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**Coicis Semen (Job's Tears Seed)**

The flavor is sweet, and the nature is slightly cold. It is non-toxic. It is produced in various regions, but those from Zhending (a commandery name, belonging to North Zhili) are of superior quality. It mostly grows in open fields and marshes. The stem is about three or four chi tall. The leaves resemble those of hanging millet, and the flowers are pale yellow. It bears fruit known as "Yi Zhu" (Job's Tears pearls), which children often string together for play. When used by physicians, the husk is pounded off to obtain the kernel.

It may be decocted with other herbs, (after being stir-fried until cooked and slightly ground.) or mixed with japonica rice to make porridge. (Since Coicis Semen kernels are hard, they must first be boiled until half-cooked before adding japonica rice; only then will the porridge become thick and sticky.) It specifically treats Bi syndrome caused by dampness (joint pain and heaviness due to damp obstruction) and lung abscess (purulent lesions of the lung). It is most effective for tendon spasms and contractures, where flexion and extension are difficult; (this indicates Bi syndrome due to dampness.) It yields excellent results for coughing with purulent sputum and blood; (this indicates lung abscess.) It expels pathogenic factors invading the bones and muscles causing pain, and resolves edema caused by fluid overflowing in the skin. It promotes intestinal and gastric function, and primarily treats thirst and Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst syndrome). Long-term consumption tonifies Qi and lightens the body, while excessive consumption opens the appetite and promotes food intake. However, its medicinal action is mild and slow; therefore, when used, the dosage must be doubled compared to other herbs. If the root is dug up and decocted into juice, it can expel roundworms and induce abortion. For patients with lung abscess, taking Coicis Semen also achieves miraculous effects.

Annotation by Chen Jiamo: *Yanyi* states that regarding the claim in *Ben Jing* that it treats tendon spasms and contractures, one must distinguish between two conditions. If the large tendons shorten and become rigid without extending, this is a spasm caused by heat, so it can be used here; however, if the tendon rigidity is caused by cold, it should not be used. It further states that dampness can also cause tendon laxity. Furthermore, Zhu Danxi stated: Cold causes tendon tension (ji), heat causes tendon shortening (suo). Tension arises from stiffness, shortening arises from brevity. Dampness causes relaxation (chi), which arises from elongation. Nevertheless, cold often harbors heat, and these three conditions (cold, heat, dampness) all originate from dampness. Coicis Semen is a crucial herb for removing dampness. The views of these two schools differ significantly. Based on *Yanyi*, tendon diseases caused by heat can be treated with it, but those caused by cold cannot. Based on Zhu Danxi’s view, tendon diseases caused by cold, heat, or dampness can all be treated with it. Generally, cold lingering for a long time transforms into heat. Moreover, external cold-dampness and heat are all initiated by internal dampness to form disease. (Internal dampness is mostly caused by alcohol and flour-based foods, followed by meat and fish. Sweet, slippery, aged roasted foods, pungent-aromatic foods, and dry-hard foods are all causes of dampness and should be avoided.) Thus, saying that these three [conditions] do not originate from dampness is like showing the sun and moon to the blind or thunder to the deaf.