Our staple foods are primarily rice and wheat. But did you know rice itself comes in many varieties? Today, let's explore one type of rice. Curious readers, follow along to discover what kind it is!
Benefits and Functions of Job's Tears Rice
Overview of Job's Tears Rice
It's no exaggeration to call Job's Tears the premier grain. Rich in nutrition and medicinal value, it has been documented extensively in ancient Chinese texts.
Legend has it that Job's tears originated in China and Southeast Asia. As early as 754 AD, it was included in the imperial court's diet. According to the "Book of the Later Han: Biography of Ma Yuan," General Ma Yuan, who rose to the rank of General of Suppressing Waves during the Eastern Han Dynasty, frequently consumed Job's tears while campaigning in Jiaozhi. The humid, steamy forests of the southern mountains were rife with miasma.
He frequently consumed coix seeds, which not only lightened his body and reduced his desires but also enabled him to overcome malaria-inducing vapors, leading to repeated military victories.
Benefits of Coix Seeds
1. Raw coix seeds boiled in soup help dispel dampness and wind. For strengthening the spleen, benefiting the stomach, and treating spleen deficiency diarrhea, they must be stir-fried before consumption.
2. As a staple food, coix seed can be cooked into porridge or soups. Simmered with winter melon in summer and autumn, it serves as a meal accompaniment while clearing summer heat and draining dampness.
3. Boil fresh milk, add an appropriate amount of coix seed powder, stir thoroughly, and consume. Regular intake maintains radiant, smooth skin while reducing acne, freckles, age spots, pregnancy marks, and melasma.
4. Job's tears are difficult to cook thoroughly. Soak them in warm water for 2-3 hours before cooking to allow full water absorption. Once hydrated, they cook easily alongside other grains.
Functions of Job's Tears
1. Promotes diuresis and reduces swelling, strengthens the spleen and removes dampness, relaxes tendons and alleviates stiffness, clears heat and expels pus. It is a commonly used diuretic and dampness-eliminating herb.
2. For hair: It nourishes hair, prevents hair loss, and promotes smooth, soft hair.
3. For skin: It smooths skin, reduces wrinkles, and fades pigmentation spots. It shows significant efficacy against facial acne and rough skin. Additionally, it absorbs ultraviolet rays, and its extracts added to cosmetics can provide sun protection and UV defense.
4. Furthermore, as a grain, coix seed is more easily absorbed by the digestive system when boiled until soft or stir-fried. Individuals experiencing chronic fatigue or weakness may benefit from increased consumption. Rich in proteolytic enzymes, it softens skin keratin, offering long-term therapeutic effects for skin tags and rough, uneven texture.