Health Benefits of Coix Seed and Ways to Enjoy It

Coix seed, or Job’s tears, is popular in traditional Chinese medicine. Learn about its many health benefits and how to incorporate it into your diet.
Health Benefits of Coix Seed and Ways to Enjoy It
nafterphoto/Shutterstock
|Updated:

Coix seed, also known as Job’s tears, or Chinese pearl barley, is widely used both in food and in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is rich in protein, polysaccharides, unsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber, vitamins, and essential minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron, making it a highly nutritious addition to the diet.

Coix seed also offers significant medicinal value. It has been shown to aid in cancer prevention, alleviate muscle tension, and reduce joint inflammation, as well as regulate blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. It also helps prevent gout, supports skin whitening, and combats skin aging.
Naiwen Hu
Naiwen Hu
Naiwen Hu is a Traditional Chinese Medicine physician at Shanghai Tong Te Tang in Taipei and a former Stanford Research Institute scientist. Hu has treated more than 140,000 patients, taught at an American university, and hosts a popular YouTube health program with 900,000 subscribers, as well as international wellness roadshows.