11 Common Grains and Legumes in Chinese Medicine

1.Oryza sativa L. (polished round-grained rice)

Nonglutinous rice is the seed kernel of Oryza sativa subsp. japonica (Gramineae), which is also the commonly consumed rice. Its nature and flavor are sweet and neutral. It contains starch, protein, fat, and a small amount of B vitamins. It has the functions of invigorating the Spleen and nourishing the stomach, relieving thirst and dispelling restlessness, and astringing the intestines to stop diarrhea. It is applicable to signs of imbalance such as gastrointestinal disharmony, vomiting and diarrhea in summer, difficult urination, and restlessness with thirst.

2.Glutinous rice

Glutinous rice is the seed kernel of Oryza sativa L. var. glutinosa Matsum (Gramineae), also known as Jiangmi or Yuanmi. It is soft and sticky in texture. Its nature and flavor are sweet and neutral. It contains protein, fat, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin B, niacin, and starch. It has the functions of warming the Spleen and stomach, replenishing qi to strengthen the middle-jiao, and reducing urinary frequency. It is indicated for signs of imbalance such as stomach cold pain, diabetes, frequent urination at night, and increased urinary frequency.

3.Setaria italica (foxtail millet)

Coix seed is the seed kernel of Setaria italica (L.) Beauv. of the Gramineae family, also known as millet. It is sweet, salty in taste, and slightly cold in nature. It contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, starch, and vitamin B. Its functions include nourishing Kidney qi, strengthening the Spleen and stomach, and clearing deficient heat. It is indicated for signs of imbalance such as insomnia due to stomach deficiency and yellow and white vaginal discharge in women.

4.Triticum aestivum L. (wheat)

Wheat is the seed of the plant Triticum aestivum L. of the Gramineae family. Its nature and flavor are sweet and neutral. It contains starch, protein, carbohydrates, fat, lecithin, sitosterol, arginine, amylase, maltose, protease, and trace amounts of vitamin B. Its functions include clearing heat, relieving thirst, promoting diuresis, nourishing the Heart, and alleviating restlessness. It is indicated for signs of imbalance such as mental restlessness, palpitations and insomnia, restlessness and irritability in women, and difficult urination.

5.Zea mays L. (maize)

Zea mays is the seed of the plant Zea mays of the Poaceae family, also known as corn. Its nature and flavor are sweet,

Neutral in nature. It contains starch, fatty oil, alkaloids, vitamin B, niacin, zeaxanthin, carotene, and other components. It has the functions of regulating the middle-jiao and harmonizing the stomach, and lowering blood lipids. It is applicable to signs of imbalance such as urinary retention, bladder stones, hepatitis, and hypertension.

Corn silk is the styles and stigmas of Zea mays L. It is sweet in taste and neutral in nature. It contains vitamin K, sitosterol, xylan, glucose, organic acids, etc. It has the functions of promoting diuresis and reducing swelling, can improve renal function, reduce urinary protein, and lower blood pressure. It is used to supports cholecystitis, gallstones, cystitis, urethritis, etc.

6.Coicis Semen (Job’s tears seed)

Coicis Semen is the seed of the Gramineae plant Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen (Roman.) Stapf. It is sweet, bland, and cool in nature. It contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamin B, amino acids, coixol, coixenolide, and triterpenoid compounds. Its functions include promoting diuresis to eliminate dampness, strengthening the Spleen, relieving impediment or numbness and pain, clearing heat and expelling pus. It is indicated for difficult urination, edema, beriberi, diarrhea due to Spleen deficiency, rheumatic impediment and pain, Lung abscess, intestinal abscess, as well as flat warts, gastric cancer, and uterine cancer.

7.Euryale Semen (Gorgon Fruit)

Gorgon fruit, also known as fox nut or jitoumi in Chinese, is the mature seed of the Euryale ferox Salisb. plant from the Nymphaeaceae family. It has a sweet and astringent taste and a neutral nature. It contains starch, protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, ascorbic acid, etc. It functions to strengthen the Spleen and arrest diarrhea, nourish the Kidneys and consolidate essence, and eliminate dampness and stop leukorrhea. It is indicated for signs of imbalance such as spermatorrhea, involuntary seminal emission, premature ejaculation, leukorrhea, frequent urination, as well as chronic diarrhea and diarrhea before dawn.

8.Black soybean

Black soybean is the black seed of Glycine max (L.) Merr. from the Fabaceae family. Its nature and flavor are sweet and neutral. It contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, carotene, vitamin B, isoflavones, various saponins, choline, organic acids, etc. It functions to helps with occasional exterior syndromes and clear heat, nourish the Kidneys and strengthen the Spleen. It is applicable for various postpartum wellness in women, all types of hemorrhagic conditions, and signs of imbalance such as body and facial edema.

9.Phaseolus radiatus L. (mung bean)

Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek is the seed of the leguminous plant Vigna radiata. Its nature and flavor are sweet and cold. It contains proteins and fats.

Fat, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, vitamin B, niacin, phospholipids, etc. It has the functions of clearing heat and detoxifying, relieving thirst and promoting diuresis. It is applicable to signs of imbalance such as difficult urination, dry mouth, diabetes insipidus, summer heat, and dysentery.

Mung bean sprouts are sweet in flavor and cold in nature. They can resolve alcohol toxicity and heat toxicity, and benefit the triple energizer. They can be used in the initial stage of gonorrhea.

10.Dolichos Bean (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet, common name: hyacinth bean)

Dolichos lablab is the white seed of the plant Dolichos lablab L. of the Leguminosae family. Its nature and flavor are sweet and neutral. It contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, phytic acid, magnesium, pantothenic acid, zinc, and other components. It has the functions of invigorating the Spleen and harmonizing the stomach, eliminating dampness, and stopping diarrhea. It is applicable for signs of imbalance such as Spleen-stomach deficiency heat, vomiting and nausea, summer-dampness, vomiting due to alcohol intoxication, and leucorrhea in women.

11.Tofu

Tofu is a processed product made from soybean seeds. It is sweet and cool in nature. It contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin B, vitamin C, etc. It has the functions of replenishing qi and harmonizing the middle-jiao, promoting the production of body fluids and moistening dryness, clearing heat and detoxifying. It is applicable to signs of imbalance such as red eyes, diabetes insipidus, and recurrent dysentery, and can also detoxify sulfur and white spirit.