Gǔ Yá (谷芽), known in English as Millet sprout (Setaria italica (sprouted grain)), is a warm, sweet Chinese herb from the Relieve food stagnation category. It enters the Spleen and Stomach channels. Its main action: reduces food stagnation, harmonises Middle Jiao.
| Pinyin | Gǔ Yá (Gu Ya) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 谷芽 |
| English | Millet sprout |
| Botanical name | Setaria italica (sprouted grain) |
| Category | Relieve food stagnation |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels | Spleen, Stomach |
| Dosage | 9–15g |
| Cautions | No significant cautions at standard doses |
Actions
- Reduces food stagnation, harmonises Middle Jiao
- Strengthens Spleen, opens appetite
Indications
- Food stagnation with abdominal distension and bad breath
- Spleen and Stomach weakness with no hunger and poor appetite
How to remember Gǔ Yá
Relieve food stagnation herbs are mostly sweet, and most enter the Stomach and Spleen channels.
- You can work these out
- Sweet: like most Relieve food stagnation herbs
- Spleen channel: from its action “Strengthens Spleen”
- Stomach channel: from its use for “Spleen and Stomach weakness with no hunger and poor appetite”
- Learn by heart
- Warm: Relieve food stagnation herbs vary in nature
Other Relieve food stagnation herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Gǔ Yá?
Gǔ Yá is warm and sweet.
Which channels does Gǔ Yá enter?
Gǔ Yá enters the Spleen and Stomach channels.
What are the actions of Gǔ Yá?
Reduces food stagnation, harmonises Middle Jiao; Strengthens Spleen, opens appetite.
What is Gǔ Yá used for?
Food stagnation with abdominal distension and bad breath; Spleen and Stomach weakness with no hunger and poor appetite.
Practise Gǔ Yá and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.