Wiseman’s Chinese Medical Database

yì yǐ gēn / 薏苡根 / 薏苡根 / coix root;

Latin pharmacognostic name: Coicis Radix

Alternate English names: Job's tears root

Alternate Chinese names:

Origin: Plant

Use: medicinal

Category: Water-disinhibiting dampness-percolating agents / Water-disinhibiting swelling-dispersing agents

Properties: Bitter and sweet; cold; nontoxic*.

Channel entry: spleen and bladder channels.*

Indications:

• Clears heat and disinhibits dampness: Heat strangury; blood strangury; water swelling; pulmonary welling-abscess (fèi yōng).
• Kills worms: Worm accumulation with abdominal pain.

  Dosage & Method:

  Oral: 10–15g; 30–60g if using the fresh product.

  Warning:

  Contraindicated in pregnancy.

  Product Area:

  Most parts of China, and notably Fújiàn, Héběi, and Liáoníng.

  See also:

  yì yǐ rén (薏苡仁 Coicis Semen, coix [seed];)