Holistic Health Articles and Research Related to Herbal Medicines, Foods and Phytochemicals : Chinese Herbs – Da Mai Or Mai Ya (Fructus Hordei Germinatus)

Thursday 14 November 2013

Chinese Herbs – Da Mai Or Mai Ya (Fructus Hordei Germinatus)

Da Mai is also known as Barley. The sweet amd neutral herb has been used in TCM to treat ulcerated colitis, peptic ulcer, hypertension, diabetes, indigestion, flatulence, lack of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, as it harmonizes the Stomach, expands the Intestines, moves Water, etc. by enhancing the functions of spleen, stomach channels
Ingredients
1. α-amylase
2. b-amylase
3. Invertase
4. Limitdextrinase
5. Pullulanase
6. Cellulase
7. b- glucanase
8. Phenolase
9. Acid phosphatase
10. Peptidase
11. Endorprotinase
12. Protinase
13. Phosphodiesterase
14. Lipase
15. Protease
16. Oxidase
17. Catalyticase
18. Cellobiase
19. Etc.
Health Benefits
1. Immunostimulants
In the investigation of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparation, formulated from orange peel (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae), hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida), astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge), pilose asiabell root (Radix codonopsis), indigowoad root (Radix isatidis), taraxacum (Herba taraxaci) and malt (Fructus Hordei Germinatus) at a weight ratio of 1:1:1.5:1.5:1.5:1.5:2, indicated that TCM preparation can modulate the immunity of H. discus hannai, and it is very possible that TCM might be used as immunostimulants in abalone farming, according to “Effects of traditional Chinese medicine on immune responses in abalone, Haliotis discus hannai Ino” by Xue J, Xu Y, Jin L, Liu G, Sun Y, Li S, Zhang J,(1)
2. Chronic hepatitis B
In the determination of 96 cases with chronic hepatitis B treated by a double-blind method. There were 51 cases of observation group(OG) and 45 cases of control group (CG). OG was treated with Jiedu Yanggan Gao consisting of Artemisia capillaris, Taraxacum mongolicum, Plantago seed, Cephalanoplos segetum, Hedyotis diffusa, Flos Chrysanthemi Indici, Smilax glabra, Astragalus membranaceus, Salviae miltiorrhizae, Fructus Polygonii Orientalis, Radix Paeoniae Alba, Polygonatum sibiricum, etc.). CG was prescribed with three charred medicinal herbs (charred Fructus Crataegi, charred Fructrus Hordei Germinatus, charred fermented mixture of several medical herbs and wheat bran), found that TTT returned to normal in 52% cases of OG and 44% in CG (P greater than 0.05). 20% cases HBeAg shifted to negative in OG, but 6.7% in CG. Cases with negative DNAP in OG occupied 34.2%, but 10.8% in CG. 31.6% cases’ HBV-DNA changed to negative in OG, while 17.6% in CG. After comprehensive judgement, the total effective rate was 74.5% in OG and 24.4% in CG respectively (P less than 0.001). Eight cases were basically cured in OG and one case in CG. After one year’s follow-up, one recurred in eight patients of OG, however the only one cured in CG still relapsed, according to “[Clinical study of 96 cases with chronic hepatitis B treated with jiedu yanggan gao by a double-blind method].[Article in Chinese]” by Chen Z.(2)
3. Antioxidant activity
In the investigation of different plant seeds extracts of Citrus sinensis, Hordeum sativum, Triticum sativum, Canna indica, Citrullus vulgaris and Capsicum annuum and their antioxidant activity, found that Hordeum sativum extract exhibited highest inhibitory effect on RBCs hemolysis (59.55%) and the Capsicum annuum extract has highest inhibitory effect on linoleic acid peroxidation (65.06%), according to “The antioxidant activity and polyphenolic contents of different plant seeds extracts” by Atrooz OM.(3)
4. Etc.
Side effects
1. The herb can interact with other herbs auch as Da Huang and medicine including lowering blood sugar and hypertension, etc.
2. Do not use the herb in newborn, children, or if you are pregnant or breast feeding without first conculting with related field specialist.
3. Etc.