Click the blue text to follow us
A handful of Coix seeds, 11 ways to use them, can treat 8 conditions
Coix seeds, known as Yi Yi Ren (薏苡仁), are commonly seen in supermarkets. Many people cook them in porridge, but they have numerous medicinal values that many may not be aware of. Below, we will introduce their uses, especially suitable for those who live far from hospitals or pharmacies and find it inconvenient to buy medicine. For those who can easily access medicine, it is still better to purchase it.
Coix seeds are the dried mature seeds of the plant Coix lacryma-jobi, which belongs to the grass family. The plants are harvested in autumn when the fruits mature, dried, and the seeds are collected after removing the outer shell, yellow-brown seed coat, and impurities. They often grow near houses, in wastelands, by rivers, streams, or in damp valleys. They are widely distributed across most regions of the country, generally cultivated.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Coix seeds are sweet, bland, and cool in nature. They enter the Spleen (脾), Stomach (胃), and Lung (肺) meridians. They can strengthen the Spleen, drain dampness, alleviate pain, stop diarrhea, clear heat, and expel pus. They are used for edema, beriberi, difficulty in urination, dampness obstructing the channels, Spleen deficiency diarrhea, lung abscess, intestinal abscess; flat warts.
Modern research has proven that Coix seeds are rich in carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and vitaminsB1, coixenolide, coixol, and various amino acids. Pharmacological tests have found that the decoction of Coix seeds can inhibit the growth of cancer cells and cause damage to them. Due to their mild properties, sweet and bland taste, and non-toxicity, they have become a popular health product among the public.
The specific therapeutic effects of Coix seeds are as follows:
1. Coix Seed Tea
Ingredients: Coix seeds 10g, Jasmine tea 3g.
Method: Use the decoction of Coix seeds 300ml, brew with Jasmine tea for drinking. Drink until the taste is mild.
Function: Strengthens the Spleen and nourishes the Lungs; clears heat and drains dampness; lowers blood sugar, and has anti-tumor effects.
Indications: edema, diarrhea; dampness obstructing the channels, stiffness in the muscles and tendons; beriberi; leukorrhea; turbid urination; gastric cancer; cervical cancer.
2. Coix Seed Porridge
[Prescription] Coix seeds 30 grams Japonica rice 60 grams
[Preparation] Cook Coix seeds and Japonica rice together into porridge.
[Function and Indications] Drains dampness, clears heat. Can be used as an adjunct treatment for children with chickenpox.
[Dosage] Twice daily, as a staple food.
4. Scallion Coix Seed Porridge
[Prescription] Scallion whites 1 handful, fermented soybeans 3 pieces, burdock root (cut, washed, and peeled) half a liter, mint 1 handful, Coix seeds 2 pieces.
[Function and Indications] Stroke, headache, irritability, poor appetite, weakness in hands and feet, pain in muscles and bones, facial droop, slurred speech.
[Dosage] Boil scallion whites, burdock root, mint, and fermented soybeans in 5 large cups of water, simmer to obtain 2.5 cups, strain, add Coix seeds, and cook into porridge. Eat on an empty stomach.
5. Snake Grass Coix Seed Porridge
[Ingredients] White flower snake tongue grass 80 grams, arrowroot powder 50 grams, Coix seeds 50 grams.
[Preparation] Wash the white flower snake tongue grass and add 1500 milliliters of water, boil on high heat, then simmer for 15 minutes, strain to obtain the juice; add Coix seeds and cook until they split open, then add arrowroot powder and cook until done.
[Dosage] Consume warm in divided doses.
[Function] Clears heat and detoxifies, strengthens the Spleen and promotes urination. Can be used for prostate cancer.
6. Pork Kidney Coix Seed Porridge:
Pork kidneys 1 pair, remove membranes and fat, chop, wash, and combine with peeled and chopped yam 100 grams, Japonica rice 200 grams, Coix seeds 50 grams, add appropriate amount of water, and cook into porridge over low heat, seasoning to taste. It has the effect of nourishing the kidneys and benefiting the skin. Suitable for pigmentation and dark spots on the skin.
7. Coix Seeds with Patchouli for Beauty
Coix seeds with Patchouli for beauty
Method: Coix seeds are a type of grain with a significant effect on removing internal waste, and they are also a good herb for strengthening the Spleen and Stomach. Each time 60 grams, boil in water for about 1 hour until soft, then 15 minutes before turning off the heat, add 3 grams of Patchouli wrapped in gauze, turn off the heat, remove the gauze, and drink the soup and eat the grains.
Effect observation: Dampness is a type of waste that is difficult to remove, so the effects may not be noticeable until a few days or even a week later; do not rush.
8. Milk and Honey Coix Seed Face Mask
Grind Coix seeds into powder, take one to two tablespoons, add one to two tablespoons of milk, a little honey, mix well, and apply evenly on the face, or use a mask paper to soak and apply to the face. It has whitening and skin-smoothing effects. Each time 15–20 minutes, 2–3 times a week, can achieve unexpected whitening and skin-smoothing effects.
9. Lily Coix Seed Porridge
Wash 50 grams of Coix seeds and 15 grams of lily, place in a pot, add appropriate amount of water, and cook until the Coix seeds are hot and soft, then add honey and mix well to serve.
This porridge is sweet, fragrant, and slightly sticky, with a hint of fragrance. Regular consumption can strengthen the Spleen and benefit the Stomach, improve skin and remove spots, can be used to treat women’s facial freckles, acne, eczema, etc., beneficial for young women’s beauty.
10. Yam Coix Seed Porridge
Take 30 grams each of yam and Coix seeds, 15 grams of lotus seeds, 10 red dates, 50 grams of millet, and a little sugar. Cut the yam finely, remove the core from the lotus seeds, and pit the red dates. Wash clean and cook with millet to make porridge, then add sugar to mix well.
Eat on an empty stomach, twice daily. This porridge can strengthen the Spleen and benefit Qi. Suitable for Spleen and Stomach deficiency, poor appetite, abdominal distension, loose stools, weakness in limbs, elderly edema, and women’s leukorrhea. Avoid for those with constipation.
11. Pearl and Jade Porridge
First, pound yam and Coix seeds into coarse grains, place in a clay pot, add appropriate amount of water, and cook until soft, then cut the persimmon frost cake into pieces and stir into the cooked porridge until dissolved. Adding persimmon frost to the cooked porridge is ready to eat.This porridge can nourish the Spleen and Lungs, stop cough and expel phlegm, suitable for Spleen and Lung Qi deficiency, poor appetite, and cough due to deficiency.
For more health treatment knowledge, please click the following links:
One ingredient, Coix seeds, can treat 10 conditions
Coix seeds not only eliminate internal dampness but also strengthen the Spleen and relieve pain, making them an excellent food therapy ingredient.
For children’s eczema, use summer withered grass or Coix seeds, convenient and easy to obtain, most suitable for the common people.