Coix lacryma-jobi L.
Job’s Tears / Janglai panglas (Tut.); Jelai batu (M.)
Description
Traditional Medicinal Uses
Ecology
Propagation
Distribution
Precaution
Annual or terrestrial erect grass up to 3 m tall. Leaves are formed at the aerial stems, alternately arranged and flattened. Leaf sheaths are smooth and glabrous. Leaf blade is narrowly lanceolate or ovate, acuminate or acute at apex, sheathing at base with entire margin. Ligules are present. Stems are erect, circular, filled with pith, branched at the upper part and glabrous. Inflorescence a terminal panicle or solitary. Spikelets are forming clusters. Fruit a glossy black berry. Caryopsis is dark red in hard- shelled forms or pale brown in soft-
Rhizomes are boiled and the resultant decoction is consumed for treating rheumatic pains. The pounded leaves are mixed with lime and applied to treat herpes and fungal infection on skin. Leaf decoction is also consumed for certain coughs, diarrhoea and gonorrhea. The plant possessed antibacterial
It is commonly found growing near village houses and in lowland areas. It prefers fertile, sandy loamy soil under full sunlight to partial shade.
Seed and stem cutting.
Native to Mexico and West Indies.
None