The Nutritional and Medicinal Value of Coix Seed (Yi Ren)

◎ Xi Huang Nutrition and Pharmacology · Coix Seed◎

Coix Seed (Yi Ren)

1. Introduction

1. Other Names: Jie Li, Qi Ying, Gan Mi, Gan Mi, Yi Zhu Zi, Hui Hui Mi, Cao Zhu Er, Gan Zhu, Yi Mi, Mi Ren, Yi Ren, Yu Ma, Liu Gu Mi, Zhu Zhu Mi, Yao Yu Mi, Shui Yu Mi, Gou Zi Mi, Yu Mi, Yi Mi.

2. Origin: Distributed in most regions of China.

3. Product: Used as both food and medicine. The seeds of the plant Coix lacryma-jobi.

2. Nutritional Value

The edible part of Coix Seed contains: Energy 1494 kJ, Protein 12.8 g, Fat 3.3 g, Carbohydrates 71.1 g, Dietary Fiber 2 g, Moisture 11.2 g, Ash 1.6 g. B₁ 0.22 mg, B₂ 0.15 mg, B₆ 2 mg, E 2.08 mg, Calcium 42 mg, Phosphorus 217 mg, Potassium 238 mg, Sodium 3.6 mg, Magnesium 88 mg, Iron 3.6 mg, Zinc 1.68 mg, Selenium 3.07 mg, Copper 0.29 mg, Manganese 1.37 mg.

3. Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine

1. Properties: Sweet, bland; slightly cold.

2. Meridians: Spleen Meridian, Lung Meridian, Kidney Meridian.

3. Functions: Promotes diuresis and strengthens the spleen, relaxes tendons and alleviates pain, clears heat and expels pus.

4. Indications: Primarily for edema, beriberi, dysuria, damp plague, diarrhea, leukorrhea, rheumatic pain, muscle spasms, lung abscess, intestinal abscess, flat warts.

4. Organ Pharmacology

1. Reproductive System: Ovulation induction effect: Patients with persistent anovulation taking formulas with Coix Seed as the main ingredient can significantly improve hypothalamic function. Extracts of Coix Seed also induce ovulation in golden hamsters, with the active substances being ferulic acid and ferulic acid sterol.

2. Chest System: Anti-complement activity. Anti-tumor effect: Causes protoplasmic degeneration of cancer cells, halting mitosis at metaphase, promoting keratinization of cancer cells. It has a life-extending effect on patients with advanced cancer.

3. Cardiovascular System: Blood pressure effect; intravenous injection of coixol can cause a temporary decrease in blood pressure in rabbits.

4. Pancreatic System: Inhibitory effect on trypsin: A heat-stable trypsin inhibitor has been found in the bran of soft-shelled Coix seeds. It lowers blood sugar and blood calcium levels.

5. Efficacy Analysis

Promotes diuresis and strengthens the spleen: Acts on the chest and pancreatic systems.

Relaxes tendons and alleviates pain: Acts on the chest system.

Clears heat and expels pus: Acts on the chest system.

6. Organ Analysis

Internal dampness primarily belongs to the pancreatic and lung systems, but it also requires the movement of Qi for metabolism. The efficacy of Coix Seed lies in its ability to promote diuresis through the chest system.

7. Dosage and Administration

Internal use: Decoction, 10-30 g; or in pills, powders, soaked in wine, cooked in porridge, or made into soup.

8. Precautions

This product is mild and should be taken in larger quantities over a longer period. Caution is advised for those with spleen deficiency without dampness, constipation, and pregnant women.

9. Historical Materia Medica

1. “Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic”: Bitter, slightly cold. Indicated for muscle spasms, inability to bend or stretch, rheumatic pain, and to relieve Qi.

2. “Record of Famous Physicians”: Non-toxic. Indicated for removing evil Qi from muscles and bones, benefiting the stomach and intestines, reducing edema, and promoting appetite.

3. “Supplement to Materia Medica”: Indicated for hunger, warming Qi, and lightening the body. Drinking the decoction is indicated for thirst, expelling roundworms, and the root is used for abortion.

4. “Illustrated Materia Medica”: Coix Seed is a medicine for the heart and lungs. Therefore, Fan Wang treats lung abscess, and Zhong Jing treats rheumatism and chest obstruction, with methods. “Jisheng Fang” treats lung damage and hemoptysis by cutting cooked pig lung, dipping it in Coix Seed powder, and eating it on an empty stomach. Coix Seed nourishes the lungs, and pig lung guides it to the meridians. Zhao Junyou said it is effective when used repeatedly.

5. “Extended Meaning of Materia Medica”: “The Classic” states: slightly cold, indicated for muscle spasms. There are two types of spasms; in the annotations of “Suwen”, if the large muscle is heated, it contracts and shortens, causing spasms that cannot stretch. This is due to heat causing spasms, hence Coix Seed can be used. If “Suwen” states that spasms are due to cold, this should not be used. When used, it must be doubled compared to other medicines. This substance is mild and should be used in double doses to see effects. Cold can cause muscle spasms; heat causes muscle cramps. If only heat is present without prior cold, it can also relax muscles. If dampness is present, it leads to weakness.

6. “Compendium of Materia Medica”: Coix Seed belongs to the earth, a Yangming medicine, thus it can strengthen the spleen and benefit the stomach. If deficient, it supplements its mother, hence it is used for lung atrophy and lung abscess. For diseases of muscles and bones, it is based on treating Yangming, hence it is used for muscle spasms, rheumatic pain. Earth can overcome water and eliminate dampness, hence it is used for diarrhea and edema. The ancient formula “Xiao Xu Ming Decoction” states: for stroke with muscle spasms, slow speech, and wiry pulse, add Coix Seed, which also supports the spleen and suppresses the liver. Zhang Shizheng’s “Tired Traveler’s Record” states: Xin Jiaxuan suddenly suffered from a hernia, hanging down like a cup. A Taoist taught him to use Coix Seed fried with yellow earth, boiled into a paste, and after several doses, it disappeared. Slightly sandy, this was also effective. “Materia Medica” states that Coix Seed is a top-grade heart-nourishing medicine, hence it has this effect.

Coix Seed

（Song Dynasty · Su Shi）

Fubo rice and Coix Seed, a remedy against miasma.

Can eliminate the poison of the five streams, not saving from slanderous words.

Slanderous words pass like wind and rain, miasma also eventually fades.

Both are insufficient to treat, but love the growth of plants.

Plants each have their suitability, precious products from the southern wilderness.

Crimson pouch hanging with lychee, snow powder splitting the sago palm.

Not to say the appearance of the wild rice, within it are medicine and grain.

Ground into round pearls, cooked into fragrant rice.

Zi Mei picks acorns and chestnuts, Huang Jing deceives the empty intestines.

Now I alone have what, jade grains shining with light.

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