Description
Jobs Tear, Coix lacryma-jobi, is an important cereal crop in Asia. The soft shelled seeds are be roasted to make a tasty coffee substitute or, in India, brewed into a beer. Consumed in Japan as part of the macrobiotic eating regime. Widely used in Chinese patent remedies to counter damp heat and to strengthen the spleen. A treatment for arthritis (particularly rheumatoid) and urinary problems. Jobs Tear is native to the tropical areas of the Northern Hemisphere and is adaptable to any moist soil in any sunny position. Greenish white bell shaped flowers occur in clusters from spring to early summer, followed by pearl-grey fruits in autumn. Frost resistant but drought tender. A perennial plant growing to 1m x 0.75m.