Author
Bowtie Team
Updated on
2025-08-22
Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.
Job’s Tears is packed with nutrients and health benefits, making it a superfood for those with spleen deficiency, dampness, beriberi, edema, or rheumatic joint pain. However, it’s not for everyone! Join our TCM physician as they break down Job’s Tears’ benefits, contraindications, who should eat it, and the best ways to enjoy it, complete with recipe ideas.
What is Job’s Tears?
Job’s tears are also known as Coix seeds. In the market, Job’s tears can be divided into raw Job’s tears and roasted Job’s tears. Raw Job’s tears have a cooling nature and can clear damp-heat; roasted Job’s tears, after stir-frying, have a milder nature and are often used to strengthen the spleen and stop diarrhea. You might also hear the term “barley” sometimes. In fact, Job’s Tears is dehulled barley, also known as naked barley. Although Job’s Tears does not have the effect of clearing heat and removing dampness like Job’s tears, it is rich in fiber, which can promote intestinal peristalsis, and provides vitamin E, plant protein, and minerals.
Benefits of Job’s Tears
Strengthen Spleen, Promote Diuresis
Job’s tears have the effect of strengthening the spleen and promoting diuresis. Consumption can improve urinary discomfort and is very helpful in treating edema, beriberi, and diarrhea caused by spleen deficiency.
Relieve Bi Syndrome
Job’s tears also have a good therapeutic effect on conditions such as dampness obstruction in the joints (Bi syndrome) and muscle contractures. Consuming Job’s tears can help improve blood circulation in the body, thereby alleviating symptoms of muscle weakness.
Clear Heat and Expel Pus
Job’s tears have the effect of clearing heat and expelling pus, with certain efficacy for conditions like lung abscess and intestinal abscess. Consumption can clear internal heat pathogens and help the body expel pus.
Skin Whitening and Moisturizing
Job’s tears are rich in various nutrients such as B vitamins, vitamin E, potassium, and magnesium, thus possessing skin whitening and moisturizing effects. Long-term consumption can improve skin tone, making the skin more radiant and hydrated.
Anti-cancer
Coixol and coix polysaccharides in Job’s tears have a certain effect on inhibiting tumors. These components can inhibit the growth of cancer cells and are helpful in preventing and treating cancer.
Weight Management
Job’s tears are rich in dietary fiber, which can promote intestinal peristalsis and increase satiety, thereby helping to control appetite and achieve weight loss. Additionally, the vitamin B2 in Job’s tears can aid in nutrient absorption and metabolism.
Who Should Eat Job’s Tears?
Individuals with Spleen Deficiency and Dampness
Job’s tears have the effect of strengthening the spleen and promoting diuresis, making them very suitable for individuals with spleen deficiency and dampness. Job’s tears can regulate spleen and stomach functions, enhance digestive capacity, and facilitate the elimination of excess water from the body.
Patients with Beriberi
Beriberi is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine). Job’s tears are rich in vitamin B1 and can help improve this condition.
Individuals with Edema and Swelling
Job’s tears have a good diuretic effect, which can help the body eliminate excess water. For individuals experiencing edema and swelling, consuming Job’s tears is very beneficial.
Patients with Rheumatic Joint Pain (Heat Type)
Job’s tears have the functions of clearing heat, removing dampness, and dispelling wind, which can provide some relief for symptoms of rheumatic joint pain of the heat type.
Job’s Tears Contraindications
For Those with Cold-Deficiency Constitution
For individuals with a cold-deficiency constitution, Job’s Tears may enhance internal coldness, leading to physical discomfort. Therefore, people with a cold-deficiency constitution should avoid consuming Job’s Tears long-term in large quantities.
For Those with Kidney Dysfunction
Job’s Tears has excellent diuretic properties, which is beneficial for people with normal kidney function. However, for individuals with kidney dysfunction, consuming Job’s Tears may increase the burden on the kidneys.
For Those with Habitual Miscarriage
Job’s Tears has the effect of clearing blood circulation and promoting urination, which may have adverse effects on pregnant women. Especially for women with habitual miscarriage, consuming Job’s Tears may increase the risk of miscarriage.
For Those Allergic to Coix Seed
People allergic to coix seed may experience allergic reactions such as itching and redness when consuming Job’s Tears. Therefore, individuals allergic to coix seed should avoid Job’s Tears.
For Diabetics
Although Job’s Tears can help control blood sugar, diabetics need to be mindful of their intake when consuming Job’s Tears to avoid blood sugar fluctuations.
Healthy Job’s Tears Recipes
Spleen-Strengthening and Dampness-Removing Soup
Ingredients
- Codonopsis pilosula (Dang Shen) 20g
- Atractylodes macrocephala (Bai Zhu) 20g
- Poria cocos (Fu Ling) 30g
- Jujube (Black or Red Dates) 5 pcs
- Chinese Yam (Fresh or Dried) 40g
- Lotus Seeds 20g
- White Hyacinth Bean 15g
- Coix Seed (Job’s Tears) 30g
- Adzuki Bean 20g
- Lean Pork / Pork Ribs 500g (Serves 3)
Note: It is recommended to wear gloves when handling fresh Chinese yam to avoid skin irritation.
Instructions
- Wash all ingredients. Pit the dates and blanch the pork.
- Place all ingredients in a pot, add 1.5 liters of cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low heat and simmer for 1.5 hours.
- Skim off any foam and add salt to taste. Turn off the heat.
- Let it sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Benefits
Strengthens the spleen and removes dampness.
Coix Seed and Hyacinth Bean Porridge
Ingredients
- Coix Seed (Job’s Tears) 30g
- Stir-fried White Hyacinth Bean 15g
- Hawthorn 15g
- Brown Sugar to taste
Instructions
- Soak coix seeds for 1 hour. Wash the hyacinth beans and hawthorn.
- Combine all ingredients in a pot and cook into porridge.
- Add brown sugar when the porridge is cooked. Consume once daily for 7 days.
Benefits
Strengthens the spleen, removes dampness, invigorates blood circulation, and unblocks meridians.
Bean and Seed Tea
Ingredients
- Adzuki Bean 30g
- Coix Seed ( Job’s Tears) 30g
Instructions
- Wash the adzuki beans and coix seeds, then soak for 1 hour.
- Place in a pot with 500ml of water and simmer for 2 hours. Drink the liquid as tea.
Benefits
Clears heat, detoxifies, removes dampness, and reduces edema.
Eight Treasure Rice
Ingredients
- Brown Rice 10g
- Purple Rice 10g
- Red Rice 10g
- Dried Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) 6g
- Quinoa 10g
- Maitake Mushroom 30g
- Oats 10g
- Coix Seed ( Job’s Tears) 15g
Cooking Method
- Soak dried tangerine peel until soft, remove the pith, and set aside.
- Soak the maitake mushrooms, tear them into pieces, and set aside.
- Soak brown rice, purple rice, red rice, and coix seeds for 1 hour.
- Place all ingredients into a rice cooker, add an appropriate amount of water, and cook. Serve warm.
Benefits
Strengthens the spleen, boosts qi, cleanses the intestines, detoxifies, beautifies the skin, and moisturizes.
Codonopsis, Astragalus, and Black Chicken Soup
Ingredients
- Codonopsis pilosula (Dang Shen) 15g
- Astragalus propinquus (Huang Qi) 10g
- Poria cocos (Fu Ling) 30g
- Chinese Yam (Huai Shan) 30g
- Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi) 10g
- Coix Seed (Job’s Tears) 30g
- Winter Melon 45g
- Black Chicken 500g
- Ginger 3 slices
- Jujube (pitted) 3 pcs
Instructions
- Wash and soak codonopsis, astragalus, poria cocos, Chinese yam, goji berries, and coix seeds for 30 minutes.
- Prepare the winter melon by removing the seeds.
- Wash the black chicken and remove internal organs. Blanch the chicken.
- Place all ingredients in a pot, add 1 liter of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low heat and simmer for 1 hour.
- Add salt to taste, turn off the heat, and let it steep for half an hour. Serve warm.
Benefits
Strengthens the spleen, boosts qi, clears heat, and removes dampness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the consequences if pregnant women consume Job’s Tears?
Job’s Tears can promote urination and expel water. Generally, small amounts are harmless. However, for pregnant women, excessive consumption can cause the coix seed oil within to stimulate the uterus, leading to contractions, premature birth, or miscarriage. Therefore, consume with caution during pregnancy and consult a doctor first.
How long should Job’s Tears water be boiled? What are its benefits?
Soak for 1 hour, then boil for 1 hour. Drink when at a suitable temperature. It has the effects of clearing heat, strengthening the spleen, and promoting urination and dampness removal.
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