The source is from the dried mature seed of Coix lacrymajobi L. var. mayuan (Roman) stapf, family Gramineae. The medicinal material is mainly produced in the areas of Fujian, Hebei, and Liaoning, etc., collected in autumn when the fruits are ripe, shelled, dried in the sun and then peeled. The raw or the stir-baked one can be used.

Medicinal Properties: Sweet and bland in flavor, slightly cold in nature and attributive to the spleen, stomach and lung meridians.

Actions: Promote diuresis to resolve dampness and invigorate the spleen, treat Bi-syndrome and clear away heat to drain the pus.

Application
1. It is used for spleen-deficiency syndrome with accumulation of dampness manifested as dysuria, edema, beriberi or diarrhea due to spleen-deficiency. For edema, it is usually combined with Fuling (Poria), Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), and Huangqi (Radix Astragali), etc.; for spleen deficiency with loss of appetite and diarrhea, it is usually used together with Dangshen (Radix Codonopsis) and Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae ).
2. For Bi-syndrome with dominant dampness manifested as bodily heaviness and soreness and rigidity of limbs, it is used together with Mugua (Fructus Chaenomelis) every time; for that with dominant heat, it is combined with Dilong (Lumbricus), Fangji (Radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae); for that with dominant cold, combined with Mahuang (Herba Epheclrae) and Guizhi (Ramulus Cinnarnorni); for that with heavy dampness, combined with Cangzhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis).
3. It is used for pulmonary and intestinal abscess. For pulmonary abscess with cough and thick sputum, it is usually combined with Lugen ( Rhizoma Phragmitis ), Dongguaren ( Semen Benincasae), and Taoren ( Semen Persicae), etc., such as Weijing Tang (Decoction) ; for intestinal abscess, used together with Baijiangcao (Herba Patriniae ) , Mudanpi ( Cortex Moutan Radicis ), and Taoren ( Semen Persicae), etc..

Usage and Dosage:
10 - 30 g is used in decoction for oral use. The stir-baked one is used for invigorating the spleen to stop diarrhea and the raw for other syndromes

Notes:
The medicinal herb is moderate in action, so the dosage should be large. It can be made gruel to be taken and is a good food as dietary therapy besides adding it to decoction, pill and powder.