Coix lacryma-jobi, Job's tears, is a minor cereal foodstuff in Southern Asia, as well as in Central South America.

It is eaten, mixed with water to drink, and fermented into beer and wine. The protein to carbohydrate ratio in Job's tears is higher than in any other cereal. It also contains calcium, phosporus, iron, and some B vitamins.

Job's tears has traditionally been used by indigenous healers in many cultures, and it is considered to be anti-rheumatic, diuretic, febrifuge, pectoral and tonic.

It has been used in the treatment of warts, abscesses, appendicitis, arthritis, beriberi, bronchititis, catarrh, diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, edema, fever, goiter, headache, pleurisy, pneumonia, rheumatism and worms. Preliminary research has shown that an active ingredient, coixenolide, may have specific immune activity.