糯，懦也。《本草》名稻米。按∶《诗》，黍、稷、稻、粱、禾、麻、菽、麦，名八
此稻与禾所以有异乎。
补温脾肺
甘温。补脾、肺虚寒，坚大便，缩小便，收自汗（同龙骨、牡蛎为粉，能扑汗），发痘
疮（解毒化脓）。然性粘滞，病患及小儿忌之（糯米酿酒则热，熬饧尤甚。饧即饴糖，润肺
和脾，化痰止嗽。仲景建中汤用之，取其甘以补脾缓中。多食发湿热、动痰火、损齿）。
开胃健脾，行气消积
咸温。能助胃气上行，而资健运，补脾宽肠，和中下气，消食除胀，散结祛痰（咸能软
坚），化一切米、面、果、食积，通乳下胎（《外台方》∶麦芽一升、蜜一升服，下胎神验。
薛立斋治一妇人，丧子乳胀，几欲成痈，单用麦芽一二两炒，煎服立消，其破血散气如此。
《良方》云∶神曲亦下胎，皆不可轻用）。久服消肾气（王好古曰∶麦芽，神曲，胃虚人宜
服之，以伐戊己，腐熟水谷。李时珍曰∶无积而服之，消人元气。与白术诸药，消补兼施，
则无害也。胃为戊土，脾为己土）。炒用。豆蔻、砂仁、乌梅、木瓜、芍药、五味为使。
补
味甘微寒。养心除烦，利溲止血（李时珍曰∶《素问》麦属火，心之谷也；郑玄谓属木
；许慎谓属金；《别录》云养肝，与郑说合；孙思邈云养心，与《素问》合，当以《素问》
为准。按∶麦，秋种夏熟，备受四时之气。南方地暖下湿，不如北产者良。张仲景治妇人脏
躁证，悲伤欲绝，状若神灵，用甘麦大枣汤。大枣十枚，小麦一升，甘草一两，每服一两，
亦补脾气。《圣惠方》∶小麦饭治烦热。少睡，多渴）。
面粉甘温。补虚养气，助五脏，浓肠胃，然能壅气作渴，助湿发热。陈者良（寒食日，
纸袋盛，悬风处，名寒食面，年久不热，入药尤良）。
浮小麦（即水淘浮起者）咸凉。止虚汗盗汗，劳热骨蒸（汗为心液，麦为心谷，浮者无
肉，故能凉心。麦麸同功）。
麦麸醋拌蒸，能散血止痛，熨腰脚折伤，风湿痹痛，寒湿香港脚，互易至汗出良（麦之凉
，全在皮，故面去皮即热，凡疮疡痘疮溃烂不能着席者，用麦麸装褥卧，性凉而软，诚妙法
也）。
糯，取意于“懦”（柔弱）。《本草》中称为稻米。考据：《诗经》中提到黍、稷、稻、粱、禾、麻、菽、麦，这被称为“八谷”，这就是稻与禾有所区别的原因。
糯米：
补益脾肺
味甘，性温。能补益脾、肺的虚寒，使大便坚实，缩小便，收敛自汗（与龙骨、牡蛎研成粉末，可用于扑洒止汗），促进痘疮解毒化脓。然而其性质粘滞，病人及小儿应当忌食（糯米酿酒则热性更甚，熬制成饴糖则热性尤烈。饴糖即麦芽糖，能润肺和脾，化痰止咳。张仲景在建中汤中使用它，是取其甘味以补脾缓急。多吃会引发湿热、扰动痰火、损伤牙齿）。
小麦：
健脾消食
味甘，性温。能开胃醒脾，降气和中，消食化积。炒制后使用。
神曲：
开胃健脾，行气消积
味咸，性温。能助胃气上行，资助脾胃运化，补脾宽肠，调和脾胃、降气，消食除胀，散结祛痰（咸味能软坚散结），化解各种米、面、水果及食物积滞，通乳下胎（《外台秘要方》记载：麦芽一升、蜂蜜一升服用，下胎效果神验。薛立斋治疗一位妇人，因丧子导致乳汁胀痛，几乎形成痈肿，单用炒制的麦芽一两至二两，煎服后立即消散，其破血散气的功效如此显著。《良方》说：神曲也能下胎，都不可轻易使用）。长期服用会损耗肾气（王好古说：麦芽、神曲，适合胃虚的人服用，用以克制戊己土，腐熟水谷。李时珍说：没有积滞而服用，会消耗人的元气。如果与白术等药物配合，消补兼施，就没有危害了。胃属戊土，脾属己土）。炒制后使用。豆蔻、砂仁、乌梅、木瓜、芍药、五味子是它的引经药或配伍药。
甘草：
补益
味甘，性微寒。能养心除烦，利尿止血（李时珍说：《素问》认为麦属火，是心的谷物；郑玄认为属木；许慎认为属金；《名医别录》说养肝，与郑玄的说法相合；孙思邈说养心，与《素问》相合，应当以《素问》为准。考据：麦子秋种夏熟，备受四季之气。南方地湿温暖，不如北方产的好。张仲景治疗妇人脏躁证，悲伤欲绝，状如神灵附体，使用甘麦大枣汤。大枣十枚，小麦一升，甘草一两，每服一两，也能补脾气。《圣惠方》记载：小麦饭治疗烦热、少睡、多渴）。
面粉：
味甘，性温。能补虚养气，助益五脏，增厚肠胃，但容易壅滞气机导致口渴，助湿发热。陈年的面粉较好（寒食节那天，用纸袋盛装，悬挂在通风处，称为寒食面，年代久远不具热性，入药尤其好）。
浮小麦：
即用水淘洗后浮起的小麦，味咸，性凉。能止虚汗、盗汗，治疗劳热骨蒸（汗为心之液，麦为心之谷，浮起的麦子没有肉，所以能清心凉血。麦麸功效相同）。
麦麸：
用醋拌蒸，能散血止痛，熨敷腰脚折伤、风湿痹痛、寒湿脚气，交替使用直到出汗效果良好（麦子的凉性全在皮上，所以去皮的麦子变热。凡是疮疡痘疮溃烂不能接触席子的患者，用麦麸做褥子卧躺，性质凉爽柔软，确实是妙法）。
Nuoci (Glutinous Rice), derived from the meaning of "nuo" (weak/submissive). In *Bencao* (Materia Medica), it is named Daomi (Rice). According to research: The *Book of Songs* mentions Shu (Millet), Ji (Broomcorn Millet), Dao (Rice), Liang (High-quality Grain), He (Grain stalks), Ma (Hemp), Shu (Beans), and Mai (Wheat), known as the "Eight Grains"; this explains the distinction between Dao (Rice) and He (Grain).
**Nuoci (Glutinous Rice):**
Tonifying Spleen and Lung
Sweet, warm. Tonifies deficiency-cold of the Spleen and Lung, solidifies stool, reduces urination, and consolidates spontaneous sweating (when ground into powder with Longgu [Fossilized Bones] and Muli [Oyster Shell], it can be used externally to stop sweating); promotes detoxification and suppuration in smallpox lesions. However, its nature is sticky and cloying; patients and infants should avoid it (Glutinous rice wine is hot; maltose [Xingtang/Yitang] made from it is even hotter. Maltose moistens the Lung, harmonizes the Spleen, resolves phlegm, and stops coughing. Zhang Zhongjing used it in Jianzhong Tang [Middle-Jiao Building Decoction] for its sweet property to tonify the Spleen and moderate urgency. Excessive consumption generates damp-heat, stirs phlegm-fire, and damages teeth).
**Xiaomai (Common Wheat):**
Strengthening Spleen and Promoting Digestion
Sweet, warm. Opens the appetite, invigorates the Spleen, directs Qi downward, harmonizes the Middle Jiao, and transforms food stagnation. Use after stir-frying.
**Shenqu (Medicated Leaven):**
Opening the Stomach, Strengthening the Spleen, Moving Qi, and Resolving Accumulation
Salty, warm. Assists Stomach Qi in ascending, supports digestive transformation, tonifies the Spleen, relaxes the intestines, harmonizes the Middle Jiao, directs Qi downward, resolves food stagnation and distension, dissipates nodules, and resolves phlegm (Salt softens hardness). It transforms all types of grain, flour, fruit, and food accumulations, promotes lactation, and induces abortion (*Waitai Fang* [Prescriptions from the Outer Chamber]: Take one sheng of Xingmai [Malted Barley/Wheat] and one sheng of honey; effective for inducing abortion. Xue Lizhai treated a woman whose breasts swelled and nearly formed an abscess after losing her child; she was cured immediately by taking one to two liang of stir-fried Xingmai decocted in water, demonstrating its potent blood-breaking and Qi-scattering properties. *Liangfang* states Shenqu also induces abortion; both should not be used lightly). Long-term use depletes Kidney Qi (Wang Haogu stated: Xingmai and Shenqu are suitable for those with Spleen-Stomach deficiency to control Wu-Ji Earth [digestive functions] and rot-cook food and fluids. Li Shizhen stated: Taking them without accumulation consumes Yuan Qi [Original Qi]. Combined with Baizhu [Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome] and other herbs for simultaneous draining and tonifying, there is no harm. Stomach belongs to Wu Earth, Spleen to Ji Earth). Use after stir-frying. Doukou [Cardamom], Sharen [Amomum Fruit], Wumei [Mume Fruit], Mugua [Chaenomeles Fruit], Shaoyao [Peony Root], and Wuweizi [Schisandra Fruit] serve as guiding or accompanying herbs.
**Gancao (Licorice Root):**
Tonifying
Sweet, slightly cold. Nourishes the Heart, relieves irritability, promotes urination, and stops bleeding (Li Shizhen noted: *Suwen* [Basic Questions] states Mai [Wheat] belongs to Fire and is the grain of the Heart; Zheng Xuan considered it Wood; Xu Shen considered it Metal; *Bielu* [Additional Records] says it nourishes the Liver, aligning with Zheng's view; Sun Simiao said it nourishes the Heart, aligning with *Suwen*; thus, *Suwen* should prevail. Research: Wheat is planted in autumn and harvested in summer, absorbing the Qi of all four seasons. Those grown in the South, where the land is warm and damp, are inferior to those from the North. Zhang Zhongjing treated Zangzao Syndrome [Visceral Agitation Syndrome] in women, characterized by extreme sorrow and a state resembling spirit possession, using Ganmai Dazao Tang [Licorice, Wheat, and Jujube Decoction]. Ten dates, one sheng of Xiaomai [Common Wheat], and one liang of Gancao [Licorice]; take one liang per dose; it also tonifies Spleen Qi. *Shenghui Fang* records: Xiaomai fan [Wheat porridge/rice] treats irritability, heat, insomnia, and excessive thirst).
**Mianfen (Wheat Flour):**
Sweet, warm. Tonifies deficiency, nourishes Qi, assists the Five Zang Organs, and thickens the intestines and stomach. However, it can cause Qi stagnation leading to thirst, and generate dampness and fever. Aged flour is better (Stored on Cold Food Festival day in paper bags, hung in a ventilated place, called Hanshimian [Cold Food Flour]; aged flour does not become hot and is excellent for medicinal use).
**Fuxiaomai (Floating Wheat):**
That which floats when washed in water. Salty, cool. Stops deficiency sweating and night sweats, treats labor-fever and bone-steaming heat (Sweat is the fluid of the Heart; Wheat is the grain of the Heart; the floating part lacks flesh/meat, so it cools the Heart. Mai Fu [Wheat Bran] has similar efficacy).
**Maifu (Wheat Bran):**
Steamed with vinegar. Disperses blood, stops pain, and is used as a hot compress for waist and leg fractures, wind-damp bi-syndrome, and cold-damp jiaojing [foot qi/gout]. Alternating application until sweating occurs is effective (The cooling property of wheat resides entirely in the bran; thus, flour without bran becomes hot. For patients with ulcerated sores or smallpox who cannot lie on mats, lying on a mattress stuffed with wheat bran is a wonderful method due to its cool and soft nature).