Pearl Barley Whole (Coix Lacryma-Jobi Var. Ma-Yuen)

Pearl Barley Whole (Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen), known in Traditional Chinese Medicine as Yi Yi Ren (薏苡仁), is the polished, edible seed of a grain-bearing plant closely related to true barley but botanically distinct. Valued for its mild, sweet flavor and soft texture when cooked, Yi Yi Ren is both a functional food and a gentle medicinal herb used to drain dampness, strengthen the spleen, support joint health, and clear heat.

Yi Yi Ren is often included in traditional herbal formulas and dietary therapy to help address symptoms such as water retention, diarrhea, joint swelling, and cloudy urination, particularly when caused by damp accumulation in the lower body. It is also used for supporting digestion and tonifying the spleen, making it useful in chronic fatigue, poor appetite, or loose stool due to deficiency.

In addition to its digestive and diuretic benefits, Pearl Barley is known to help relax muscles and tendons, and is often used in formulas for bi syndrome involving painful or stiff joints. It also offers a mild heat-clearing effect and is sometimes used to reduce mild skin inflammation or support long-term wellness in chronic damp-heat conditions.

When cooked or simmered, Pearl Barley Whole produces a creamy, slightly nutty broth or porridge, and can be used in soups, stews, or herbal teas. It pairs well with herbs like Fu Ling (Poria), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes), or Ze Xie (Alisma) in spleen- and dampness-supporting formulas.

Each batch of Pearl Barley Whole (Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen) is carefully selected and cleaned to preserve its nutritional content and herbal integrity. Whether used in medicinal congee, decoctions, or functional food recipes, Yi Yi Ren offers a nourishing, time-honored approach to clearing damp, easing digestion, and promoting balance from the inside out.