Xiao Mai
English Name: wheat
Pharmaceutical Name: Fructus Tritici
Medica Category: Shen Calming Herbs
Properties: Xiao Mai enters the Heart channel; it is sweet and slightly astringent in nature and cool in temperature.
What is Xiao Mai?:
The Chinese Herb Xiao Mai is dried, unripe wheat kernels from common cultivated wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Xiao Mai:
Xiao Mai nourishes the Heart and calms the shen to address palpitations and insomnia as well as emotional instability, irritability, and disorientation associated with “restless organ disorder” (a condition linked to Liver qi stagnation with qi and blood deficiencies).
Xiao Mai has a slightly astringent nature and is used to stop sweating in cases of deficiency, including spontaneous sweating (due to qi deficiency) and night sweats (due to yin deficiency). It is also used to help stop bedwetting in children.