌之。
酒 味苦、甘、辛，气大热。有毒。（糯米、面、曲造者入药用。）主杀百邪恶毒瓦斯，
通血脉，浓肠胃。御风寒雾气，养脾扶肝，行药势，能行诸经不止，与附子同。味辛者，能散为
导引，可以通行一身之表，至极高之分。味辛苦者，能下。甘者居中而缓，淡者利小便。社酒（祭
社余者。）喷屋四壁去蚊子，内小儿口中令速语。糟，置扑损瘀血，浸洗冻疮，敷蛇蜂毒。丹溪
云∶酒温中发热，近于相火，性喜升，大伤肺气，助火生痰，变异诸病，戒之。又云∶醇酒宜冷
饮，有三益焉。先经肺分，得温中之寒以养肺。次入胃中，得寒中之温以养脾。冷酒行迟，传
化以渐，令人不得恣饮，故云三益。愚谓热饮则发散，传化速而可多，冷冻饮料则停凝而不能多，
故以不可多饮为益者。好饮之人及被强劝而过饮，则不宜用冷也。
醋 味酸，气温。无毒。（米造者入药，陈者良。）主消痈肿，敛咽疮，散水气，杀
邪毒。治产后并伤损金疮，血晕，下气除烦，破 块坚积，妇人心痛血气。多食损齿，伤筋骨。
治口疮，以醋渍黄柏皮，含之愈。
酱 味咸、酸，气冷利。（以豆作，陈久者良。）主除热，止烦满。杀百药热疮及火
毒，并治蛇虫、蜂趸等毒。
饴糖 味甘，气微温。无毒。入足太阴经。（糯与粟米作者佳，余不堪用。）主补
虚乏，止渴，消痰，润肺和脾胃。鱼骨哽喉中，及误吞钱环，服之出。中满不宜用，呕吐家忌之。
仲景呕家不用建中汤，以甘故也。丹溪云∶大发温中之热。
胡麻（又名巨胜，即产自胡地的黑芝麻。在八谷之中以它最为优秀，因此得名）味甘，气平。无毒。
主要治疗内伤导致的虚弱消瘦，补益五脏，益气力，促进肌肉生长，填补髓脑，坚固筋骨。长期服用可身体轻盈、延缓衰老，使耳目聪明，耐饥渴寒暑侵袭。
新鲜胡麻研磨后外敷可治疗疮肿，生用可治疗脱发，治疗金创疼痛。嚼碎涂抹于小儿头疮及湿淫恶疮、妇人阴疮。胡麻苗青色，味甘，气寒。无毒。主要治疗五脏邪气，风寒湿痹，补脑髓坚固筋骨，使耳目聪明，不饥不老增寿。榨汁洗头效果良好。牛受热病，灌服胡麻汁可愈。
白油麻味甘，气寒。无毒。生用性寒，炒熟则性热。主治虚劳。滑利肠胃，行散风气，通血脉，润泽肌肤。另外生嚼敷于小儿头上，对各种疮疡良效。其油性冷，常食用可滑利骨髓，通利大小肠。治疗蛔虫心痛，敷治一切疮疥癣，杀灭各种寄生虫。取油一合，鸡蛋两枚，芒硝一两，搅拌服用，不久即腹泻，治疗热毒非常有效。又取油煎沸，兑入无灰酒服用，令微出汗，治疗痈疽发背肿毒，效果极佳。又治疗疟疾，饮油一升，多能吐出。蚰蜒进入耳中，用油做成煎饼枕卧片刻，蚰蜒自出。陈年胡麻油熬膏，可生肌长肉，止痛消痈肿，修补皮肤裂口。有牙齿及脾胃疾病的人不可食用。若煎炼食用，与火无异，务必戒慎。
麻（有人说花，有人说即果实，也有人说花、实、茎是三物，详情不详。）味辛，气平。有毒。（畏惧牡蛎、白薇。厌恶茯苓。）主要治疗五劳七伤，利五脏，下血，寒气，破积滞止痹痛散脓。多吃会让人产生幻觉狂走。长期服用可通神明，身体轻盈。麻子味甘，气平。无毒。入足太阳经和手阳明经。九月采收，落入土中的会损伤人体。需用布包好，在沸水中浸泡，水凉后取出，悬挂在井中一夜，不要沾水，然后用新瓦片上去壳使用。主要补中益气，治疗中风汗出，皮肤顽痹。逐水利小便，润大肠，治疗风热燥结导致的大便困难。止消渴，破积血，复血脉，催生。治疗横逆产及下乳，产后余疾。促进头发生长，可作为洗头药。长期服用可使身体肥健不老。花味苦，微热。治疗恶风，全身黑色瘙痒。各种风邪恶血及女子经不通，可用麻虫为使。根汁及煮服之，主治瘀血石淋，难产带下，崩中不止。根及叶捣汁饮用一升，主治腕折骨痛，捶打瘀血，心腹满胀。随时煮干麻汁服用也相同。骨髓风毒疼痛不可运动，（取麻仁一大升，慢火炒香熟，杵成极细如粉，分为十帖，取无灰酒一大汤碗放入砂盆中，用柳木槌、麻粉旋转过滤，取白酒令粉尽即去。其余合并酒一处，煎取一半，待温空腹顿服，日用一帖，药尽即痊愈。）
生大豆味甘，《内经》云咸。气平。（厌恶五参、龙胆。得前胡、乌喙、杏仁、牡蛎良效。黑色者入药，小颗粒尤佳。）主要涂敷痈肿。煮汁饮用，杀鬼毒，止痛，解乌头毒、诸药毒。逐水胀，除胃中热痹，伤中淋露。下瘀血，散五脏结积内寒。长期服用令人身体沉重。炒为屑，主治胃中热，去肿除痹，消谷，止腹胀。炒至黑烟未断及热后投入酒中，主治风痹瘫痪口噤，产后诸风虚热血病。大豆黄卷（以生豆发芽晒干而成），味甘，气平。主治湿痹，筋挛膝痛，五脏胃气结积，益气止毒。
豆豉味苦，气寒。无毒。无盐者，皆主治伤寒头痛，寒热瘅气，恶毒烦躁满闷，虚劳喘急，心中懊恼。用一升和葱白煮汁服用，治疗伤寒时疾，发汗。又两脚疼冷，浸酒服用。暴痢腹痛及血痢，和薤白煮汁服用。安胎，取汁服用。恶疮，熬成末敷之。
赤小豆味辛、甘、酸，气温、平。阴中之阳。无毒。主要下水，排痈肿脓血。治疗寒热热中消渴，止泄，利小便，吐逆卒，水和涂消散毒瓦斯。和鸡子白调涂热毒。取汁洗小儿急黄、烂疮。和鲤鱼煮食之，治疗香港脚及大腹水肿。长期食用令人虚弱。花名腐婢，味辛，气平。（十月采集阴干。）主治疟寒热邪气，泄痢，阴不起。止消渴，酒病头痛。
白扁豆味甘，气微温。和中下气，治疗霍乱吐痢不止。杀一切草木及酒毒、河豚毒。叶主治霍乱，又吐利后转筋，生捣研，以少许醋浸汁服用，也可敷蛇虫咬伤。花主治女子赤白带下，干末米饮和服之。
绿豆味甘，气寒。无毒。皮寒肉平，使用勿去皮。主治消渴，丹毒烦热，风疹。药石发动热气奔豚，生研绞汁服用，也可煮食。作枕，明目，治疗头风。
罂子粟味甘，气平。无毒。主治反胃，胸中痰滞及丹石发动不下食，和竹沥煮作粥，食之极美，粟壳性涩，止泄痢，涩肠。今人虚劳嗽者，多用止嗽及温热泄痢者，用止痢。劫病之功虽急，杀人如剑，务必戒慎。
粟米味咸，气微寒。无毒。主治养肾气，去脾胃中热，益气。陈者味苦，主治胃热消渴，利小便，止痢。
粳米味甘、苦，气平、微寒。无毒。入手太阴、少阴经。主治益气，止烦渴，止泄。平和五脏，补益胃气，其功莫及。与熟鸡头相合作粥食之，益精强志，聪明耳目。
糯稻米味苦、甘，气温。无毒。主治温中，令人多热。大便坚，止霍乱，取二合水研服之。稻稗，治疗黄疸遍身，煮汁服用。
陈廪米味咸、酸，气温。无毒。主治下气，除烦渴，开胃气，止泄。又蒸作饼和醋，封肿毒恶疮，有效。
大麦味咸、甘，气温。无毒。（蜜为使。）主治消渴，除热，益气调中。水渍之生芽为孽，（凡用炒，杵去皮。）补脾胃，化宿食，破结冷气，止心腹胀满，开胃止霍乱，下气消痰。催生落胎，亦行上焦滞血。治疗产后秘结，鼓胀不通，胃气虚人宜服，以代戊己，腐熟水谷。又久食、多食消肾，务必戒慎。
小麦味甘、咸，气微寒。无毒。去皮则热，面热而麸凉。（带皮用。）主治除热，止燥渴咽干，利小便，养肝气。暴淋，煎汤饮用。浮者，止盗汗，治疗大人、小儿骨蒸肌热，妇人劳热。
神曲味甘，气温。（六月六日制作，陈久者良。入药炒令香。）主治调中下气，开胃化水谷，消宿食。主治霍乱，心膈气痰逆，破结，去冷气，治疗赤白痢。下水谷，治疗小儿腹坚大如盘。落胎下鬼胎。大畜食米胀欲死者，煮汁灌之。
酒味苦、甘、辛，气大热。有毒。（糯米、面、曲造者入药用。）主治杀百邪恶毒瓦斯，通血脉，浓肠胃。御风寒雾气，养脾扶肝，行药势，能行诸经不止，与附子同。味辛者，能散为导引，可以通行一身之表，至极高之分。味辛苦者，能下。甘者居中而缓，淡者利小便。社酒（祭社余者。）喷屋四壁去蚊子，内小儿口中令速语。糟，置扑损瘀血，浸洗冻疮，敷蛇蜂毒。丹溪云：酒温中发热，近于相火，性喜升，大伤肺气，助火生痰，变异诸病，务必戒慎。又说：醇酒宜冷饮，有三益焉。先经肺分，得温中之寒以养肺。次入胃中，得寒中之温以养脾。冷酒行迟，传化以渐，令人不得恣饮，故云三益。愚谓热饮则发散，传化速而可多，冷冻饮料则停凝而不能多，故以不可多饮为益者。好饮之人及被强劝而过饮，则不宜用冷也。
醋酸，气温。无毒。（米造者入药，陈者良。）主治消痈肿，敛咽疮，散水气，杀邪毒。治疗产后并伤损金疮，血晕，下气除烦，破块坚积，妇人心痛血气。多食损齿，伤筋骨。治疗口疮，以醋渍黄柏皮，含之愈。
酱味咸、酸，气冷利。（以豆作，陈久者良。）主治除热，止烦满。杀百药热疮及火毒，并治疗蛇虫、蜂趸等毒。
饴糖味甘，气微温。无毒。入足太阴经。（糯与粟米作者佳，余不堪用。）主治补虚乏，止渴，消痰，润肺和脾胃。鱼骨哽喉中，及误吞钱环，服之出。中满不宜用，呕吐家忌之。仲景呕家不用建中汤，以甘故也。丹溪云：大发温中之热。
Sesamum indicum (also known as Jusheng, i.e., black sesame from Hu regions. Among the eight grains, it is superior, hence the name) has a sweet taste and neutral qi. Non-toxic.
Mainly treats internal injury leading to emaciation, tonifies the five zang organs, benefits qi and strength, promotes muscle growth, fills marrow and brain, strengthens bones and sinews. Long-term use makes the body light and delays aging, brightens eyes and ears, and increases resistance to hunger, thirst, cold, and heat.
Fresh Sesamum indicum ground externally treats swelling and sores; raw application treats alopecia; treats traumatic injuries for pain relief. Chewed and applied to infant scalp sores, dampness-induced malignant sores, and women's genital sores. The green seedling has a sweet taste and cold qi. Non-toxic. Mainly treats pathogenic factors in the five zang organs, wind-cold-damp bi syndrome, tonifies brain marrow, strengthens bones and sinews, brightens eyes and ears, prevents hunger and aging, and prolongs life. Juicing for hair washing is effective. For cattle suffering from heat disease, administering Sesamum juice cures it.
White Sesame Oil has a sweet taste and cold qi. Non-toxic. Raw nature is cold, stir-fried nature becomes hot. Mainly treats deficiency consumptive diseases. Lubricates intestines and stomach, moves wind qi, unblocks blood vessels, moistens skin and flesh. Additionally, chewed raw and applied to infants' heads, it is effective for various sores. Its oil is cold-natured; frequent consumption lubricates bone marrow and unblocks large and small intestines. Treats ascariasis heartache, applies to all sores, tinea, and ringworm, killing various parasites. Take one he of oil, two eggs, and one liang of Mirabilite, mix and ingest; diarrhea occurs shortly after, which is very effective for treating severe heat toxins. Also, boil the oil, mix with unfermented wine, and ingest to induce slight sweating; this is highly effective for carbuncles and back abscesses. It also treats malaria; drinking one sheng of oil often induces vomiting. For centipedes entering the ear, place a pancake made of oil under the pillow; the centipede will exit spontaneously. Aged Sesamum oil boiled into ointment generates flesh, stops pain, reduces swelling, and repairs cracked skin. Those with dental or spleen-stomach diseases should not consume it. If refined and eaten, it is akin to fire; caution is advised.
Hemp (Some say flower, some say fruit, some say flower, fruit, and stem are three different things; details unclear.) Pungent taste, neutral qi. Toxic. (Dislikes Oyster Shell and Peucedani Radix. Abhors Poria.) Mainly treats five exhaustions and seven injuries, benefits the five zang organs, promotes bleeding, dispels cold qi, breaks accumulations, stops bi pain, and disperses pus. Excessive consumption causes hallucinations and manic walking. Long-term use clarifies the mind and lightens the body. Hemp seeds have a sweet taste and neutral qi. Non-toxic. Enters the Foot-Taiyang and Hand-Yangming meridians. Harvested in September; those fallen into soil damage the human body. Wrap in cloth, soak in boiling water, remove when cool, hang in a well overnight without touching water, then shell on new tiles. Mainly tonifies middle jiao and benefits qi, treats stroke with sweating, stubborn skin bi. Promotes urination, moistens large intestine, treats difficult defecation due to wind-heat dryness. Stops thirst, breaks blood stasis, restores blood vessels, induces labor. Treats breech presentation, promotes lactation, and postpartum residual disorders. Promotes hair growth, can be used for hair washing. Long-term use leads to robust health and delayed aging. Flowers are bitter and slightly warm. Treats aversion to wind, generalized dark itching. Various wind pathogens, evil blood, and female menstrual obstruction; use hemp insect as an assistant. Root juice and decoction treat blood stasis and lithiasis, dystocia, leukorrhea, and metrorrhagia. One sheng of juice from roots and leaves treats wrist fractures, bone pain from blows, and abdominal fullness. Decoction of dried hemp juice taken at any time is equally effective. For pain and immobility due to bone marrow wind-toxin: (Take one da sheng of hemp seeds, stir-fry slowly until fragrant and cooked, pound into fine powder, divide into ten doses. Place one large bowl of unfermented wine in a clay pot, filter hemp powder using a willow mallet, extract white wine until powder is exhausted. Combine remaining liquid and wine, simmer to half volume. Take warm on an empty stomach in one dose, one dose daily until cured.)
Raw Soybean has a sweet taste (Neijing states salty). Neutral qi. (Dislikes five Ginseng species and Gentiana. Benefits from Peucedani Radix, Aconitum carmichaelii, Apricot Seed, and Oyster Shell. Black beans are used medicinally; smaller ones are better.) Mainly applied topically for carbuncles. Decoction kills ghost toxins, stops pain, and detoxifies Aconitum and other drug poisons. Promotes urination, removes gastric heat-bi, treats internal injury with discharge. Moves blood stasis, disperses internal cold accumulation in five zang organs. Long-term use causes heavy body. Stir-fried powder treats gastric heat, reduces swelling, removes bi, aids digestion, and stops abdominal distension. Stir-fry until black smoke appears, add while hot to wine; treats wind-bi paralysis and lockjaw, postpartum wind-deficiency heat-blood disorders. Soybean sprouts (sprouted from raw beans and sun-dried) have a sweet taste and neutral qi. Treats damp-bi, tendon spasms and knee pain, qi stagnation in five zang organs and stomach, benefits qi, and stops toxicity.
Fermented Soybean Paste is bitter and cold. Non-toxic. Salt-free variety mainly treats headache from cold damage, alternating chills and fever, toxic heat irritability and fullness, deficiency consumptive panting, and mental restlessness. Boil one sheng with scallion whites for juice; treats cold damage and epidemic diseases, induces sweating. For cold painful legs, soak in wine and drink. For acute dysentery with abdominal pain and bloody dysentery, boil with wild leek white and drink. Stabilizes fetus by taking juice. For malignant sores, apply roasted powder.
Adzuki Bean is pungent, sweet, and sour; warm and neutral qi. Yang within Yin. Non-toxic. Mainly promotes urination, drains pus and blood from carbuncles. Treats alternating chills, heat-center thirst, stops diarrhea, promotes urination, treats sudden vomiting, and external application with water dissipates toxic vapors. Mixed with egg white for topical heat toxin. Juice washes infant acute jaundice and ulcerated sores. Cooked with carp treats beriberi and massive abdominal edema. Long-term consumption causes weakness. Flower named Fubi is pungent and neutral qi. (Harvested in October, dried in shade.) Treats malaria chills/fever pathogens, dysentery, impotence. Stops thirst and alcohol-induced headache.
Hyacinth Bean is sweet and slightly warm qi. Harmonizes middle jiao, directs qi downward, treats cholera with persistent vomiting and diarrhea. Kills toxins from plants, alcohol, and pufferfish. Leaves treat cholera and post-vomiting/diarrhea tetany; crush raw, soak in vinegar for juice, or apply to snake/insect bites. Flowers treat female leukorrhea; take dry powder with rice water.
Mung Bean is sweet and cold qi. Non-toxic. Skin is cold, flesh is neutral; do not peel. Treats thirst, erysipelas, irritability, wind-rash. Drug-induced heat rushing upward; crush raw, extract juice, or cook. As pillow, brightens eyes, treats head wind.
Poppy is sweet and neutral qi. Non-toxic. Treats retroflexion vomiting, phlegm stagnation in chest, and inability to eat due to mineral pill activation. Cooked with bamboo sap as porridge is delicious. Poppy shell is astringent, stops dysentery, binds intestines. Currently used for deficiency consumptive cough to stop coughing, and for warm-heat dysentery to stop diarrhea. Though its disease-arresting power is rapid, it kills like a sword; caution is advised.
Foxtail Millet is salty and slightly cold qi. Non-toxic. Tonifies kidney qi, clears heat in spleen/stomach, benefits qi. Aged millet is bitter, treats gastric heat-thirst, promotes urination, stops dysentery.
Common Rice is sweet and bitter, neutral and slightly cold qi. Non-toxic. Enters Hand-Taiyin and Hand-Shaoyin meridians. Benefits qi, stops irritability-thirst, stops diarrhea. Harmonizes five zang organs, tonifies stomach qi, unmatched in efficacy. Eaten as porridge with cooked lotus seeds, it essence-tonifies, strengthens will, and brightens senses.
Glutinous Rice is bitter and sweet, warm qi. Non-toxic. Warms middle jiao, causes excessive heat. Treats hard stool, stops cholera; grind two he with water and ingest. Barnyard grass treats generalized jaundice; decoct and drink.
Aged Granary Rice is salty and sour, warm qi. Non-toxic. Directs qi downward, relieves irritability-thirst, opens stomach qi, stops diarrhea. Steamed into cakes mixed with vinegar, applied to swollen toxic sores, effective.
Barley is salty and sweet, warm qi. Non-toxic. (Honey as guide.) Treats thirst, clears heat, benefits qi and harmonizes middle. Water-soaked to sprout (stir-fry and husk before use). Tonifies spleen/stomach, transforms retained food, breaks cold qi stagnation, stops abdominal fullness, opens stomach, stops cholera, directs qi downward, resolves phlegm. Induces labor, expels fetal remnants, moves upper jiao blood stasis. Treats postpartum constipation and abdominal distension; suitable for spleen-stomach deficiency to aid digestion. Long-term/heavy consumption damages kidneys; caution advised.
Wheat is sweet and salty, slightly cold qi. Non-toxic. Husked wheat is hot; flour is hot, bran is cool. (Use with husk.) Clears heat, stops dry throat/thirst, promotes urination, nourishes liver qi. Decoct for acute strangury. Floating wheat stops night sweats, treats bone-steaming heat in adults/children and maternal deficiency heat.
Medicated Leaven is sweet and warm qi. (Made on June 6th; aged is better. Stir-fry until fragrant for use.) Harmonizes middle jiao, directs qi downward, opens stomach, transforms food, resolves retained food. Treats cholera, chest-diaphragm qi/phlegm rebellion, breaks stagnation, dispels cold qi, treats red-white dysentery. Moves food/water, treats infant abdominal hardness. Expels fetus and "ghost fetus." For fatal food stagnation, decoct and administer.
Alcohol is bitter, sweet, and pungent; large hot qi. Toxic. (Made from glutinous rice, flour, and leaven for medicinal use.) Kills myriad evil toxins, unblocks blood vessels, thickens intestines/stomach. Resists wind-cold/mist, nourishes spleen/liver, enhances drug potency, circulates through meridians like Aconite. Pungent flavor disperses and guides, circulating exterior to highest points. Pungent-bitter flavor descends. Sweet flavor centers and slows; bland flavor promotes urination. Shejiu (leftover from sacrifices) sprayed on walls repels mosquitoes; given to infants to promote speech. Lees treat bruising/blood stasis, soak frostbite, apply to snake/bee venom. Danxi stated: Alcohol warms middle causing heat, resembles ministerial fire, rises easily, severely damages lung qi, assists fire generating phlegm, causing various diseases; caution advised. Also: Pure wine should be drunk cold for three benefits. First passes lung, gaining warmth-nature cold to nourish lung. Second enters stomach, gaining cold-nature warmth to nourish spleen. Cold wine acts slowly, gradual transformation prevents overdrinking, hence three benefits. This author believes: Hot drinks disperse, transform fast allowing more intake; cold drinks stagnate, limiting intake. Thus, moderation is beneficial. Heavy drinkers or those forced to overdrink should not use cold wine.
Vinegar is sour and warm qi. Non-toxic. (Rice-made, aged is better.) Reduces carbuncles, heals throat sores, dissipates water qi, kills evil toxins. Treats postpartum conditions, traumatic injuries, blood syncope, directs qi downward, relieves irritability, breaks masses and hard accumulations, treats women's heart pain and blood qi disorders. Excessive consumption damages teeth, injures sinews/bones. For mouth ulcers, soak Phellodendron bark in vinegar and hold in mouth to cure.
Soy Sauce is salty and sour, cold and purgative qi. (Bean-made, aged is better.) Clears heat, stops irritability-fullness. Kills drug-induced heat sores and fire toxins, treats snake/insect/beetle venom.
Maltose is sweet and slightly warm qi. Non-toxic. Enters Foot-Taiyin meridian. (Made from glutinous rice or foxtail millet is best; others unsuitable.) Tonifies deficiency, stops thirst, resolves phlegm, moistens lungs, harmonizes spleen/stomach. Relieves fishbone impaction and swallowed coins/rings. Contraindicated in abdominal fullness; avoided by vomit-prone individuals. Zhang Zhongjing excluded Jianzhong Tang for vomit-prone patients due to sweetness. Danxi stated: Greatly exacerbates middle-jiao heat.