Grain Rain/ Rain Nourishes All Grains
According to legend, during the Eastern Han Dynasty, the southern regions were plagued by miasma. General Ma Yuan, under the orders of Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, embarked on a campaign to Jiaozhi (now parts of Guangdong and northern Vietnam) to quell the southern rebellion. Due to the soldiers’ inability to adapt to the local environment, many contracted beriberi, suffering from weakness and pain in the limbs, as well as edema in the lower extremities. Ma Yuan used Yiyiren (Coix seed) decoction for treatment, which proved effective. After the victory, Ma Yuan transported a cart of Yiyiren for cultivation, but was falsely accused of hoarding “pearls.” To dispel the rumors, he publicly poured the Yiyiren into the Li River in Guilin, thus clearing his name. In honor of the incorruptible and public-spirited general, this mountain was named Fubo Mountain, and the cave within was called Huanzhu Cave. This is now known as the “Fubo Scenic Area” by the Li River, and Yiyiren has also earned the nickname “Yizhuzi” (Pearl Seed).
Source
The dried mature seeds of the Gramineae plant Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen (Roman.) Stapf.
Aliases
Rice seed, Yiyiren, Yiren, Liugu, medicinal corn, and Goudou rice.
Production Areas
Mainly produced in Fujian, Hebei, and other regions.
Properties and Channels
Sweet, bland, and cool. Enters the spleen, stomach, and lung meridians.
Functions and Indications
Promotes urination and drains dampness, strengthens the spleen and stops diarrhea, alleviates pain, expels pus, detoxifies, and disperses masses. Used for edema, beriberi, urinary difficulties, spleen deficiency diarrhea, damp bi syndrome, lung abscess, intestinal abscess, warts, and cancerous tumors.
Identification
This product is broad oval or elongated oval in shape, measuring 4-8mm in length and 3-6mm in width. The surface is milky white and smooth, occasionally with remnants of yellow-brown seed coats; 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. It is firm, with a white cross-section and a powdery texture. It has a faint aroma and a slightly sweet taste. The best quality is characterized by large, full grains, white color, and no breakage.
Processing History
Yiyiren was first recorded in the Shennong Bencao Jing as a top-grade herb, with a long history of processing and various methods. From the Southern and Northern Dynasties, two processing methods were recorded: frying with glutinous rice and boiling in salt water. Later, during the Song Dynasty, two additional methods were added: dry frying and earth frying; in the Ming Dynasty, salt frying was introduced; and in the Qing Dynasty, ginger juice frying was added. The modern Chinese Pharmacopoeia and national and provincial processing standards record methods such as dry frying, earth frying, bran frying, and sand frying, with bran and sand frying not previously documented in historical texts.
Lingnan Processing Method
Clean the Yiyiren, moisten with water, steam for 2-3 hours until fully cooked, then remove, dry, and stir-fry over medium heat until the surface is slightly yellow and expanded, then cool.
Processing Effects
Stir-fried Yiyiren has a reduced cold nature compared to the raw product, enhancing its ability to strengthen the spleen and stop diarrhea, making it more suitable for patients with physical weakness.
Distinguishing Between Raw and Processed Products
△ The left image shows Yiyiren slices, while the right image shows stir-fried Yiyiren slices.
Modern Research
In terms of chemical composition, the content of triglycerides in processed Yiyiren increases; in clinical efficacy, Yiyiren not only has the traditional TCM effects of dampness removal and diuresis but also can treat various diseases in Western medicine, including multiple cancers, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, fatty liver, rheumatoid arthritis, and can enhance immunity and regulate intestinal flora.
Precautions for Use
Use with caution in cases of insufficient body fluids and during pregnancy.
Medicinal Cuisine
Dietary Therapy
Yiyiren Hawthorn Tea.
1Yiyiren Hawthorn Tea
Ingredients: 20g stir-fried Yiyiren, 10g hawthorn, 2 leaves of stevia.
Method: Add stir-fried Yiyiren and hawthorn to a container, add about 600-800ml of drinking water, soak for 30 minutes, boil for 20 minutes, then add stevia and boil again to drink as tea.
Effects: Strengthens the spleen, removes dampness, promotes qi, and aids digestion.
2Yiyiren Yam and Lean Meat Soup
Ingredients: 15g stir-fried Yiyiren, 150g yam, 150g lean meat, appropriate amount of ginger.
Method: Soak the stir-fried Yiyiren in clean water for 30 minutes, blanch the lean meat and set aside, wash and cut the fresh yam into sections, then add the stir-fried Yiyiren, lean meat, yam, and ginger slices to a clay pot with enough clean water, bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat for 40-60 minutes, adding salt to taste.
Effects: Tonifies qi, strengthens the spleen, promotes urination, and removes dampness.
3Yiyiren Red Bean Porridge
Ingredients: 30g stir-fried Yiyiren, 20g red beans, 150g japonica rice.
Method: Cook the stir-fried Yiyiren, red beans, japonica rice, and an appropriate amount of clean water into porridge.
Effects: Promotes urination, removes dampness, and strengthens the spleen.
References
[1] National Pharmacopoeia Commission. Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China: Volume One [M] Beijing: China Medical Science Press, 2020.
[2] Zhou Yu, Wu Menghua, Luo Simin, et al. Research on the Processing History of Yiyiren [J]. China Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2020, 45(11): 2694-2701.
[3] Guangdong Provincial Health Department. Guangdong Province TCM Processing Standards [M]: Guangdong Provincial Health Department, 1984.
[4] Li Xiaokai, Gu Kun, Liang Muwen, et al. Research Progress on Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Effects of Yiyiren [J]. Chinese Herbal Medicine, 2020, 51(21): 5645-5657.
END
Text/Images: Rao Jianhua, Pan Li
Professional Review: Zhu Weixing
※ Some materials are sourced from the internet; if there is any infringement, please contact for removal.
