Tritici Levis Fructus
Aliases：Fú Shuǐ Mài (Floating Water Wheat); Fú Mài (Floating Wheat); Fū Mài (Bran Wheat); Qīng Mài (Light Wheat); Chén Xiǎo Mài (Aged Wheat).
Fú Xiǎo Mài (Light Wheat) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It refers to the dried, immature caryopsis of Triticum aestivum L., a plant of the Poaceae family. During the wheat harvest, those light, shriveled, and thin grains that float on water when washed are collected and dried for medicinal use. It is named “floating wheat” because of its light, floating nature.
Efficacy & Actions
Stabilizes the exterior to stop sweating, benefits qi, and clears heat.
Indications
Used for spontaneous sweating, night sweats, and bone-steaming with tidal fever. Modern applications also include hyperhidrosis caused by menopausal syndrome and autonomic nerve dysfunction.
Modern Pharmacology
Antihidrotic Effect: Light wheat is rich in starch, protein, and B vitamins, which help constrict sweat pores and reduce sweat secretion. Sedative Effect: Light wheat has a central nervous system depressant effect, prolonging pentobarbital-induced sleep time in mice, exhibiting certain sedative and calming properties. Antidepressant Effect: The combination of light wheat with licorice and jujube (i.e., Gan Mai Da Zao Decoction) is commonly used clinically for menopausal syndrome and depression, with its mechanism possibly related to the regulation of neurotransmitters. Antioxidant Effect: Light wheat contains various phenolic compounds and exhibits antioxidant activity. Immunomodulatory Effect: Light wheat polysaccharides enhance macrophage phagocytosis and improve immune function.
Ingredients
Starch: Approximately 70% or more. Protein: Approximately 6–12%. Saccharides: Including glucose, fructose, sucrose, etc. Fat: Small amounts. Vitamins: B vitamins (B₁, B₂, B₆), vitamin E, etc. Minerals: Potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, etc. Phenolic Compounds: Ferulic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, etc. Enzymes: Amylase, protease, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, 15–30 g; or prepared in pills or powder. Topical Application: Appropriate amount, stir-fried until hot, ground into powder, and mixed for external application.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with anhidrosis and restlessness. Not suitable for patients with unresolved exterior pathogens (e.g., fever and chills without sweating due to common cold). Use with caution in patients with yin deficiency and fluid depletion presenting as dry mouth and tongue. Contraindicated in individuals allergic to wheat.
Selected Formulas
For night sweats and persistent deficiency sweating (Weisheng Baojian) Take an appropriate amount of floating wheat (Fuxiaomai), stir-fry over medium-low heat until charred, grind into fine powder. Take 6g each time, mixed with rice water, and take frequently. For spontaneous sweating and night sweats due to blood deficiency in men and women (Qixiao Liangfang) Take equal parts of stir-fried floating wheat, honey-fried Huangqi (Astragalus), stir-fried Baizhu (Atractylodes), and Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia). Grind into powder. Take 9g each time, mixed with red date and ginger decoction. For visceral agitation (hysteria), mental confusion, and tendency to weep (Jin Gui Yao Lue, Ganmai Dazao Tang) Take 30g floating wheat, 10g Gancao (Licorice), and 10 red dates. Decoct in water and drink. For night sweats in children (empirical formula) Take 15g floating wheat, 15g Nuodaogen (glutinous rice root), and 5 red dates. Decoct in water and drink. For excessive sweating during menopausal syndrome (empirical formula) Take 30g floating wheat, 30g calcined Muli (oyster shell), and 10g Wuweizi (Schisandra fruit). Decoct in water and drink.
Daily Consumption
Light Wheat Tea: Take 30 g of light wheat, rinse, add 500 ml of water, and boil for 15 minutes. Drink as tea. It can be used for spontaneous sweating and night sweats. Light Wheat Congee: Take 30 g of light wheat and 50 g of polished round-grained rice. Cook together into a congee, then add rock sugar to taste. It helps nourish the heart, calm the mind, and stop sweating. Light Wheat and Jujube Soup: Take 30 g of light wheat, 10 jujube dates, and 6 g of licorice (Gān Cǎo). Decoct in water and take orally. Suitable for restlessness, insomnia, and excessive sweating.
Medicinal Parts
Dried, immature caryopsis (light, shriveled, and thin specimens).
Selection & Storage
Store in a well-ventilated, dry place, protected from insects and mold.