Barley is one of the most economical cereal grains that has been around since ancient times, and is a boon in curing diseases and maintaining good health. Its core molecule is beta-glucan, which is also found in oat bran, and is an insoluble fibre. It is a good source of manganese, copper, selenium, and phosphorus.
I, for one, have experienced its benefits immensely during my pregnancy, when I drank barley water almost daily, to relieve me of gastritis, constipation, and swelling of the feet due to water retention.
The second time that I was extremely grateful to boiled and cooled barley water was during my sons first year teething. The doctor advised it to flush out toxins during his terrible diarrhoea. It worked wonderfully well. I instantly prepared and gave it when his molars started erupting, and the same signs stomach infections began, this time more manageable.
Health benefits of barley include:
Treats Gastritis
Kidney cleansing
Treats cystitis (urinary bladder inflammation), and urinary tract infections
Effective diuretic, induces urination, thereby flushing out toxins
Prevents cancer, prevents harmful elements in the body
Cures constipation
Cleanses skin and stops wrinkle formation
Believe to aid in healthy bones, so useful in arthritis
Treat cough, pharyngitis, throat inflammation
During diarrhoea in infants, helps flush out intestinal toxins
Quenches thirst, and is believed to aid in slimming
Helps in prevention of gallstones
Brings down the heat of the body, so given during fever.
Helps relieve many of the menstruation related problems in women, cramps, heat, acidity, boils, rashes etc.
In descending order of nutrients, different kinds of barley are:
Whole hulled barley (least polished),
Pot barley,
Pearl barley (most polished).
How to Prepare Barley Water
Take one teaspoon of barley and three to four cups of water and bring to a boil. Keep on simmer for 10 to 20 minutes and cover. The barley water will turn slightly pink, when taken off the heat, and allow it to cool by keeping it covered.
There are many barley recipes available on the internet. Barley bread and barley malt are other products available for human consumption.
All in all, this wonder grain is a real must have in our daily life, to ensure a healthy lifestyle.
