Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen
Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen, commonly known as Job's Tears, is a versatile medicinal plant valued in traditional healing. Renowned for its diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties, this grain is frequently used to treat edema, skin conditions, and digestive issues. It serves as a nutritious staple and a powerful therapeutic agent.
- Scientific name: Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen
- Family: Poaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Poales, falling into the family Poaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Coix as the variety Coix lacrymata-jobi var. ma-yuen.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Poales | WCVP |
| Family | Poaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Coix | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Coix lacrymata-jobi var. ma-yuen, is recognized by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Japanese, it is referred to as ハトムギ (hatomugi), while in Korean, it is called 율무 (yulmu). Its names in Chinese-speaking regions are closely related; it is known as 薏米 (yìmǐ) in both Mandarin (zh and zh-cn) and Cantonese (yue).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ja | ハトムギ | Wikidata |
| zh | 薏米 | Wikidata |
| yue | 薏米 | Wikidata |
| ko | 율무 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 薏米 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 薏米 | Wikidata |
| zh | 台湾薏苡 | Wikidata |
| zh | 薏苡仁 | Wikidata |
| zh | 川谷根 | Wikidata |
| zh | 苡米 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across several key regions of East Asia. In China, it can be found throughout the South-Central and Southeast provinces. Its range also extends into the North-Central areas and the Manchuria region of the country. Additionally, the species is documented to grow within the borders of Korea. Together, these locations define its significant presence across the Eastern Asian landscape.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Manchuria | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Korea | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Nansei-shoto | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Coix lacrym_a-jobi var. ma-yuen, possesses a specialized structure where the roots play a fundamental role in its survival and medicinal potential. As a perennial herb, it develops a robust rhizomatous root system that allows the plant to anchor itself firmly in the soil and absorb essential nutrients and moisture. In traditional medicinal practices, these underground parts are often studied for their bioactive compounds, as the roots and rhizomes serve as a vital connection for the plant's energy storage and physiological processes.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include benzoxazinoids.
- Total chemicals
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| benzoxazinoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |