Coix seed (Yìyǐrén) is a common medicinal material and also a frequently used ingredient in our daily diet.
It comes from a plant called coix (Yìmǐ), and the mature seeds of this plant are dried and hulled to become what we commonly refer to as coix seed. The main production areas in China include Fujian, Hebei, and Liaoning.
Coix seed is an excellent ingredient and medicinal herb, not only can it be made into delicious food, but it also has many medicinal values. Coix seed has a sweet, bland, and cool nature, and it enters the spleen (pí), stomach (wèi), and lung (fèi) meridians. Its main functions include: promoting diuresis and draining dampness, strengthening the spleen and stopping diarrhea, alleviating pain, expelling pus, and detoxifying and dispersing masses.
1. Promoting Diuresis and Reducing Swelling
Coix seed can help us urinate and eliminate excess water from the body, which is beneficial for symptoms such as spleen deficiency with edema, beriberi swelling, and difficulty urinating.
2. Strengthening the Spleen and Stopping Diarrhea
If your diarrhea is caused by spleen deficiency, consuming roasted coix seed can alleviate the symptoms.
3. Alleviating Joint Pain
Coix seed can also help eliminate dampness, relax the meridians, and relieve joint pain and stiffness.
4. Expelling Pus
For diseases such as lung abscess and intestinal abscess that involve pus, coix seed can help expel pus and alleviate symptoms.
5. Detoxifying and Dispersing Masses
Coix seed can also be used to treat tumors and warts.
When using coix seed, it is generally decocted, with a dosage of 9-30g.
If it is used for diuresis or reducing swelling, it is best to use raw coix seed; if it is used to strengthen the spleen and stop diarrhea, roasted coix seed is more effective.
However, it is important to note that due to the slippery nature of coix seed, pregnant women should use it with caution.
Material provided by｜Xiong Qian, TCM Department
Edited by｜Health Education Department
Reviewed by｜Han Tongkun
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