Overview

Job's tears is an annual grass crop that grows in China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and other Asian countries, where it is considered a health food. The root and seed of the plant are sometimes used as medicine.

People use Job's tears for conditions such as hay fever, high cholesterol, cancer, infections of the airways, and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

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 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.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for JOB'S TEARS overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Job's tears is possibly safe when consumed in the amounts found in food. There isn't enough reliable information to know if taking Job's tears as a supplement is safe.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Job's tears is possibly safe when consumed in the amounts found in food. There isn't enough reliable information to know if taking Job's tears as a supplement is safe.

Pregnancy: 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.

Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Job's tears is safe to use when 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.

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.

  • Chlorzoxazone (Parafon Forte, Paraflex) interacts with JOB'S TEARS

    Job's tears might increase levels of chlorzoxazone. Taking Job's tears along with chlorzoxazone might increase the effects and side effects of chlorzoxazone.

  • Dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, others) interacts with JOB'S TEARS

    Job's tears might increase levels of dextromethorphan. Taking Job's tears along with dextromethorphan might increase the effects and side effects of dextromethorphan.

  • Diltiazem (Cardizem, others) interacts with JOB'S TEARS

    Job's tears might increase levels of diltiazem. Taking Job's tears along with diltiazem might increase the effects and side effects of diltiazem.

  • Theophylline interacts with JOB'S TEARS

    Job's tears might increase levels of theophylline. Taking Job's tears along with theophylline might increase the effects and side effects of theophylline.

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.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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