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Cura x Cura

Gu Ya谷芽

Setariae Fructus Germinatus · Millet Sprout · Sprouted Foxtail Millet

Herbs that Relieve Food Stagnation 消食药

Overview

Foxtail millet germinated and dried. Its actions match Dao Ya closely and the two are prescribed almost interchangeably, but they are not the same grain: the pharmacopoeial Gu Ya is millet and Dao Ya is rice, and in southern practice the name Gu Ya has long been written for rice sprout, so a prescription that crosses regions is worth confirming at the counter. Sweet and slightly warm, it reduces food stagnation and, above all, restores an appetite that a weak digestion has taken away.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet · Warm

Channels

Spleen · Stomach

Typical Dosage

9–15 g in decoction
谷芽Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Reduces food stagnation, harmonises the middleGrain and starch sitting undigested, abdominal fullness, foul belching, a coated tongue after overeating.
  • Strengthens the Spleen, opens the appetiteNot hungry, eats little, tires easily — the appetite failure of a weak middle burner rather than of an overloaded one.
  • Raw, dry-fried and charredAs with Dao Ya: raw for gentle harmonising and appetite, dry-fried toward reduction, charred for entrenched accumulation.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Gu Ya

No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Food stagnation with abdominal fullness and belching
    - Poor appetite and low intake from Spleen-Stomach weakness
    - Digestive weakness in children and after illness
    - Cases needing a digestive that will not deplete

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Poor appetiteIndigestionBloatingFailure to thrive

Contraindications

Cautions

No classical contraindication — the herb is mild enough that its risk is under-treating rather than over-treating. One practical caution: because Gu Ya and Dao Ya circulate under overlapping names, confirm which grain is actually being dispensed when the distinction matters to the prescription.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No pregnancy restriction of record, and no reputation for affecting milk supply, so it is suitable during breastfeeding at ordinary doses. Dosing stays with the treating practitioner.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    2. 《中华人民共和国药典》.
    3. 《中华本草》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.