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Overview: Job’s tears is the seed of a grass plant called Coix lacryma-jobi. It is also known as coix seed or adlay. The seed is eaten as a grain and is also used in traditional Chinese medicine. People take Job’s tears for pain and inflammation, to help support healthy blood sugar, and as part of the care for some cancers. Its benefits are not well defined and evidence in humans is limited. There is not enough research to know what the common side effects may be. Before taking Job’s tears, tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have and any medicines you are taking.

Uses

What is Job’s tears used for?

Job’s tears (Coix lacryma-jobi) is the seed of a grass plant. It is also called coix seed or adlay. The seed is used both as a food grain and traditional medicine, mostly in East Asia. The benefits of Job’s tears for any use are not well defined. Evidence in humans is limited. Over-the-counter Job’s tears supplements are used for the following.

  • Pain and Inflammation. Job’s tears is used to help with pain and inflammation, including joint problems such as rheumatism. In laboratory and animal research, substances taken from the seed lowered pain and swelling, and the oil from the seed eased joint inflammation in animals with arthritis.
  • Blood Sugar, Cholesterol, and Metabolism. Job’s tears is used to help support healthy blood sugar. In animal and laboratory research, substances taken from the seed lowered blood sugar and improved how the body handles sugar and fats.
  • Cancer Support. In East Asia, Job’s tears is used as part of the care for some cancers, such as liver cancer and cancers of the female reproductive system. In laboratory research, substances in the seed acted on pathways linked to cancer cell growth and cell death.

Job’s tears is also used for other purposes, such as general wellness and easing fluid retention (swelling). The benefits of Job’s tears for these and other uses are not well defined.

Note: The FDA has not reviewed Job’s tears for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does Job’s tears work (mechanism of action)?

Job’s tears is the seed (kernel) of Coix lacryma-jobi, a tall grass plant. The seed is used both as a food grain and in traditional Chinese medicine. Job’s tears contains many natural substances. These include large sugar molecules called polysaccharides (such as those known as coixans), an oil made of fats, and plant sterols such as sitosterol. The benefits of Job’s tears are not well defined. Evidence in humans is limited.

Researchers have studied a few ways that Job’s tears may affect the body. Polysaccharides taken from the seed lowered pain and swelling in animals and calmed the activity of certain immune cells in the laboratory. The oil from the seed lowered inflammation in animals with arthritis, in part by changing the activity of a type of immune cell that is tied to inflammation.

For blood sugar, the seed’s polysaccharides are broken down by gut bacteria into short-chain fatty acids, which affect insulin-related signals in the body, and certain seed proteins block an enzyme (called DPP-4) that helps control blood sugar.

One small study found that adding Job’s tears to yogurt may improve HDL (“good”) cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes. In addition, a 12-week study found that eating adlay cereal for breakfast may help improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels in some people. However, more research is needed to confirm these effects.

In laboratory studies of cancer cells, a substance found in the seed called sitosterol, along with coix seed oil, was linked to pathways that help control cancer cell growth and normal cell death, and the seed extract lowered the activity of cell signals (called NF-kB and protein kinase C) that are tied to cancer. The exact way Job’s tears works is not fully understood.

Herbal products, such as Job’s tears, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amounts of each chemical in a specific Job’s tears product may vary. Some, none, or all of these chemicals may have effects on the body. These effects may change depending on how much of each chemical is found in the product you are using.

How should I store Job’s tears?

You should store Job’s tears according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Job’s tears?

There is not enough research to know what the common side effects may be. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.

Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Job’s tears?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Job’s tears are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Job’s tears may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Job’s tears and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Job’s tears?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Job’s tears.

  • Adlay
  • Coix (Coix lacryma-jobi) plant or its products
  • Coix seed
  • Job’s tears
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific Job’s tears products they stock.

Pregnancy. Job’s tears should not be used during pregnancy. See the Pregnancy section below for more details.

What should I know about Job’s tears before using it?

Job’s tears is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Job’s tears is available in several forms. Common forms include the whole or ground seeds (used like a grain or in teas), powders, capsules, and extracts. The oil from the seed is also available. Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep Job’s tears out of the reach of children.

Herbal products, such as Job’s tears, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific Job’s tears product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year when it was harvested, and the way the plant was processed after being harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

Like other seeds and grains, Job’s tears can be contaminated with molds and their toxins (mycotoxins) during storage. To minimize this risk, choose third-party-tested products and keep them in a cool, dry place.

The FDA has not tested Job’s tears products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Job’s tears?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. Sharing this information will help your health care provider know if this or other supplements are right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Diabetes and Blood Sugar. Job’s tears may lower your blood sugar. If you have diabetes or take medicine to control your blood sugar, talk to your health care provider before using Job’s tears. Your health care provider may want to check your blood sugar more often.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Before taking Job’s tears, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Job’s tears should not be used during pregnancy. In animal studies, it caused pregnancy loss and made the uterus (womb) contract more. There is not enough reliable information to know if Job’s tears is safe to use during pregnancy, and the animal research raises concerns. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Job’s tears passes into breast milk. There is not enough reliable information to know if Job’s tears is safe to use while breastfeeding. For this reason, women who are breastfeeding should not use Job’s tears unless a health care provider tells you otherwise. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does Job’s tears interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Job’s tears and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Job’s tears.

Does Job’s tears interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using so they can watch for any potential interactions.

Job’s tears may lower your blood sugar, so it could add to the effect of medicines used for diabetes. If you take any medicines for diabetes, talk to your health care provider before taking Job’s tears.

The interactions between Job’s tears and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with Job’s tears is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking Job’s tears with any medicines.

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Job’s tears?

If you or someone else has used too much Job’s tears, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Job’s tears is available as whole or ground seeds, powders, capsules, and extracts and as an oil from the seed. Read the product label closely and speak with a health care provider about how to use Job’s tears safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.