2Yi Yi Ren-Job's tears seed-Coix lacryma-jobi

Yi Yi Ren, commonly known as Coix seed or Job’s Tears, is a mild and nourishing herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) used to drain dampness, strengthen the Spleen, clear heat, and eliminate abscesses. It is both a food and a medicine, often included in soups, porridges, and decoctions. Its gentle nature makes it suitable for long-term use in conditions involving edema, diarrhea, joint pain, and chronic damp-heat disorders.

Functions & Benefits

Promotes Urination and Drains Dampness
Effective for edema, difficult urination, and damp accumulation, especially in the lower body.

Strengthens the Spleen and Aids Digestion
Used for poor appetite, diarrhea, and fatigue due to Spleen Qi deficiency with dampness.

Expels Wind-Damp and Relieves Joint Pain
Helpful for arthritic or rheumatic pain, especially when joints are heavy, swollen, or painful.

Clears Heat and Expels Pus
Promotes healing of lung abscesses, intestinal abscesses, and sores by draining damp-heat and resolving toxicity.

Indications
People with edema, urinary difficulty, or swelling caused by dampness
Individuals experiencing loose stools, poor appetite, or digestive sluggishness
Patients with chronic joint pain or stiffness due to Wind-Damp
Those with skin or organ abscesses caused by damp-heat

Tongue & Pulse Diagnosis in TCM
Tongue: Pale or normal with white or greasy coating (indicating dampness)
Pulse: Moderate or slippery (suggesting damp retention or digestive weakness)

Common TCM Patterns Treated by Yi Yi Ren

• Damp Accumulation in the Lower Jiao – Edema, scanty urination, heaviness

• Spleen Qi Deficiency with Dampness – Fatigue, diarrhea, bloating

• Wind-Damp Bi Syndrome – Joint swelling, pain, limited mobility

• Damp-Heat Sores or Abscesses – Lung abscess, skin infections

Precautions & Contraindications
Use cautiously in individuals with dryness or Yin deficiency, as Yi Yi Ren has a mild drying effect
Not suitable for frequent urination from deficiency cold
Avoid overuse in pregnancy, especially in large doses

Conclusion
Yi Yi Ren is a mild, food-grade herb in TCM used to resolve dampness, support digestion, relieve pain, and clear heat-related toxicity. Its gentle and nourishing action makes it a key ingredient in formulas for digestive weakness, edema, joint disorders, and abscesses, offering both therapeutic and dietary versatility.