Introduction: Coix seed, also known as Job's tears or Chinese pearl barley, is one of the most nutritious foods among coarse grains and is acclaimed as the "King of Poaceae plants in the world."
According to statistics, every 100 grams of coix seed contains 18.7 grams of protein, 5.4 grams of fat, 65 grams of carbohydrates, 72 milligrams of calcium, 242 milligrams of phosphorus, 1 milligram of iron, 0.41 milligrams of vitamin B1, 0.1 milligrams of vitamin B2, and 2.3 milligrams of vitamin C. Additionally, coix seed also contains various substances such as amino acids, coix seed oil, and coix seed ester.
Modern medical research has found that coix seed has the effects of enhancing human immunity, lowering blood sugar, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-tumor properties, making it very suitable for the elderly, postpartum women, children, or patients suffering from chronic illness and weakness. Coix seed is also a beauty food. Regular consumption of coix seed can remove pimples, freckles, age spots, and chloasma from the human skin, making the skin glossy and delicate. It also has a good therapeutic effect on acne, skin chapping, and desquamation.
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that coix seed is slightly cold in nature and sweet and bland in taste. It can enter the spleen, stomach, and lung meridians, and has the effects of promoting urination to drain dampness, strengthening the spleen to remove arthralgia, and clearing heat to discharge pus. Among these, the effect of promoting urination to drain dampness is the strongest, and it can be used to treat diarrhea, dampness arthralgia, muscle and tendon cramps, limited flexion and extension, edema, beriberi, lung flaccidity, intestinal abscess, strangury, leukorrhea, and other conditions. Below are six dietary remedies made from coix seed:
I. Coix Seed Porridge
Ingredients: 100 grams of coix seed, appropriate amount of japonica rice and sugar. Preparation and Usage: Place the coix seed in a pressure cooker with an appropriate amount of water and simmer for about 20 minutes, then release the pressure. Add japonica rice and an appropriate amount of boiling water to the pot, then simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes. Add sugar to complete. This porridge can be taken once in the morning and once in the evening each day.
Efficacy and Indications: This remedy has the effects of strengthening the spleen to drain dampness and promoting urination to reduce edema. It is suitable for patients with symptoms such as spleen deficiency and diarrhea, senile edema, difficult urination, rheumatic arthralgia, and muscle and tendon cramps.
II. Pig Kidney and Coix Seed Porridge
Ingredients: 1 pair of pig kidneys, 100 grams of Chinese yam, 50 grams of coix seed, 200 grams of japonica rice, and an appropriate amount of seasonings such as MSG, salt, sesame oil, scallions, and ginger.
Preparation and Usage: Wash the pig kidneys, remove the membranes, and chop them. Peel and chop the Chinese yam. Place the chopped pig kidneys, Chinese yam, japonica rice, and coix seed in a pot with an appropriate amount of water. Simmer over low heat until it becomes a porridge. Then add the seasonings to complete. This porridge can be taken once in the morning, once at noon, and once in the evening each day.
Efficacy and Indications: This remedy has the effects of nourishing the kidneys and strengthening the spleen, and nourishing the skin. It is suitable for patients with skin diseases such as pimples, freckles, age spots, and chloasma.
III. Beef Tripe and Coix Seed Porridge
Ingredients: 200 grams of beef tripe, 50 grams of coix seed, and an appropriate amount of seasonings such as MSG, salt, sesame oil, scallions, and ginger.
Preparation and Usage: Wash the beef tripe and cut it into thin shreds. Place the beef tripe shreds and coix seed in a pot with an appropriate amount of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer slowly over low heat until the porridge becomes thick and mushy. Then add seasonings such as MSG, salt, sesame oil, scallions, and ginger to complete. This porridge can be taken once in the morning, once at noon, and once in the evening each day.
Efficacy and Indications: This remedy has the effect of strengthening the spleen and promoting urination. It is especially suitable for patients with symptoms such as abdominal fullness, poor appetite, edema, and limited joint movement.
IV. Pearl and Jade Porridge
Ingredients: 60 grams of coix seed, 60 grams of Chinese yam, and 24 grams of persimmon cake.
Preparation and Usage: Chop the coix seed and Chinese yam, then pound them into a fine powder. Place the coix seed powder and Chinese yam powder in a pot with an appropriate amount of water and simmer until thoroughly cooked. Cut the persimmon cake into small pieces and mix them into the porridge to complete. This porridge can be taken once in the morning, once at noon, and once in the evening each day.
Efficacy and Indications: This remedy has the effects of nourishing yin to moisten dryness and nourishing the lungs to stop coughing. It is suitable for patients with symptoms such as loss of appetite and dry cough due to deficiency-heat.
V. Coix Seed and Red Bean Porridge
1
Ingredients: 50 grams of coix seed, 50 grams of red beans, 10 grams of Alisma orientalis.
Preparation: Decoct Alisma orientalis first to obtain its juice. Use the juice to cook with red beans and coix seed to make a porridge.
Efficacy: Strengthens the spleen to drain dampness, aids in weight loss.
Usage: Can be taken as breakfast, dinner, or a snack.
2
Ingredients: 100 grams of coix seed, 100 grams of red beans.
Preparation: Soak both for one hour, then boil for seven minutes. Discard the water and consume while hot.
Efficacy: Removes dampness from the body, helps to eliminate acne or acne marks on the face.
VI. Prune and Coix Seed Porridge
Ingredients: 10 grams of kernels of dwarf cherry, 30 grams of coix seed, 50 grams of japonica rice.
Preparation and Usage: First, peel the kernels of dwarf cherry and crush them. Place the crushed kernels in a cheesecloth bag. Put the bag in a pot with an appropriate amount of water and simmer for 15-20 minutes, then filter out the liquid and set it aside. Place the coix seed, japonica rice, the decoction from the kernels of dwarf cherry, and an appropriate amount of water in a pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer slowly over low heat until it becomes a porridge. Add an appropriate amount of sugar to complete. This porridge can be taken once in the morning and once in the evening each day.
Efficacy and Indications: This remedy has the effects of strengthening the spleen to drain dampness and moistening the intestines to relieve constipation. It is suitable for patients with symptoms such as edema, abdominal and chest fullness, shortness of breath, difficult urination, and constipation.
It should be noted that coix seed has a significant lubricating property that can promote uterine contractions. Pregnant women who consume coix seed are prone to accidents such as miscarriage, so they should avoid it. Additionally, patients with spermatorrhea or enuresis should also not consume coix seed.