Medicinally Fu Xiao Mai means the immature caryopsis of Triticum aestivum L., a wheat grass in the family Gramineae. It is produced all cross China. After the harvest, pick the shriveled floating ones by putting them in water and then dry them in the sun. The preferred ones are floating and lightweight. On this account, it gets many a different common names, including Un-Ripe Wheat Grain, blighted wheat, Fructus Tritici Levis, Semen Tritici Aestivi Levis, shriveled wheat, light wheat, floating wheat, and so on.

The dry caryopsis is oblong, about 2 to 6mm long, and 1.5 to 2.5mm in diameter. Surface is pale brown or yellow and slightly wrinkled. Belly comes with a deep longitudinal groove in the center. Base of back has 1 inconspicuous embryo and top has yellow pubescence. It is quite hard but some are soft. Cross section is white or yellowish-brown. Few come with glume and cover. It is odorless and tasteless. The high quality grains are even, floating, and shiny.

TRITICUM AESTIVUM HEALTH BENEFITS 
Blighted wheat has very wide medicinal uses and high nutritional value. Many people would sweat during sleeping, which may cause no discomfort. Actually this is the symptom of night sweat, which is mainly caused by deficiency of kidney yin. It may aggravate if left untreated. And that is where the shriveled Triticum aestivum L. comes in. And its modern pharmacology can tip you off why it has these amazing healing benefits mentioned above.

MODERN PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS
1. Bacteriostatic action. It can inhibit the growth of the pathogenic bacteria. Meanwhile, it promotes the reproduction of beneficial bacteria and the synthesis of vitamins;
2. Lipid-lowering effect. It can significantly lower the level of serum cholesterol and triglyceride and improve immunity;
3. Liver protection. Triticum aestivum extract can tremendously decrease the content of lipid and lipid peroxidase in hepatic tissue.

Triticum Aestivum L

PROVEN TRITICUM AESTIVUM RELATED HERBAL FORMULAS 
This herb is considered sweet in flavor and cool in properties by herbalists of TCM (Traditional Chinese medicine). It also covers heart meridian. Key functions include stopping deficient sweating, eliminating deficient heat, and tranquilizing mind by nourishing the heart. Basic Triticum aestivum uses and indications are fever due to yin deficiency, Night Sweat, and spontaneous perspiration. Recommended dosage is from 15 to 30 grams in decoction. And its primary medicinal uses are as follows.

1. Spontaneous perspiration and night sweats.
This herb is good at strengthening exterior and reducing sweat. So it is widely used for spontaneous and night sweating by used alone or combining other herbs. In the case of qi-deficiency spontaneous sweating, it usually works together with Huang Qi (Astragalus Root), Mu Li (Oyster Shell), Ma Huang (Ephedra), and more. In this regard, the best sample formula is Mu Li San from Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang (Formulas of the Peaceful Benevolent Dispensary). In the case of yin-deficiency night sweating, it is typically used along with Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra Fruit), Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber), Di Gu Pi (Wolfberry Root Cortex), and so on.

2. Hectic fever and consumptive heat.
This herb is sweet and cool in nature, which can tonify qi and yin and reduce deficient heat. Generally it couples with Xuan Shen (Ningpo Figwort Root), Ophiopogon Tuber, Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia), Wolfberry Root Cortex, and so on.