Coix

Coix lachryma-jobi

Coicis Coix Hatomugi Job's Tears Uses Considerations

Coix is an east Asian grain that bears six to fifteen seed heads, similar to wheat's single seed head, on alternating sides of a single stalk. Grown throughout China as a food crop, coix is harvested at the end of autumn when its seeds have ripened. Quality coix seed is full, large, round, and white.

USES

Coix is a rich source of essential fatty acids that relieve inflammation and has some antiviral effects.

Benefits of coix for specific health conditions include the following:

• Mastitis. Coix draws fluids away from skin, which reduces pain and swelling. It also increases lactation.
• Nails, infected. Japanese studies have found that coix stops viral infections, such as those that cause warts under the nails, by stimulating the immune system to destroy infected cells. A study of seven healthy volunteers who took two capsules of coix three times a day for four weeks found that the herb stimulated production of T-helper cells, immune cells that stimulate other immune cells to attack the virus.

CONSIDERATIONS

Coix, a food as well as an herb, can be taken on a long-term basis. Coix cereal is available in Japanese groceries as hatomugi. Since coix promotes urination, it should be used with caution during pregnancy and by people who have urinary incontinence.