Latin Name
Coix lachryma jobi

General Description
The seeds are the functional parts of the coix plant, which is also known as Job's-tears. The full, round, white fruit is used as a food, and its seeds can be ingested over a long period of time without producing side effects other than a feeling of dryness. In traditional Chinese medicine the seeds are categorized as sweet, bland and slightly cold. The fruit is grown throughout China and harvested at the end of fall when the seeds have ripened.

Target Ailments
Taken internally for:

• Urinary difficulty, marked by edema (retention of body fluids).
  
• Carbuncles.
  
• Lung or intestinal abscesses.
  
• Diarrhea.
  
• Coated tongue (symptomatic of digestive problems).
  
• Arthritic pains from weather changes.
  
• Fever accompanied by inadequate urination.
  
• Plantar warts.

Preparations
Coix seeds are available in bulk at Chinese pharmacies, Asian food markets and some Western health food stores. The herb can also be obtained in tablet form from some Chinese pharmacies.
Combinations: A preparation of coix mixed with poria mushrooms, kudzu root and atractylodes (white) is often prescribed for traveler's diarrhea, weak digestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, morning sickness, bloating and cramps. When combined with winter melon seed, aduki beans and akebia caulis, coix is given for inadequate urination. Other combinations are prescribed for diarrhea and internal abscesses. Consult a Chinese medicine practitioner for information on herbal preparations and dosages.

Special Information

• Practitioners urge pregnant women to use the seeds with caution, because of the herb's drying effect on body tissues.
  
• Laboratory studies show that oil made from the seeds seems to reduce or eliminate muscle spasms in frogs.
  
• Clinical trials have indicated an effect of the oil from coix seeds on breathing: Low doses of the oil appear to stimulate breathing, while high doses seem to inhibit it. The oil also may cause dilation of the bronchial tubes.