Job's tears

Nutritional Value

5 / 5

Organ Affinities

Tonifies

Therapeutic Properties

AHM Properties

Job's Tears (Yi Yi Ren) is a principal dampness-draining food in AHM, strengthening Spleen Qi and resolving Dampness to address diarrhea from Spleen Deficiency, leg Qi, painful urinary dribbling, and Damp-Warmth at both root and manifestation levels. It expels Wind-Dampness to relieve joint pain, muscle stiffness, severe arthralgia, and joint immobility in chronic Bi patterns, and clears Heat and expels pus for soft pustulated carbuncles and Lung and Intestinal abscess. It also addresses any Damp-Heat condition at any level presenting with digestive involvement and a greasy white tongue coat. When roasted, Yi Yi Ren shifts emphasis toward tonifying the Spleen without the draining action.

Job's Tears is a nutrient-dense grain offering high-quality protein with all essential amino acids, moderate complex carbohydrate energy, and dietary fiber. It provides B vitamins, vitamin E, and key minerals including iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium, alongside bioactive compounds — notably coixenolide and coixol — with documented anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. Its versatility as a functional food makes it suitable as a rice substitute, in porridge, beverages, or flour-based preparations.