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Yi Yi Ren
Yi Yi Ren, the name of the herb, refers to the dried mature seeds of the plant Coix lacryma-jobi, which belongs to the Poaceae family. The plant is harvested in autumn when the fruits are ripe, dried, and the seeds are separated from the husk, yellow-brown seed coat, and impurities. It has the effects of promoting diuresis, resolving dampness, strengthening the spleen, and stopping diarrhea. This herb is mild and should be taken frequently over a long period.
Image of Yi Yi Ren
Image of Yi Yi Ren
Image of Coix Plant
Image of Yi Yi Ren
Introduction to Chinese Herbal Medicine
Herb Name: Yi Yi Ren
Pinyin: Yì Yǐ Rén
Alias: Coix Seed, Job’s Tears, Yi Mi, Yi Ren Mi, Gou Zi Mi
Source: This herb is the dried mature seeds of the plant Coix lacryma-jobi. It is harvested in autumn when the fruits are ripe, dried, and the seeds are separated from the husk, yellow-brown seed coat, and impurities.
Characteristics: The seeds are broad oval or elongated oval, measuring 4-8mm in length and 3-6mm in width. The surface is milky white, smooth, occasionally with remnants of yellow-brown seed coat. One end is blunt and rounded, while the other end is wider and slightly concave, with a light brown dot-like hilum. The back is rounded and convex, and the belly has a wide and deep longitudinal groove. The texture is solid, with a white powdery cross-section. It has a slight aroma and a mildly sweet taste.
Chemical Composition: The seeds contain 16.2% protein, 4.65% fat, 79.17% carbohydrates, and a small amount of vitamin B1 (330 micrograms%). The seeds also contain amino acids (such as leucine, lysine, arginine, and tyrosine), coixenolide, coixenolide esters, and triterpenoid compounds.
Properties: Sweet, bland, and cool.
Meridians Entered: Spleen, Stomach, and Lung meridians.
Storage: Store in a ventilated and dry place to prevent insect damage.
Contraindications: Use with caution in cases of spleen deficiency without dampness, constipation, and in pregnant women.
Functions of Yi Yi Ren
Strengthens the spleen, promotes dampness resolution, alleviates pain from dampness, and clears heat and pus. It is indicated for edema, beriberi, urinary difficulties, dampness obstruction, diarrhea, leucorrhea, rheumatic pain, lung abscess, intestinal abscess, and flat warts.
Actions of Yi Yi Ren
1. Antitumor Effects
Intraperitoneal injection of ethanol extract of Yi Yi Ren in tumor-bearing mice can inhibit the proliferation of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (ECA) cells and significantly prolong the survival time of the animals. Two components further isolated from this extract can induce cytoplasmic degeneration in cancer cells, while another component can halt the mitotic phase of the cell nucleus at metaphase.
2. Immune Effects
Neutral polysaccharide glucan mixtures and acidic polysaccharides IIa-1, 2, 3, IIb obtained from hot water extracts of Yi Yi Ren all exhibit anti-complement activity.
3. Effects on Blood Sugar, Calcium, and Pressure
Subcutaneous injection of ether extract of Yi Yi Ren (Yi Yi Ren oil) in rabbits can lower blood sugar and calcium levels. The water extract of Yi Yi Ren, when injected intraperitoneally in mice, can significantly reduce blood sugar concentration.
4. Trypsin Inhibition
A heat-stable trypsin inhibitor has been found in the bran of soft-shelled Yi Yi seeds. It is a simple protein with a molecular weight of about 12,000, containing many cysteine or cystine residues.
5. Induction of Ovulation
Patients with persistent anovulation who take Yi Yi Ren as the main herb in their formula can significantly improve hypothalamic function. Extracts of Yi Yi Ren can also induce ovulation in golden hamsters, with the active substances being ferulic acid and ferulic acid sterols.
Dosage of Yi Yi Ren
Internal use: 9-30g. –《Chinese Pharmacopoeia》
Internal use: decoction, 0.3-1 tael; or as a powder. –《Dictionary of Chinese Medicine》
Internal use: decoction, 10-30g; or in pills, powders, soaked in wine, cooked in porridge, or made into soup. –《Compendium of Materia Medica》
Formulas with Yi Yi Ren
Note: The following formulas should be used under the guidance of a physician.
1. For rheumatic pain, limb weakness, and lumbar pain
One pound of Yi Yi Ren, four taels each of real mulberry parasite, Angelica sinensis, Sichuan Dipsacus, and Cang Zhu (fried in rice wash). Divide into sixteen doses and decoct in water. –《Guangji Formula》
2. For chronic rheumatic pain, tonifying Qi, promoting digestion, reducing edema, and eliminating evil Qi from the chest, treating muscle and tendon spasms
Yi Yi Ren powdered, cooked with polished rice to make porridge, consumed daily. –《Bencao Gangmu》
3. To dispel wind-dampness, strengthen muscles and bones, and tonify the spleen and stomach
Yi Yi Ren powder, brewed with rice to make wine, or bagged and boiled in wine for drinking. –《Bencao Gangmu》
4. For edema and dyspnea
Two taels of Yuli Ren. Grind, filter with water, and cook Yi Yi Ren rice, consume twice daily. –《Duxing Formula》
5. For lung atrophy with purulent blood
Ten taels of Yi Yi Ren. Crush, add three liters of water, decoct to one liter, and add a little wine to take. –《Mei Shi Collection of Verified Formulas》
6. For lung abscess with cough and blood in the chest
Cook Yi Yi Ren in pure bitter wine until concentrated, take warm. If there is blood in the lungs, it should be expelled. –《Fan Wang Formula》
7. For lung abscess with hemoptysis
Three taels of Yi Yi Ren. Mash, add two large cups of water, a little wine, and divide into two doses. –《Jisheng Formula》
8. For intestinal abscess, with symptoms of abdominal pain, tenderness, and no accumulation, no fever, and rapid pulse, indicating pus in the intestines
Ten taels of Yi Yi Ren, two fen of Aconitum, and five fen of Sanguisorba. Grind the three ingredients into powder, take a spoonful with two liters of water, decoct until reduced by half, and take immediately; urination should occur. –《Jinkui Yaolue》
9. For intestinal abscess
One liter of Yi Yi Ren, three taels each of peony root and peach kernel, and two liters of melon seeds. Combine the four ingredients, boil with six liters of water to obtain two liters, and divide into two doses. –《Qianjin Formula》
Clinical Applications of Yi Yi Ren
Note: The following formulas should be used under the guidance of a physician.
Treatment of Flat Warts
Take two taels of freshly harvested Yi Yi Ren, mix with rice, and cook as rice or porridge, consumed once daily until recovery. In a study of 23 cases, after 7-16 days of medication, 11 cases were cured, 6 cases had unclear effects, and 6 cases were ineffective. Most patients experienced a therapeutic response before the rash disappeared: the lesions enlarged and reddened, and inflammation increased; after continuing the medication for several days, the lesions gradually dried and desquamated, leading to resolution.