Coix Seed from Chengnan Township

Coix Seed from Chengnan Township

　　Coix seed is the kernel of the plant Coix lacryma-jobi, which belongs to the grass family. Coix lacryma-jobi is a perennial plant with upright stems and lanceolate leaves. Coix seed Coix seed

　　Its seeds are oval-shaped, white or grayish-white. Coix seed is highly nutritious and is hailed as the “King of Grass Family Plants in the World.” In Europe, it is known as the “Friend of Life and Health.” Coix seed is mostly grown in mountainous areas, with the Wuyi Mountain region having a long history of cultivation. In ancient times, coix seed was regarded as a natural delicacy used in rituals, while modern people view it as a nutrient-rich summer refreshment that can be both consumed and used medicinally.

　　It is an annual herbaceous plant. The stalk grows 1–1.5 meters tall, has 6–10 nodes, and is much branched. The leaves are broad, spreading, and hairless. The raceme is axillary, with the male raceme located above the female raceme, bearing 5–6 pairs of male spikelets. The female spikelets are located at the lower part of the raceme and are enclosed by a chitinous hull; the hull is oval, with a beak-like neck at the tip and an oblique opening. The base is slightly constricted, measuring 8–12 mm in length and 4–7 mm in width, with longitudinal straight striations. The texture is relatively thin and can be broken by rubbing or finger pressure. It is dark brown or light brown in color. The caryopsis is large, oblong, 5–8 mm long, 4–6 mm wide, and 3–4 mm thick, with a wide groove on the ventral side and a brown hilum at the base. The texture is starchy, firm, and white or yellowish-white. The male spikelet is about 9 mm long and 5 mm wide; it contains three stamens, with anthers 3–4 mm long. Chromosome count 2n=20 (Lin et al., 1985; Wang Z. X. et al. 1984). Flowering and fruiting occur from July to December.

　　Coix seed is highly nutritious and is hailed as the “King of Grass Family Plants in the World.” It can be eaten as a grain, with a taste similar to rice and easy to digest and absorb. It can be used in porridge or soup. Cooking it with winter melon in summer and autumn not only makes a tasty dish but also helps clear heat and eliminate dampness. Due to its rich nutrition, it is a good medicinal food for those who are chronically ill, recovering from sickness, elderly, postpartum women, or children, and can be taken regularly. Whether used for nourishment or treatment, its effects are mild—slightly cool without harming the stomach, and beneficial to the spleen without being greasy. It is reported that the therapeutic component in coix seed, coixol, not only has nourishing effects but also acts as an anticancer agent, inhibiting Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells, and can be used for gastric cancer and cervical cancer. The coix alcohol found in the roots of coix seed, in addition to having the effects of coixol, also helps lower blood pressure, promote urination, reduce fever, and expel roundworms. It is suitable for high blood pressure, urinary tract stones, urinary tract infections, and roundworm disease. The leaves of coix seed can be decocted into tea, which has a fragrant taste and can promote urination. The usual dosage of coix seed is 20–30 grams, and for severe cases, the dose can be increased to 60 grams.