Xiatian Qu is recorded in the "Compendium of Materia Medica". It is a fermented medicine made from Banxia and Xiatianqing. According to the "Compendium of Materia Medica", it states: "Boil the juice of yellow beef, refine it into a paste (Xiatian paste), and mix it with powdered Banxia. Feed it to livestock for seven days, wait for the yellow clothes to dry in the sun, hang them in a windy place, the longer the better." Currently, the recipe includes 9kg of roasted Atractylodes, 9kg of Poria, 12kg of Codonopsis, 4.5kg of roasted licorice, 4.5kg of dried tangerine peel, and 12kg of Xiatian paste. First, dissolve the Xiatian paste in a suitable container using hot water. After crushing the other ingredients, pour in the dissolved Xiatian paste, mix well, and use a mold coated with sesame oil to make the fermented blocks, and then dry.
Processing Method:
1. Xiatian Qu: Take the original medicinal materials and remove impurities.
2. Wheat husk fried Xiatian Qu: Sprinkle wheat husk in a hot pan, when it emits thick smoke, add Xiatian Qu and fry until the surface of the medicine turns deep yellow. Remove and sift out the wheat husk.
Characteristics of the Medicinal Pieces:
Xiatian Qu is in the shape of cubic blocks with a light yellow surface. It has a loose texture. Wheat husk fried Xiatian Qu has a deep yellow surface and a slightly burnt aroma.
Processing Functions:
Xiatian Qu has a sweet and slightly bitter taste, and it is warm in nature. It belongs to the spleen and lung meridians. It has the functions of invigorating the spleen, moistening the lungs, and transforming phlegm and dissipating yin. Raw Xiatian Qu is commonly used for cough, phlegm nodules, and masses. It is particularly effective in treating stubborn phlegm masses (Compendium of Materia Medica). It invigorates the spleen and transforms phlegm, but it should be avoided by those with internal heat and dry phlegm (New Guide to Medicinal Pieces). After being fried with wheat husk, it produces a burnt aroma, enhancing its function of invigorating the stomach and promoting digestion. It is used for invigorating the spleen and nourishing the stomach, such as treating deficiency of qi and fatigue, abdominal distension (Pharmacy).
Processing Research:
Xiatian Qu has been recorded in the Qing Dynasty (Compendium of Materia Medica). Currently, there are various processing methods, such as frying with Fuzi.
Xiatian Qu contains various compounds containing cyanide and nitrogen-free compounds, such as creatine, taurine, gelatin, protein, amino acids, fats, milk essence, glucoside, inorganic salts, etc. In addition, it also contains starch, nicotine, licorice acid, etc.
