PinyinCānɡ Zhù AliasChì Zhù (Chi Atractylodes, by Tao Hongjing), Mǎ Jì (by Shuō Wén Xì Zhuàn), Qīng Zhù (by Zhang Gun in Shuǐ Nán Hàn Jì), Xiān Zhù (by Gāng Mù). Source《Zhèng Lèi Běn Cǎo》 OriginIt is the rhizome of the Asteraceae plant, either Nán Cāng Zhù or Běi Cāng Zhù. It can be harvested … Read more
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————– It is said that during the Eastern Han Dynasty, General Ma Yuan fought in Jiaozhi (equivalent to present-day Guangdong, Guangxi, and northern and central Vietnam). Due to the humid and hot climate of the southern mountains, which caused miasma to spread, Ma Yuan and his soldiers often consumed Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed). After … Read more
To prevent losing it next time! Coix seed (Yi Yi Ren) is the dried mature seed of the plant Coix lacryma-jobi, belonging to the Poaceae family. It is highly nutritious and is known as the “King of Gramineous Plants” in the world, while in Europe, it is referred to as the “Grain of Life and … Read more
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Five Elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, corresponding to the five organs: Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lung, and Kidney, and the seasons: Spring, Summer, Late Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Late Summer refers to the period from the Summer Solstice to the End of Heat, during which heat and … Read more
What internal factors lead to dampness in the human body? According to the “Clinical Guidelines for Medical Cases”, it is recorded that “internally generated dampness is often due to excessive consumption of rich foods, alcohol, or excessive drinking of tea, or eating raw and cold fruits and sweet, greasy foods, along with prolonged sitting, which … Read more
A healthy spleen and stomach lead to fewer illnesses; a good spleen and stomach can be nurtured through dietary therapy.Natural products are the best “tonics” for the spleen and stomach. Herbs, vegetables, fruits, and other natural foods, regardless of their value, can all benefit the spleen and stomach. By skillfully using readily available materials in … Read more
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 … Read more
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, … Read more
What comes to mind when you think of Coix seeds? We are more familiar with its alias—Job’s tears. Many people like to use it to eliminate dampness, especially since we live in an era where “nine out of ten people have dampness!” A few years ago, the popular red bean and coix seed water became … Read more
“If Grains Could Speak” “ Popular Science Series on Job’s Tears Job’s Tears (Coix lacryma-jobi), also known as Yi Yi Ren (薏仁), Yi Mi (苡米), and Yi Ren (苡仁), is a commonly consumed food that serves both medicinal and dietary purposes, hailed as the “King of Gramineous Plants”. The origin of Job’s Tears is related … Read more