Gavedhuka — Job's Tears

Ayurvedic herb Gavedhuka (Coix lacryma-jobi) — Job's Tears. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Madhura, Kashaya, Virya Ushna, Vipaka Madhura. Balances Kapha, Pitta.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read
This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional.

Coix lacryma-jobi (Job’s Tears) is a diuretic and nourishing grain, used for edema and obesity.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaMadhura, KashayaMadhura (Sweet) — nourishing, grounding, promotes tissue growth; Kashaya (Astringent) — drying, absorbent, wound-healing
GunaLaghu, RukshaLaghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness; Ruksha (Dry) — absorbs moisture, drying
ViryaUshnaUshna (Hot) — heating, increases metabolism and Pitta
VipakaMadhuraMadhura (Sweet) — post-digestive sweet, nourishing
PrabhavaLekhana, MutralaLekhana — scraping, reduces fat and Kapha; Mutrala — diuretic, increases urine flow

Sanskrit Synonyms

In the classical Ayurvedic texts, Gavedhuka is known by the following Sanskrit names:

Gavedhu, Gargayan, Sankhabija

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Gavedhuka are: bija, moola.

Main Indications

Gavedhuka is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Medoroga, Sthoulya, Mutrakrichha, Shotha.

Dosha Effects

Gavedhuka pacifies Kapha, Pitta.

It may aggravate Vata when used in excess or in sensitive individuals.

Usage

Gavedhuka is used in classical Ayurvedic formulations. Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for appropriate dosage and preparation based on your constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalance (Vikriti).

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API)

Source: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India — Government of India, Ministry of AYUSH

Rasa (Taste)Kauu, Madhura
Guna (Quality)Laghu, Rūkṣa
Virya (Potency)śita
Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Kauu
Karma (Action)Kaphahara, Pittahara, Mūtrala, K¡r¿nya
Dose3-6 g
Therapeutic Uses: Mūtrakrcchra, Netra-Masūrik¡, Pittaja Chardi, Sthaulya
Important Formulations: Viṣḍu Taila
Part Used: Rt

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

Source: Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry And Therapeutics (IMPPAT) v1.0 — CC BY 4.0

Part UsedTherapeutic UseIdentifiersReferences
aerial partParasympatholyticsMESH:D010276,UMLS:C0030511, ICD-11:XM3A77ISBN:9788172360481
fruitCommon coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375
fruitDiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9770972795006
fruitFatigueMESH:D005221,UMLS:C0015672, ICD-11:MG22ISBN:9770972795006
fruitInflammationMESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368ISBN:9770972795006
fruitStomatitis, aphthousMESH:D013281,UMLS:C0038363, DOID:9663, ICD-11:DA01.10ISBN:9770972795006
fruitUrinary bladder diseasesMESH:D001745,UMLS:C0005686, DOID:365ISBN:9770972795006
leafDiabetes mellitusMESH:D003920,UMLS:C0011849, DOID:9351, ICD-11:5A14ISBN:9788172360481
rootAntiemeticsMESH:D000932,UMLS:C0003297, ICD-11:XM4VY6ISBN:9770972795006
rootDysuriaMESH:D053159,UMLS:C0013428, ICD-11:MF50.7ISBN:9770972795006
rootEye diseasesMESH:D005128,UMLS:C0015397, DOID:5614, ICD-11:9E1ZISBN:9770972795006
rootMenorrhagiaMESH:D008595,UMLS:C0025323, ICD-11:GA20.50ISBN:9770972795006
rootMenstruation disturbancesMESH:D008599,UMLS:C0025345, ICD-11:GA20.30ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172362140, ISBN:9788173717031
rootObesityMESH:D009765,UMLS:C0028754, DOID:9970, ICD-11:5B81ISBN:9770972795006
rootUrination disordersMESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0YISBN:9788173717031
seedAnalgesicsMESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7ISBN:9788172362133
seedAntineoplastic agentsMESH:D000970,UMLS:C0003392ISBN:9788172360481, ISBN:9788172362133
seedAntirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9770972795006
seedAppetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9788172362133
seedCardiovascular systemMESH:D002319,UMLS:C0007226, ICD-11:XA4PM9ISBN:9770972795006
seedCatharticsMESH:D002400,UMLS:C0007422, ICD-11:XM6GE9ISBN:9788173717031
seedDiabetes mellitusMESH:D003920,UMLS:C0011849, DOID:9351, ICD-11:5A14ISBN:9770972795006
seedDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172362133, ISBN:9788172362140, ISBN:9788173717031
seedDysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9770972795006
seedGoutMESH:D006073,UMLS:C0018099, DOID:13189, ICD-11:FA25ISBN:9770972795006
seedHematologic diseasesMESH:D006402,UMLS:C0018939, DOID:74, ICD-11:3C0ZISBN:9788172361266
seedImmunomodulationMESH:D056747,UMLS:C1963758ISBN:9788172362133
seedMenorrhagiaMESH:D008595,UMLS:C0025323, ICD-11:GA20.50ISBN:9770972795006
seedNeoplasmsMESH:D009369,UMLS:C0027651, DOID:162, ICD-11:2E2ZISBN:9788172362133
seedParasympatholyticsMESH:D010276,UMLS:C0030511, ICD-11:XM3A77ISBN:9788172362133
seedPectoralis musclesMESH:D010369ISBN:9788173717031
seedPneumoniaMESH:D011014,UMLS:C0032285, DOID:552, ICD-11:CA40.0ZISBN:9788173717031
seedGeneral tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172362140
seedStomach ulcerMESH:D013276,UMLS:C0038358, ICD-11:DA60ISBN:9770972795006
seedWounds and injuriesMESH:D014947,UMLS:C0043251ISBN:9770972795006
seedlingAnti-infective agentsMESH:D000890,UMLS:C0003204, ICD-11:XM4TV0ISBN:9788172362133
AnthraxMESH:D000881,UMLS:C0003175, DOID:7427, ICD-11:1B97ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
Antineoplastic agentsMESH:D000970,UMLS:C0003392ISBN:9788172360481
DiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9770972795006
DiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9788172360481
DysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
FeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
LaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9788172360481
Menstruation disturbancesMESH:D008599,UMLS:C0025345, ICD-11:GA20.30ISBN:9770972795006
SmallpoxMESH:D012899,UMLS:C0037354, DOID:8736, ICD-11:1E70ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481