Coix seeds are what we often refer to as Job’s tears. When it comes to coix seeds, everyone is quite familiar. Especially during the summer, the concept of "coix seeds for dampness removal" has become deeply ingrained. In China, households prepare a pot of red bean and coix seed soup or a hearty bowl of mixed grain congee with coix seeds…

 

 

1. The benefits of coix seeds are far more powerful than you realize.

 

Coix seeds, as a dual-purpose medicinal and dietary herb, first appeared in the ancient Chinese medical text "Shennong Bencao Jing". It is indicated for conditions such as muscle spasms, stiffness, inability to flex or extend, rheumatic arthralgia, and qi deficiency. Prolonged use of coix seeds is believed to promote overall vitality.

 

The Chinese Pharmacopoeia includes the efficacy of Coix seed in promoting diuresis, resolving dampness, strengthening the spleen, stopping diarrhea, draining pus, and detoxifying and dispersing masses. In summary, its primary label is "dampness-dispelling and spleen-invigorating".

 

 

Today, as research on coix seed deepens, we have discovered that the value of coix seed extends far beyond its traditional label of “dampness-dispelling and spleen-invigorating.“ Its nutritional and medicinal worth is even more potent than we initially realized.

 

● Blood Sugar Reduction and Lipid Lowering

Research has found that coix seed, which is rich in dietary fiber, has preventive effects against hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Studies suggest that consuming 50g to 100g of coix seeds daily can achieve disease prevention¹.

 

● Antioxidant Properties

Coix seed contains various bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids and triterpenes, which exhibit potent antioxidant effects. These compounds contribute to the removal of free radicals within the body^2.

 

Therefore, coix seed remains an economical beauty food. Regular consumption helps maintain the luster and delicacy of human skin and has a positive effect on issues such as skin roughness and chapping.

 

● Digestion promotion

Regular consumption of coix seed has a relieving effect on symptoms such as chronic enteritis and indigestion. Coix seeds consumption not only promotes diuresis by eliminating dampness but also contributes to a lighter body and easy digestion. It is a beneficial nourishing food for elderly individuals and patients in post-recovery periods³.

 

2. Coix seed oil, the main effective substance of coix seed, has the effect of improving immunity.

 

Coix seed is rich in active substances, primarily containing triolein, sterols, and other components.

 

 

● Coix seed oil is the primary extract and effective component of coix seed. It contains coixenolides, coixenin, various amino acids, abundant vitamins, and minerals. The main fatty acids present are palmitic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, and stearic acid.

 

Pharmacodynamic experiments have proved that it has a variety of effects such as reducing muscle contractures and enhancing the body’s immune function, and is non-toxic to the human body and has no mutagenic effect⁴.

 

Today, numerous studies have confirmed the health benefits of coix seed oil. Research results published in the journal "Chinese Oils and Fats" also indicates that coix seed oil esters primarily elevate serum hemolysin levels by enhancing proliferation of splenic lymphocytes and delayed hypersensitivity reactions, boost antibody production, and enhance NK cell activity to achieve the immune-enhancing effect of coix seed oil⁵. 

 

3. High-concentration extracted coix seed oil can be absorbed more efficiently when eaten like this!

 

Compared to traditional coix seed congee, it’s more convenient and efficient to consume high-concentration coix seed oil directly. But how to obtain coix seed oil? Traditional extraction methods mainly include pressing and solvent extraction. However, the supercritical CO2 extraction method is a newer and more mature extraction and separation technique. Compared to traditional pressing and solvent extraction, supercritical CO2 extraction offers advantages such as simplicity of operation, high oil yield, and no chemical solvent residue. Take the patent titled "Method for Supercritical CO2 Stepwise Extraction and Separation of Coix Seed Ester and Coix Seed Oil" from GanoHerb as an example. This patented technology can extract high-concentration coix seed ester and coix seed oil, resulting in 85g of coix seed ester per 100g of coix seed, ensuring higher purity and more efficient absorption. By now, you might already be a fan of coix seed oil. And guess what? Our coix seed oil softgels are ready for the market.

 

 

References:

 

1. Zhao Xiaohong. "Nutritional and Medicinal Value of Coix Seeds and Prospects for Beverage Production." Shanxi Food Industry, 2022(3), p. 36.

2. Excerpt from Life Times.

3. Zhuang Weijing et al. "Nutritional and Health Functions of Coix Seeds and Their Development Applications." The Light & Textile Industries of Fujian, 2006(11), p. 103.

4. Zhang Lu, Yang Zhe, et al. "Research Trends in Coix Seed Oil Based on Bibliometrics." Liaoning Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2021, 48(6), p. 175.

5. Zhou Yanfei, Jin Lingyun, et al. "Effects of Coix Seed Oil on Immune Function in Mice." China Oils and Fats, 2018, 43(10), p. 77.