Gavedhuka
Coix lacryma-jobi
Gavedhuka (Coix lacryma-jobi) is a plant drug, also called Gavedhu, Garahedu and Gargari. Coixenolide has moderate oral bioavailability with good GI absorption. Coixol (a benzoxazinone) has moderate bioavailability (~30%). As a cereal grain, the starch matrix provides slow release of embedded bioactives.
| Botanical name | Coix lacryma-jobi |
|---|---|
| Identity source | Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol. V: GAVEDHUKA (Root) |
| Also called | Coix lachryma-jobi Linn. syn. C. lachryma Linn. (attribution recorded without a cited source) |
| Family | Poaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Poales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2706301 · Wikidata Q827098 · NCBI Taxonomy 4505 |
| Sanskrit | Gavedhu, Gavedhuka |
|---|---|
| Hindi | Garahedu, Gargari, Kasai |
| English | Adlay, Jobs tears |
| Tamil | Kaattukuntumani |
| Malayalam | Kaakkappalunku, Kaatugotampu |
| Telugu | Adaviguruginja |
| Kannada | Manjutti |
| Marathi | Kasai |
| Bengali | Dedhaan, Devaan, Gadagad |
| Gujarati | Kasai |
Source: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. How we source.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit | Gavedhuka |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Madhura, Kashaya | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Laghu, Ruksha | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Madhura | Post-digestive effect |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (grain/seed powder), Kashayam (decoction), Yavagu (medicated gruel), Tablet, Capsule
Standard Dosage: 5-10g grain powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction; Yavagu as directed (as dietary preparation); 500-1000mg extract capsule twice daily
Optimal Timing: Yavagu (gruel) in the morning as breakfast or meal replacement; powder/capsule before meals with warm water; traditionally consumed as part of therapeutic diet
Storage: Whole grain: cool, dry, ventilated area, protected from insects. Powder and extracts: airtight containers below 25 deg C. Seed oil: refrigerate after opening, use within 6 months. Protect from moisture and pest infestation.
Marker Compounds: Coixenolide, Coixol, Stigmasterol, Sitosterol, Oleic acid, Linoleic acid, Coixan A/B/C (polysaccharides)
Synergistic Combinations
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
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