Roasted barley malt, the sprouted grain that breaks down grain

Mai Ya reads “cereal sprout”: the cereal is barley (Hordeum vulgare), and more precisely the ripe grain that has been sprouted and then dried. Mai Ya does not exist in nature; it is made: the grains are soaked for a few hours, kept moist until the shoot reaches about half a centimetre, then dried. Germination is what creates its activity, and good sprouted barley shows its shoot and fine rootlets; it has no reference growing area, for its quality does not come from the place. For the roasted form, it is heated over a moderate flame until it turns golden, swells a little and releases its aroma.

Helping digest grains and starchy foods

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Mai Ya is sweet and neutral, the most temperate profile there is, with no Heat or Cold to offset. Associated with the Spleen and Stomach, it is traditionally used to aid digestion and break down what accumulates, especially grains and starchy foods: rice, wheat, noodles, bread, tubers. It does more than break down: it also strengthens the Spleen and “opens” the Stomach, which once again welcomes food. With hawthorn fruit, which takes care of fat and meat, it forms the pair for a complete table.

Roasted, more aromatic, and Qi in motion

A rising sprout, Mai Ya also enters the Liver, a rare entry in its family, and tradition credits it with soothing the Liver and moving Qi, gently. Roasting shifts its nature towards warm and gives it an aromatic quality: the movement of Qi and the breaking down of accumulations are thereby strengthened. The Ben Cao Hui Yan sums it up thus: “it supplements and yet moves”. The raw form, more active on starch, is sprouted malt seed.

Key benefits

Good digestion & Middle supported

Traditionally used to help digest grains and starchy foods, roasted sprouted barley contributes to good digestion while strengthening the Spleen.

Lightness after meals

By breaking down what a meal rich in starchy foods leaves behind, it supports a feeling of lightness after meals.

Qi in motion

Through the Liver, it accompanies the circulation of Qi according to Chinese tradition, with a gentleness that roasting makes more aromatic.