Natural Herb Library

Rice Grain

Pinyin
Da Mi
Latin
Semen Oryzae
Botanical illustration of Rice, Oryza sativa, showing Da Mi grain material, source panicle, and diagnostic rice details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

This sweet, neutral herb enters the Spleen and Stomach. Traditionally, it tonifies the middle and gently nourishes qi ... Da Mi sits near the medicine-food boundary and is used when weak digestion, poor appetite, or convalescent depletion need a very mild support, most often applied for poor appetite, diarrhea, and digestive weakness. Modern research has identified Starch among its active constituents.

Part used: Seed

Also Known As

Da Mi Oryza sativa Grain Whole Rice Grain

Latin: Semen Oryzae | Pinyin: Da Mi

TCM Properties

Taste
sweet
Temperature
neutral
Channels
Spleen, Stomach

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Tonifies the middle and gently nourishes qi ... Da Mi sits near the medicine-food boundary and is used when weak digestion, poor appetite, or convalescent depletion need a very mild support.
  • Generates fluids and harmonizes the Stomach ... rice decoctions and gruels are traditional choices for thirst, irritability, and recovery after heat or illness when heavier tonics would be too much.
  • Helps stop diarrhea and stabilize weak digestion ... plain rice, rice water, and thin congee preparations are classic supportive foods when the middle burner is fragile.

Secondary Actions

  • This page should stay distinct from the polished `rice-2` / Jing Mi sibling ... Da Mi here is the broader whole-grain or less-refined medicinal food lane.
  • Its importance in Chinese medicine comes less from dramatic pharmacology and more from being a reliable carrier and protector of Stomach qi.

Classic Formulas

  • Bai Hu Tang and Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang ... rice helps protect the Stomach and fluids while stronger heat-clearing herbs do the main therapeutic work.
  • Rice water or thin congee ... classic recovery support for nausea, weakness, and poor intake after illness.
  • Food-therapy combinations with Shan Yao, Lian Zi, or Da Zao ... gentle middle-burner nourishment when rebuilding is more important than forceful intervention.

Classical References

  • Traditional Chinese medicine values rice as a food-like support for the Spleen and Stomach, especially when recovery and tolerance matter more than aggressive action.
  • Its recurrent appearance in classical formulas reflects a protective and harmonizing role rather than a harsh stand-alone medicinal profile.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Starch and resistant-starch fractions ... the dominant nutritive substrate in rice-grain research
  • Fiber-rich outer-layer constituents in less-refined grain ... important to the whole-grain health discussion
  • Phenolic acids and related polyphenols ... better represented in whole rice grain than in polished white grain

Studied Effects

  • A 2019 review summarized rice as a globally important nutritional staple, reinforcing why Da Mi is best understood as a medicinal food rather than a concentrated herbal drug (PMID 31619630).
  • A 2025 review on whole grains emphasized that grain structure and phytochemicals matter for health, which is directly relevant when distinguishing broader Da Mi from more polished rice products (PMID 40856522).
  • A 2015 review focused on polyphenols in whole rice grain and their health relevance, supporting the idea that less-refined rice retains a different nutritive profile from polished white rice (PMID 25766805).

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Cautions

  • This page covers rice as a medicinal food support, not a substitute for medical care in severe dehydration, malnutrition, or persistent digestive disease.
  • Modern nutrition findings depend heavily on preparation style, refinement level, and total diet rather than on rice alone.

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rice Grain used for?

Rice Grain is traditionally used to Tonifies the middle and gently nourishes qi ... Da Mi sits near the medicine-food boundary and is used when weak digestion, poor appetite, or convalescent depletion need a very mild support., Generates fluids and harmonizes the Stomach ... rice decoctions and gruels are traditional choices for thirst, irritability, and recovery after heat or illness when heavier tonics would be too much., Helps stop diarrhea and stabilize weak digestion ... plain rice, rice water, and thin congee preparations are classic supportive foods when the middle burner is fragile.. Research has investigated its effects on: A 2019 review summarized rice as a globally important nutritional staple, reinforcing why Da Mi is best understood as a medicinal food rather than a concentrated herbal drug (PMID 31619630).; A 2025 review on whole grains emphasized that grain structure and phytochemicals matter for health, which is directly relevant when distinguishing broader Da Mi from more polished rice products (PMID 40856522)..

What are other names for Rice Grain?

Rice Grain is also known as Da Mi, Oryza sativa Grain, Whole Rice Grain. In TCM: Semen Oryzae.

Is Rice Grain safe during pregnancy?

The safety of Rice Grain during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.