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TCM Treasures - Job's tears
By Zhang Qian |
May 5, 2013, Sunday
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Print Edition
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SIMPLIFIED Chinese: 薏苡 Pinyin: yì yǐ
YI yi (Job's tears) is both a food and has medical use. According to traditional Chinese medicine, it helps relieve problems of pathogenic heat and dampness.
White and smooth like a pearl, the appearance of yi yi almost led to the reputation of an honest man being tarnished.
"Yi yi ming zhu" (Job's tears and pearl) is a Chinese idiom, meaning falsely accusing someone of receiving bribes.
This originates from the story of a famous general named Ma Yuan during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220).
Many of Ma's soldiers became ill while fighting in south China. Using a local treatment featuring yi yi, the troops were restored to health and won in battle.
Afterwards, Ma brought several wagons of yi yi grain back for cultivation.
But when Ma died, enemies said these were pearls that he had amassed through bribery. As a result, the great general received a very simple funeral, though his name was later cleared, and the use of yi yi popularized.
Yi yi is a mildly "cold" food that promotes urination, benefits the digestive system and treat fluid retention. It can also help improve the skin condition, treating acne and dry skin.
It must be soaked in warm water for 2-3 hours before cooking. Prescriptions & Usage:
Herbal drink
Make a drink with 50g yi yi, 10g lily root and water. Add rock sugar when the brew is done. Drink often as tea.
Benefits: Treats flat warts and acne.
Yi yi and mutton soup
Make soup with 250g mutton, 150g yi yi and ginger slices as required. Season with salt.
Benefits: Helps benefit the digestive system and kidney, and provides energy. It is recommended for the weak who have a poor appetite.
Yi yi congee
Make congee with 30g yi yi and 30g rice. Eat once a day.
Benefits: Helps relieve rheumatism and diarrhea.
YI yi (Job's tears) is both a food and has medical use. According to traditional Chinese medicine, it helps relieve problems of pathogenic heat and dampness.
White and smooth like a pearl, the appearance of yi yi almost led to the reputation of an honest man being tarnished.
"Yi yi ming zhu" (Job's tears and pearl) is a Chinese idiom, meaning falsely accusing someone of receiving bribes.
This originates from the story of a famous general named Ma Yuan during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220).
Many of Ma's soldiers became ill while fighting in south China. Using a local treatment featuring yi yi, the troops were restored to health and won in battle.
Afterwards, Ma brought several wagons of yi yi grain back for cultivation.
But when Ma died, enemies said these were pearls that he had amassed through bribery. As a result, the great general received a very simple funeral, though his name was later cleared, and the use of yi yi popularized.
Yi yi is a mildly "cold" food that promotes urination, benefits the digestive system and treat fluid retention. It can also help improve the skin condition, treating acne and dry skin.
It must be soaked in warm water for 2-3 hours before cooking. Prescriptions & Usage:
Herbal drink
Make a drink with 50g yi yi, 10g lily root and water. Add rock sugar when the brew is done. Drink often as tea.
Benefits: Treats flat warts and acne.
Yi yi and mutton soup
Make soup with 250g mutton, 150g yi yi and ginger slices as required. Season with salt.
Benefits: Helps benefit the digestive system and kidney, and provides energy. It is recommended for the weak who have a poor appetite.
Yi yi congee
Make congee with 30g yi yi and 30g rice. Eat once a day.
Benefits: Helps relieve rheumatism and diarrhea.
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