Job's Tears: A Comprehensive Review of Its Traditional Uses, Nutritional Composition, And Pharmacological Potential

Job’s Tears (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) is a perennial grass from the Poaceae family, recognized as both a nutritious cereal grain and a medicinal crop with deep roots in traditional Asian medicine. It has been widely consumed in forms such as porridge, beverages, and as a rice substitute, while also being used therapeutically for wounds, urinary tract infections, and inflammatory disorders. Rich in proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and bioactive compounds, Job’s Tears holds promise as a functional food and a potential alternative to staple grains. Its pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and immunomodulatory effects have garnered scientific interest, prompting further exploration into its health benefits. This review consolidates knowledge from literature and traditional accounts, examining its botanical characteristics, historical cultivation, food applications, nutritional profile, medicinal uses, and pharmacological activities. The aim of the review is to provide a comprehensive understanding of Job’s Tears, a versatile grain with expanding relevance in contemporary nutrition and medicine.