A tea can be made from the parched seeds, whilst beers and wines are made from the fermented grain. A coffee is made from the roasted seed. Coix seed is used as both a healing herb and a food.
The seeds, with the husks removed, are important in traditional Chinese medicine. It is said that a tea made from the boiled seeds will help to cure warts, and that in general coix is good for the skin, helping to nourish and soften it so that it looks smooth and healthy.
It enhances immune function, is an anti-inflammatory and lowers the blood sugar level.