JOB'S TEARS Overview Information
Job's tears is a broad-leaved, branched grass. It is native to China, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia. It is considered a nutritious health food in Asian countries. The seeds of Job's tears are tear-shaped and come in several colors including yellow, brown, white, and purple. The seeds are sometimes used as ornamental beads. The root and seed of the plant are sometimes used as a medicine.
People take Job’s tears for hay fever, high cholesterol, cancer, warts, arthritis, obesity, and respiratory tract infections. It is also used to treat a disease called toxoplasmosis that is caused by a parasite.
How does it work?
Job's tears contains chemicals that might interfere with cancer cell growth. Other chemicals might also have antioxidant effects and might also decrease growth of bacteria and parasites. But most research on Job's tears is in animals and test tubes. There isn't enough information to know if Job's tears works the same way in people.
However, some research has been done in people. It suggests that fiber contained in Job's tears might decrease how much fat and cholesterol the body absorbs.
JOB'S TEARS Uses & Effectiveness 
Insufficient Evidence for:
- High cholesterol. Developing research suggests that consuming Job's tears in place of rice for 4 weeks can significantly lower total and “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in people with high cholesterol. This effect may be due to the fiber in Job’s tears.
- Allergies.
- Cancer.
- Warts.
- Toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection.
- Arthritis.
- Obesity.
- Respiratory tract infections.
- Other conditions.
JOB'S TEARS Side Effects & Safety
Job's tears seems to be safe when in food amounts. There isn't enough information to know if taking Job's tears in pills as a supplement is safe.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It might be UNSAFE to take Job’s tears if you are pregnant. Research in animals suggests that it can poison a developing embryo. It can also cause the uterus to contract, and this might harm the pregnancy.No one knows whether if it is safe to use Job’s tears during breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Surgery: Job's tears might lower blood sugar levels. There is some concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using Job’s tears at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
JOB'S TEARS Interactions
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
- Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with JOB'S TEARS
Job's tears might decrease blood sugar levels. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking Job's tears along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
JOB'S TEARS Dosing
The appropriate dose of Job's tears depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for Job's tears. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
