Chinese barley—also known as coix seed, Job's tears, and Yì yǐ rén (薏苡仁)—is one of the most common food medicines known to act as a diuretic and remove excess fluids in the body ('dampness'). In TCM, it is considered cooling in nature and has nourishing benefits on our spleen, stomach, and lungs.

Benefits:
● Strengthens the spleen and stomach
● Clears heat and promotes urine production
● Drains dampness from the bones, tendons, and muscles, thereby alleviating joint pain
● Relieves dampness-induced ailments such as loss of appetite, indigestion, bloating, loose stools, diarrhea, water retention in the lower limbs, and fatigue
● Relieves painful urination or burning sensation during urination
● Relieves spleen deficiency with profuse dampness syndrome, manifesting as diarrhea and excessive vaginal discharge
● Reduces inflammation and eliminates pus
● Expels damp-heat, thereby reducing the risk of high blood cholesterol, diabetes, gout flares, eczema flares, rheumatoid arthritis, and urinary tract infection
● Aids in skin whitening and reducing skin pigmentation
● Supports healthy weight loss

Recommended for whom:
Suitable for everyone, especially individuals experiencing dampness-induced ailments, or gastrointestinal problems due to spleen weakness. Those who are susceptible to dampness or spleen weakness—for instance, due to frequently eating irregular meals, overeating, consuming excessive cold, raw, greasy, deep-fried, or spicy foods—can also benefit from consuming Chinese barley.

Chinese Barley 薏苡仁

Origin:
Fujian, China

Dosage:
9g to 30g

Storage:
Best kept refrigerated

How to cook barley water:
Rinse the Chinese barley before use. Add 100g of barley and 2-3 pandan leaves (rinse and tied into a knot) into 1.5 litres of water. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer at low heat for an hour. Add brown sugar or rock sugar to taste. Serve it warm. (Serving size: 3 to 4)

Our spleen governs our digestive system, helps to transform food into new Qi (energy) and blood, as well as regulates the transport of fluids in the body. Poor diet and lifestyle such as prolonged stress, overworking, and high or frequent intake of raw, cold, greasy, and spicy foods can weaken our spleen. This in turn impedes fluid distribution and removal of waste from the body, leading to the accumulation of dampness (excess moisture) in the body.

In TCM, dampness is commonly associated with edema (water retention); phlegm in the lungs; loose stools or diarrhea; stomach distension; achy joints and limbs; gout; excess weight gain; fatty deposits build-up in the arteries; eczema flare-up; susceptibility to acne; oily skin; cysts; excessive vaginal discharge; a vaginal yeast infection; sinus infections, etc.

Dampness can also combine with heat and lead to damp-heat syndrome. This can be contributed by an unhealthy diet—such as consuming excessive alcohol, deep-fried, spicy, or greasy foods—or prolonged exposure to the summer heat. Signs of damp-heat include loose stools with blood or mucus; cloudy deep yellow urine; burning sensation during urination; red tongue with thick yellow coating; nausea; heaviness of the body and limbs.

Note:
The information above serves as a general guide only. Please consult a licensed TCM practitioner for a more accurate diagnosis and treatment.