Coix Seed (Yì Yǐ Rén)
Pinyin Yì Yǐ Rén
Aliases Jiě Lì (解蠡), Qǐ Shí (起实), Gàn Mǐ (赣米), Gǎn Mǐ (感米), Yì Zhū Zi (薏珠子), Huí Huí Mǐ (回回米), Cǎo Zhū Er (草珠儿), Gàn Zhū (赣珠), Yì Mǐ (薏米), Mǐ Rén (米仁), Yì Rén (薏仁), Yǐ Rén (苡仁), Yù Mǐ (玉米), Liù Gǔ Mǐ (六谷米), Zhū Zhū Mǐ (珠珠米), Jiāo Niàn Zhū (胶念珠), Niào Táng Zhū (尿塘珠), Lǎo Yā Zhū (老鸦珠), Pú Tí Zhū (菩提珠), Yào Yù Mǐ (药玉米), Shuǐ Yù Mǐ (水玉米), Gōu Zi Mǐ (沟子米)
Source From the seeds of the plant Coix lacryma-jobi.
Harvesting The whole plant is harvested in autumn when the fruit is mature, dried, and the seeds are collected after removing the outer shell and impurities.
Plant Description Coix (薏苡) is an annual or perennial herb, growing 1-1.5 meters tall with a thick root system. The stems are erect with about 10 nodes. The leaves are linear-lanceolate, up to 30 cm long and 1.5-3 cm wide, with rough edges. The inflorescence is a raceme, with female spikelets located at the lower part of the flower cluster.
Habitat Commonly found near houses, in wastelands, riverbanks, or damp valleys. It is cultivated in most regions of China, particularly in Fujian, Hebei, and Liaoning.
Characteristics The dried seeds are round or oval, measuring 5-7 mm in length and 3-5 mm in width, with a white or yellowish-white surface. They are hard and have a slightly sweet taste.
Chemical Composition The seeds contain 16.2% protein, 4.65% fat, 79.17% carbohydrates, and small amounts of vitamin B1.
Pharmacological Effects 1. Coix Seed Oil has been shown to have excitatory effects on frog skeletal muscle at low concentrations and paralyzing effects at high concentrations. It can reduce muscle contractions and fatigue. 2. Coixan has inhibitory effects on skeletal muscle contractions and shows sedative properties in animal studies.
Preparation The seeds can be stir-fried until slightly yellow for use. 3. Properties Sweet, bland, and slightly cool.
Meridians Enters the Spleen, Lung, and Kidney meridians.
Functions and Indications Strengthens the Spleen, clears heat, promotes urination, and alleviates dampness. Used for diarrhea, edema, and various lung and intestinal conditions.
Dosage Typically taken as a decoction, 10-30 grams; can also be used in pills or powders.
Precautions Caution is advised for those with Spleen deficiency and pregnant women.
Clinical Applications Used in the treatment of various conditions including flat warts and rheumatism.
References Chinese Herbal Medicine: A Comprehensive Guide