Mài Yá (麦芽) — Germinated barley / Barley sprout

On this page

1. Overview
2. Properties
3. Actions and indications
4. Key formulas
5. Modern research
6. Cautions and contraindications
7. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

Mài Yá (麦芽) — Hordeum vulgare (germinated) — is known in English as Germinated barley / Barley sprout. It belongs to the category of Herbs that relieve food stagnation in the Chinese Materia Medica and is used in Chinese herbal medicine as a component of classical herbal formulas and tailored prescriptions.

I prescribe Mài Yá as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan. Herbs are always combined with other herbs selected to match the patient’s individual TCM pattern. Online consultations are available for patients who cannot attend my clinic in person.

2. Properties

3. Actions and indications

Principal actions

1. Reduces food stagnation — particularly for starchy and fruit food accumulation
2. Strengthens the Spleen and harmonises the Stomach
3. Inhibits lactation — specifically reduces or stops breast milk production
4. Spreads Liver Qi and resolves constraint

Indications

1. Food stagnation with bloating, poor appetite and digestive discomfort
2. Weaning from breastfeeding — to reduce and stop milk production
3. Hyperprolactinaemia — elevated prolactin levels
4. Liver Qi stagnation with hypochondriac fullness and digestive upset
5. Spleen and Stomach weakness with poor appetite

4. Key formulas containing Mài Yá

Mài Yá appears in the following key formulas:

• Bao He Wan

See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 70 classical formulas.

5. Modern research

Hordeum vulgare (Mai Ya, germinated barley) is a food-medicine with documented specific effects on prolactin and lactation. Key bioactive constituents include hordenine, maltol, amylase, maltase, vitamin B complex and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Hordenine has documented dopamine agonist activity — stimulating D2 receptors and thereby inhibiting prolactin secretion from the pituitary. This is the mechanism underlying both its lactation-suppressing effect and its potential use for hyperprolactinaemia, which impairs ovulation and fertility. GABA content contributes to its Spleen-calming and Liver Qi-regulating effects. Digestive enzyme content (amylase, maltase) explains its food stagnation-resolving action.

6. Cautions and contraindications

Avoid during breastfeeding in large doses if you wish to maintain milk supply — hordenine suppresses prolactin and will reduce milk production. Use large doses (60-120g) for lactation suppression; standard doses (10-15g) for digestion have minimal effect on milk supply.

Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Never self-prescribe Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM with over 25 years of clinical experience.

7. Treatment at my clinic

I prescribe Mài Yá as part of tailored herbal formulas for a range of conditions including Digestive disorders, Fertility, Irritable bowel syndrome. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment and adjusted throughout treatment as the pattern responds.

I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available throughout the UK and internationally. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.

Return to the Chinese herb directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.