Yì Yǐ Rén (薏苡仁) — Job's Tears seed / Coix seed
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Key formulas
- Modern research
- Cautions and contraindications
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Yì Yǐ Rén (薏苡仁) — Coix lacryma-jobi — is known in English as Job's Tears seed / Coix seed. It belongs to the category of Herbs that drain Dampness in the Chinese Materia Medica and is one of the important herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is used in Chinese herbal medicine as a component of classical herbal formulas and in tailored prescriptions.
I prescribe Yì Yǐ Rén as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan. Herbs are always combined with other herbs selected to match the patient’s individual TCM pattern. Online consultations are available for patients who cannot attend my clinic in person.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Yì Yǐ Rén |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 薏苡仁 |
| Latin name | Coix lacryma-jobi |
| English name | Job's Tears seed / Coix seed |
| Nature | slightly cold |
| Flavour | sweet, bland |
| Channels entered | Spleen, Stomach, Lung |
| Category | Herbs that drain Dampness |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Promotes urination and leaches out Dampness — gentle Damp-resolving action
- Strengthens the Spleen and stops diarrhoea
- Clears Heat and expels pus — important for lung and intestinal abscesses
- Expels Wind-Damp and relieves joint pain
- Anti-cancer properties — one of the most studied Chinese anti-tumour herbs
Indications
- Oedema and difficult urination from Damp accumulation
- PCOS from Spleen deficiency and Phlegm-Damp obstruction
- Diarrhoea and loose stools from Spleen Damp
- Joint pain and swelling from Wind-Damp Bi syndrome
- Lung abscess and intestinal abscess with pus formation
- Skin conditions — warts and rough skin from Damp in the skin
- Adjunct cancer support
4. Key formulas containing Yì Yǐ Rén
Yì Yǐ Rén appears in the following key formulas:
See the full Chinese herbal medicine formula directory for detailed information on all 70 classical formulas.
5. Modern research
Coix lacryma-jobi (Yi Yi Ren) is a widely consumed food-herb with significant anti-cancer research behind it. Key bioactive constituents include coixenolide, coixol, polysaccharides and fatty acids. Coixenolide has documented anti-tumour effects and is approved as a cancer adjunct therapy in China (marketed as Kanglaite injection). Research confirms immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and apoptosis-inducing effects in multiple cancer cell lines. Clinical research supports use as an adjunct in cancer care, and for joint inflammation and skin conditions. As a food (pearl barley is a variety), it is widely consumed for its gentle Damp-resolving properties.
6. Cautions and contraindications
Use with caution during pregnancy in large doses, as it has mild uterine-stimulating effects. Generally very safe as a food-herb. Avoid in dry conditions without Dampness.
Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM). Never self-prescribe or self-administer Chinese herbs without professional guidance. Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto is a member of the RCHM with over 25 years of clinical experience.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Yì Yǐ Rén as part of tailored herbal formulas for a range of conditions including PCOS, Digestive disorders, Rheumatoid arthritis. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment and adjusted throughout treatment as the pattern responds.
I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available throughout the UK and internationally. Visit the prices page for consultation fees.
Return to the Chinese herb directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.
