yi yi ren-is it really pearl barley?

[Guest guest]

On Thu, 17 Mar 2005 09:56:55 -0000 " Eric Brand " <smilinglotus

writes:

Dear Eric,

 

Would I correctly conclude from what you say then, that indeed, they ARE

the same substance, (coix and pearl barley) and that the larger pearl

barley is used medicinally as Yi Yi Ren, whereas the smaller one is used

culinarily?

 

Yehuda

 

 

> As for the two types of yi yi ren, the smaller pearled barley is

> indeed different than coix. It is considered to be lacking in a

> significant medicinal effect, with the medicinal one being true

> coix.

> The larger coix is used for medicinal, the smaller pearled barley

> is

> preferred for food use because it has a better flavor and is more

> tender.

>

> Hope that helps.

>

> Eric Brand

>

>

 

[Guest guest]

, Yehuda L Frischman

<@j...> wrote:

>

>

> On Thu, 17 Mar 2005 09:56:55 -0000 " Eric Brand " <smilinglotus>

> writes:

> Dear Eric,

>

> Would I correctly conclude from what you say then, that indeed,

they ARE

> the same substance, (coix and pearl barley) and that the larger pearl

> barley is used medicinally as Yi Yi Ren, whereas the smaller one is used

> culinarily?

 

No. They are two separate products from different botanical sources.

One is coix (Job's tears), the other is pearled barley. They are not

different types of pearl barley. These two distinct substances (coix

and pearl barley) are referred to by the same name in Chinese (yi yi

ren ). Coix is primarily used in medicine. Pearl barley is primarily

used in food.

 

Eric