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Yi Yi Ren薏苡仁

Coicis Semen · Job's Tears Seed · Coix Seed

Herbs that Drain Dampness 利水渗湿药《神农本草经》

Overview

Job's tears — a bland, cooling grain that drains dampness without straining the body, which is why it is eaten as food as readily as it is decocted. It fortifies the Spleen, moves water out through urination, frees damp painful obstruction in the sinews, and clears heat where pus has formed in the Lung or intestines. Dry-fried it loses much of its coolness and suits Spleen deficiency with loose stools; the raw seed is preferred whenever damp-heat or pus is the target.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet, bland · Cool

Channels

Spleen · Stomach · Lung

Typical Dosage

9–30 g in decoction
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Actions

4 core actions

  • Promotes urination, percolates dampnessEdema, scanty urination, damp-warm febrile patterns and damp diarrhea.
  • Fortifies the Spleen, stops diarrheaSpleen-deficient loose stools and poor appetite — the dry-fried form is chosen here.
  • Frees painful obstructionDamp painful obstruction with heavy, aching, cramping limbs and stiff sinews.
  • Clears heat, expels pusLung abscess with purulent sputum, and intestinal abscess with lower right abdominal pain.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Yi Yi Ren

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Edema, scanty urination, damp diarrhea
    - Spleen deficiency with loose stools and poor appetite
    - Heavy, aching, cramping limbs of damp painful obstruction
    - Lung or intestinal abscess with pus

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

EdemaDiarrheaArthritisSkin warts

Contraindications

Cautions

Bland and draining: use cautiously where fluids are already depleted or the stool is dry and hard. It is a food-grade herb, but large amounts taken over long periods are best supervised.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Avoided in pregnancy — it is traditionally held to be slippery and downward-draining, so use it only if the treating practitioner judges it appropriate.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.