Job’s Tears (Yi Yi Ren)
【Herb Name Explanation】
Job’s Tears, first recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, is classified as a superior herb. It is also known by various names such as jie li (解蠡), hui hui mi (回回米), yi zhu zi (薏珠子), qi shi (芑实), pu ti zhu (菩提珠), jiao nian zhu (胶念珠), zhen zhu mi (珍珠米), chuan gu (川谷), mi ren (米仁), and yi mi (薏米). Its leaves resemble those of the jie li plant and are dispersed, similar to the seedlings of qi shu, hence the names jie li and qi shi. The term hui hui mi refers to it as xi fan shu shou (西番蜀秫), commonly known as cao zhu er (草珠儿). The best medicinal quality is characterized by large, plump, white grains that are intact.
【Properties of the Herb】
Job’s Tears has a sweet and bland flavor, with a cool nature. It is known for its ability to strengthen the spleen and drain dampness, alleviate pain and diarrhea, and clear heat and discharge pus. The primary indications for Job’s Tears include muscle spasms, rheumatic pain, lung abscess, painful urination, and intestinal abscesses. Its core function is to eliminate dampness and dry the spleen and stomach.
The conditions it treats are often heat-related.
The root of Job’s Tears can also be used medicinally. According to the Zhang’s Medical Communication, “If blood-related issues do not respond to other herbs, one can use the juice of Job’s Tears root.”
Mr. Li Kesheng also stated: “The decoction of Job’s Tears root has the effect of expelling roundworms. However, its medicinal power is mild; thus, when used, it should be doubled compared to other herbs, and the synergistic effects of combinations should be emphasized. For example, it can be paired with fu zi (附子) to treat joint pain; with jie geng (桔梗) for toothache; and with bai jian cao (败酱草) to transform pus into fluid.”
Mr. Li Jiren said: “When used raw, Job’s Tears promotes urination and relaxes muscles; when fried, it strengthens the spleen and promotes dampness elimination.” For those with excess damp-heat, it can be combined with tu fu ling (土茯苓), tu niu xi (土牛膝), and wujia pi (五加皮); for those with excess cold-damp, it can be combined with chuan wu (川乌), ma huang (麻黄), gui zhi (桂枝), and xi xin (细辛). In summary, this herb is best at promoting water metabolism without depleting true yin energy, making it particularly suitable for those with excess dampness in the lower body.
There are numerous historical and contemporary references to the use of Job’s Tears for medicinal purposes, such as in the Guang Ji Fang, which uses Job’s Tears rice to treat cold air; the Shi Yi Xin Jing, which uses Job’s Tears porridge to treat chronic rheumatic pain, tonify qi, benefit the stomach, reduce edema, eliminate evil qi from the chest, and treat muscle spasms; the Ben Cao Gang Mu, which uses Job’s Tears porridge to treat thirst and excessive drinking; and the Wai Ke Shuo Yue, which uses Job’s Tears rice internally to treat warts.
Additionally, there are records indicating that Job’s Tears porridge has anti-cancer effects, such as against stomach cancer, intestinal cancer, and cervical cancer. It is contraindicated for those with kidney water deficiency, spleen yin deficiency, qi deficiency with sinking, and during pregnancy.
【Clinical Applications】
(1) Obesity (Phlegm-Damp Stagnation Syndrome)
Spleen Regulating Decoction: Job’s Tears, corn silk each 30g, bai zhu (白术), ban xia (半夏), hou po (厚朴), ji nei jin (鸡内金) each 10g, fu ling (茯苓) 20g, ze xie (泽泻) 12g, gui zhi (桂枝), mu xiang (木香) each 6g, shan zha (山楂) 15g, sha ren (砂仁) 8g. (From National Level Famous Doctor Secret Prescription – Li Zhenhua)
(2) Eczema
Acute Eczema Decoction: Job’s Tears 30g, yin hua (银花), lian qiao (连翘), chi xiao dou (赤小豆), bai xian pi (白鲜皮) each 21g, huang qin (黄芩), cang zhu (苍术), fu ping (浮萍), bai zhi (白芷) each 12g, ku shen (苦参), jing jie (荆芥), fang feng (防风) each 10g, gan cao (甘草) 6g, yin chen (茵陈) 15g. (From National Level Famous Doctor Secret Prescription – Zhao Chunxiu)
(3) Flat Warts
Heat-Clearing and Wind-Expelling Decoction: xia ku cao (夏枯草), di fu zi (地肤子), ku shen (苦参) each 9g, di ding cao (地丁草), Job’s Tears each 15g, bai xian pi (白鲜皮), xuan shen (玄参) each 12g, fang feng (防风) 4.5g, gan cao (甘草) 6g. (From National Level Famous Doctor Secret Prescription – Hu Jianhua)
(4) Pompholyx
Job’s Tears and Bamboo Leaf Decoction: Job’s Tears, fu ling (茯苓), hua shi (滑石) each 15g, zhu ye (竹叶), lian qiao (连翘) each 10g, dou kou (豆蔻), tong cao (通草) each 5g, ground into a fine powder, 15g each time, three times a day. (From Wen Bing Tiao Bian)
(5) Acute Pelvic Inflammation
Job’s Tears and Winter Melon Seed Decoction: Job’s Tears, winter melon seeds each 30g, dan pi (丹皮), tao ren (桃仁) each 15g, decoct in water for consumption. (From Emergency Essentials of Thousand Gold)
