Barley Grass

What is Barley Grass?

For many centuries humans have used the barley plant's seeds and leaves as food and medicine. It is a great source of B vitamins, vitamin E, and folic acid. Barley seeds are also ground into flour for baking or processed for use as a cereal. Malt sugar, another common derivative of barley, is made and used as a natural laxative.

In many parts of the world barley is a primary grain for food. It is also used in many countries as a beer making ingredient. In Asia, barley seeds are fermented and added to soybeans, salt, and seaweed for flavouring food.

Barley is an herbal medicine used to treat high cholesterol, to help control blood sugar, diarrhoea, and constipation. For medical use barley is being researched for its ability to help alleviate diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity.

Barley products in the diet may improve blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes, possibly because the fibre in barley seeds delays stomach emptying and slows down the absorption of carbohydrates from foods.

Barley is used in weight loss supplements because it acts as an appetite suppressant making people feel like they have eaten more than they really have. Some dietary supplements use Barley seeds to protect against colon cancer.

Other names for Barley include: Mai ya, Pearl barley, Pot barley, Scotch barley, Hordeum vulgare.

Side Effects and Warnings of Barley Grass

Most dietary supplements have one side effect or another. You should stop taking your medicine right away and talk to your doctor if you have any of the following side effects. Barley Grass may be causing these symptoms which may mean you are allergic to it.

• Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest
• Chest pain 
• Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin, and 
• A feeling of having a full stomach
  

Barley Grass should be discouraged if you are pregnant or breast feeding or you have celiac disease.

Bookmark this:

Bookmark this page