Germinated Barley (Mai Ya)
麦芽 · Màiyá
Hordeum vulgare
Family: Poaceae · Part used: Germinated grain · Origin: Northern China plains
Nature
Neutral
Flavor
Sweet
Meridian
Spleen, Stomach, Liver
Mai Ya — sprouted barley, germinated just until the sprout matches the grain — is the gentle digestive that specializes in starches and grains where hawthorn handles meat. Uniquely, generous doses assist the flow of milk; fried, it may reduce it — a herb whose direction changes with its preparation, as classical pharmacists well knew.
🌿 Functions & Actions
- •Promotes digestion of grains and starches
- •Moves liver qi and eases distension
- •Assists or reduces lactation depending on dose and preparation
📋 Traditional Indications
- •Bloating from starchy foods
- •Poor appetite in children
- •Breast distension and weaning support (large doses, fried)
- •Mild food stagnation with liver qi
📖 Usage & Dosage
10–15 g in decoction (up to 60–120 g for weaning, fried); sprout tea after meals.
🍵 Classic Recipes
Mai Ya Shan Zha Tea
Barley malt 10 g + hawthorn 8 g, simmered 10 minutes — the after-feast digestive.
Gu Ya Mai Ya Drink
Rice sprout + barley malt equal parts, steeped for children's poor appetite.
🔬 Modern Research
Barley sprout amylases and hordenine are studied for digestive-enzyme support; germinated barley foodstuff has clinical evidence in gut health.
⚠️ Contraindications
Nursing mothers should avoid large doses (may reduce milk supply).
