Coix seed, also known as Job’s tears, or Chinese pearl barley, is widely used both in food and in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is rich in protein, polysaccharides, unsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber, vitamins, and essential minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron, making it a highly nutritious addition to the diet.
Coix seed also offers significant medicinal value. It has been shown to aid in cancer prevention, alleviate muscle tension, and reduce joint inflammation, as well as regulate blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. It also helps prevent gout, supports skin whitening, and combats skin aging.
Additionally, coix seed contains a variety of bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, flavonoids, terpenes, sterols, and alkaloids. These compounds exhibit a wide range of pharmacological effects, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic (blood sugar-lowering), hypolipidemic (lipid-lowering), anti-cancer, hepatoprotective (liver-protective), and immunomodulatory properties.
Anti-Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, with a five-year relative survival rate of only 28 percent when the cancer is localized.
Coix seed offers numerous health benefits, including anti-cancer properties and the ability to treat inflammation and abscesses. According to the ancient Chinese text “Fan Wang Fang,” symptoms of lung cancer and lung-related conditions, such as lung inflammation, coughing, and abscesses, can be treated by drinking a hot mixture of coix seed boiled in concentrated bitter wine. This is believed to help expel blood from the lungs and gradually heal the condition. Simple methods such as this one have been used since ancient times to treat lung cancer and continue to offer valuable insights for modern practices.
Research has shown that polysaccharide extracts from coix seed can induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, thereby aiding in the inhibition and treatment of NSCLC, the most common form of lung cancer.
In addition to lung cancer, coix seed may also be beneficial in treating malignant tumors of the female reproductive system, such as breast cancer and cervical cancer. Studies have shown that coix seed and its extracts can inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and migration of various cancers, including colon, liver, gastric, and pancreatic cancers, while promoting cancer cell apoptosis. It may also serve as a significant adjunctive therapy in cancer treatment.
Relief for Joint Inflammation
Another notable benefit of coix seed is its ability to relax muscles and relieve cramps. It can also help alleviate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, such as joint pain and stiffness. The ancient Chinese medical text “Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing” (“Divine Farmer’s Classic of Materia Medica”) documents that coix seed can ease muscle tension, cramps, joint stiffness, pain, and inflammation caused by rheumatism.
In TCM, many illnesses are believed to be caused by pathogenic factors such as wind and dampness from the environment. When these factors invade the body, they can block the meridians, disrupting the flow of qi (energy) and blood (nutrients). This disruption can lead to organ dysfunction and impaired fluid metabolism, resulting in symptoms such as swelling, fatigue, inflammation, and joint pain. Eliminating dampness is, therefore, crucial for addressing the root cause of these conditions.
Coix seed is often used to expel pathogenic wind and dampness from the body, making it effective in treating related conditions.
Older people and office workers who sit for extended periods are particularly susceptible to issues caused by excessive dampness in the body. When dampness cannot be expelled, it may manifest as lower back pain, muscle cramps, or stiffness in older people. For office workers, prolonged sitting and high work-related stress can lead to shoulder and neck pain, muscle tension, fatigue, low energy levels, and reduced productivity.
These issues can be alleviated through dietary adjustments. Incorporating coix seed into your diet can promote overall health and may also help reduce the risk of cancer.
How to Add It to Your Diet
The simplest way to enjoy coix seed is to soak a small handful in water until softened, then cook it with rice. However, other recipes are detailed below.
Coix Seed Paste
Making coix seed paste at home is simple. You can cook the coix seeds first and then blend them, or soak them until soft, blend them, and cook the mixture afterward. Typically, the ratio of coix seed to water should be one to 10 or one to 15; you can add sugar to taste.
According to TCM, drinking coix seed paste helps expel dampness from the body and promotes overall health. Consuming it one to two times a week is recommended. Sip slowly rather than gulping it down.
Many people aspire to maintain a youthful appearance, but effective skin care requires more than skin care products and sufficient sleep; dietary adjustments are just as important. A well-balanced diet can help brighten the complexion and reduce dullness from within. Studies have shown that coix seed paste can reduce the appearance of age spots, leaving the skin smoother and more refined. Rich in vitamins C and E and other antioxidants, coix seed helps combat oxidative stress, slow cellular aging, and enhance skin radiance.
For a healthy start to the day, try pairing an egg pancake or egg sandwich with a cup of coix seed paste.
Coix Seed Si Shen Tang
Si shen tang (four-ingredient soup) is a well-known TCM formula made with four key ingredients: poria (fu ling), euryale seeds (qian shi), lotus seeds (lian zi), and Chinese yam (huai shan). Like coix seed, these ingredients also have significant medicinal value.
A popular variation, coix seed si shen tang, is not only delicious, but also highly beneficial, particularly for those with the “three highs” (high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and high blood lipids). This soup can also help relieve joint discomfort, swelling, and pain and may benefit people prone to gout.
Ingredients:
- 61 fluid ounces (~1.8 liters) water
- 2 ounces (~60 grams) euryale seeds
- 2 ounces (~60 grams) lotus seeds
- 1 ounces (~30 grams) Chinese yam
- 1 ounces (~30 grams) coix seed
- .9 ounce (~25 grams) poria
- 1 chicken drumstick
- Salt, to taste
Preparation:
- Cut the chicken drumstick into small pieces and blanch them in hot water. Set aside.
- Wash all the ingredients thoroughly and place them in an electric cooker. Add water to the cooker and cook for 20 minutes. If using a stovetop, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. Add salt to taste before serving.
The chicken drumstick can be replaced with pork ribs. For vegetarians, substitute king oyster mushrooms or corn for the meat.
Chinese yam nourishes the kidneys and strengthens the spleen and stomach. Poria helps reduce edema, while euryale seeds support spleen function and improve kidney health. Lotus seeds promote spleen health and help alleviate diarrhea.
Eating coix seed si shen tang regularly can help expel dampness, strengthen the spleen and stomach, and boost immunity.
Precautions
Coix seed contains coixenolide, which can stimulate uterine contractions. Pregnant women, particularly those in their first trimester when the embryo is most fragile, should avoid consuming it, as it may increase the risk of miscarriage.
Some herbs mentioned in this article may be unfamiliar, but they are generally available in health food stores and Asian grocery stores. It is important to note that treatment methods may vary depending on the individual. Please consult a health care professional for a specific treatment plan.
