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Coix Seed (Yi Yi Ren)

Sweet in flavor, slightly cold in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats muscle spasms and cramps with inability to flex or extend joints, wind-damp bi-syndrome, directs qi downward, eliminates pathogenic factors from the bones and sinews causing numbness and lack of sensation, promotes intestinal and stomach function, reduces edema and fluid retention, and improves appetite. Long-term consumption lightens the body and tonifies qi. Its root expels three types of parasites from the lower jiao. Also known as Jie Li, Wu Tan, Qi Shi, and Gan. It grows in Pingze of Zhending and in fields. The fruits are harvested in August, while roots can be harvested at any time.

Tao Hongjing states: Zhending County belongs to Changshan Commandery; it is found everywhere near roads, often growing near residences. Coix seeds from Jiaozhou are the largest, locally called Gan Zhu. Ma Yuan collected large quantities to bring back, and slanderers claimed they were real pearls. Fruits that are layered and heavy are considered superior. For use, only the inner kernel is taken. Currently, for children suffering from ascariasis, the root is boiled into a juice and mixed with porridge for consumption. It has a very fragrant taste and is highly effective in expelling roundworms. I have consulted Chen Cangqi's Materia Medica, which records: Harvest coix seeds, steam them until vapor penetrates, dry them in the sun, grind off the husk to obtain the kernel, and cook it as rice or flour. It treats abnormal hunger, warms the middle qi, and lightens the body. Boiled juice treats thirst syndrome. Another annotated version notes: Currently, those from Lianghan are mostly used, but their efficacy is inferior to those from Zhending; select those with a greenish-water color for best quality. Ministers Yu Xi et al., according to *Materia Medica Properties*, state: It can treat heat-wind causing muscle spasms and cramps, and can stimulate appetite. It treats lung萎 (lung atrophy/flaccidity), lung qi rebellion, coughing up pus and blood, cough with phlegm/saliva, and rebellious qi. In the past, Ma Yuan decocted and took it to break toxic swellings in the Wuxi region. Seeds planted there yield kernels steamed in a steamer basket, dried in the sun, and rubbed to extract the kernel. Meng Shen states: Nature is neutral; it effectively removes damp-hot and dry-hot podagra (gout).

*Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica* states: Coix seed grows in Pingze of Zhending and in fields, and is now available everywhere. Sprouts emerge in spring, stems are three to four chi high. Leaves resemble millet leaves. Red and white flowers bloom in spikes. Fruits set in May and June, greenish-white, shaped like beads but slightly longer, hence called "Yi Zhu" (Coix Bead). Children often string them on threads like beads for play. Fruits are harvested in August, roots at any time. Nowadays, people generally harvest in September and October, using the inner kernel. Ancient formulas mostly use it for heart and lung prescriptions. Wei Dan treated lung abscess with rough skin on the chest and heart area by boiling coix seed in pure vinegar until thick, taking it warm in one dose. Blood in the lungs should be expectorated for recovery. *Guangji Fang*: To treat cold qi, method for coix seed rice porridge: Finely pound the kernel, make into rice; the aroma should resemble wheat rice. Making porridge is also good, consumed freely without taboos. For root usage, Ge Hong treated sudden epigastric and abdominal fullness and pain, as well as chest and hypochondriac pain, by chopping the root, decocting strongly, and taking three sheng of juice to settle symptoms. Nowadays, people mostly drink leaf infusion; its fragrance clears the diaphragm, surpassing mixtures with other herbs. Zhang Zhongjing treated wind-damp body pain worsening at dusk with Mahuang Xingren Yiyiren Tang: Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang) 3 liang, Armeniacae Semen Amarum (Xingren) 30 pieces, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao) and Coicis Semen (Yiyiren) each 1 liang. Four ingredients with 4 sheng of water, decoct to 2 sheng, divide into two warm doses. Also treated chest bi with unilateral flaccidity or spasticity with Yiyiren Fuzi San: Coicis Semen (Yiyiren) 15 liang, Prepared Aconiti Lateralis Radix (Da Fuzi) 10 pieces (processed), pounded into powder, take 1 fangcun bi per dose, three times daily.

Chen Cangqi additionally treats thirst syndrome and kills roundworms. Root decoction causes abortion. Lei Gong says: When using, do not use [unclear character] rice, which has large grains and no taste; this rice is what people call Jing Mi (Japonica Rice). If it is Coix seed, the grains are small and green, sweet in taste, and sticky to teeth when chewed. For one liang of use, stir-fry with two liang of glutinous rice until the glutinous rice is cooked, remove the glutinous rice and use the coix seed. Alternatively, boiling with salt water is another special processing method. *Waitai Miyao*: Treats wind-pain in teeth. Coix root 4 liang, water 4 sheng, decoct to 2 sheng, hold in mouth and change when cool, promoting gum regeneration. Another formula: Sudden throat carbuncle/swelling, swallow two coix seeds. Another formula: Roundworm attacking heart/abdominal pain. Coix root 2 jin chopped, water 7 sheng, decoct to 3 sheng. Take all before meals; worms die and pass out. Mei Shi Fang: Lung disease with pus/blood sputum, take 10 liang coix seed crushed, decoct with 3 sheng water to 1 sheng, add a little wine and take. *Shiyi Xinjing*: Treats muscle/tendon spasms, chronic wind-damp bi, directs qi, eliminates pathogenic factors in bones, promotes digestion, reduces edema, long-term use lightens body and tonifies qi. Coix seed 1 sheng, pounded into powder. Each dose: boil 2 spoons of powder in 2 sheng water to make porridge, eat on an empty stomach. Later Han *Biography of Ma Yuan*: Ma Yuan was in Jiaozhou, frequently consuming coix fruit, thereby achieving a light body and reduced desires to overcome miasma qi. Southern coix fruit, Ma Yuan wanted to use as seeds, loaded a cart upon army return.

*Yanyi* states: Coix, as mentioned in Li Shangyin's *Taicang Inscription* regarding "coix resembling pearls," implies a caution against suspicion. Use the kernel. *Shennong Ben Cao Jing* states: Slightly cold, treats muscle spasms and cramps. There are two types of cramps. Annotations in *Suwen* state: Large tendons受热 (heat-stagnation) shrink and shorten, causing spasms and inability to extend. This is heat-induced cramping, so coix seed can be used. If *Suwen* mentions cold-induced tendon stiffness, coix seed should not be used. Generally, dosage must be double that of other herbs because its action is mild; doubling the dose yields results. Cold causes tendon stiffness. Heat causes tendon spasms. Pure heat without cold causes tendon laxity. Dampness causes elongated weakness.