Mài Yá (麦芽), known in English as Germinated barley (Hordeum vulgare (germinated)), is a neutral, sweet Chinese herb from the Relieve food stagnation category. It enters the Spleen, Stomach and Liver channels. Its main action: reduces food stagnation — grains and starchy foods.
| Pinyin | Mài Yá (Mai Ya) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 麦芽 |
| English | Germinated barley |
| Botanical name | Hordeum vulgare (germinated) |
| Category | Relieve food stagnation |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels | Spleen, Stomach, Liver |
| Dosage | 9–15g |
| Cautions | Breastfeeding mothers (avoid if continuing to nurse) |
Actions
- Reduces food stagnation — grains and starchy foods
- Inhibits lactation (large doses)
- Spreads Liver qi (mild)
Indications
- Food stagnation from grains and starchy foods
- Liver qi stagnation
- Weaning (large doses 60–120g)
How to remember Mài Yá
Relieve food stagnation herbs are mostly sweet, and most enter the Stomach and Spleen channels.
- You can work these out
- Sweet, Spleen channel: like most Relieve food stagnation herbs
- Stomach channel: from its action “Reduces food stagnation”
- Liver channel: from its action “Spreads Liver qi”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: Relieve food stagnation herbs vary in nature
Formulas containing Mài Yá
Other Relieve food stagnation herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Mài Yá?
Mài Yá is neutral and sweet.
Which channels does Mài Yá enter?
Mài Yá enters the Spleen, Stomach and Liver channels.
What are the actions of Mài Yá?
Reduces food stagnation — grains and starchy foods; Inhibits lactation (large doses); Spreads Liver qi (mild).
What is Mài Yá used for?
Food stagnation from grains and starchy foods; Liver qi stagnation; weaning (large doses 60–120g).
Which formulas contain Mài Yá?
Zhèn Gān Xī Fēng Tāng and Jiàn Pí Wán.
Practise Mài 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.