Barley Grass Health Benefits

As children, our parents urged us to eat our green vegetables, but even they might not have known about barley grass health benefits. According to Green Barley Essence, a health book written by barley grass expert, Dr. Yoshihide Hagiwana, the barley grass health benefits are many.

Why Barley Grass?

The amount of nutrients in barley grass is extremely high. For example, it has seven times more vitamin C than a single orange. That's quite impressive alone, but barley grass is also higher in these nutrients:

Barley Grass Health Benefits

Barley Grass is made into a juice at time of harvest. In juice form, it is about 45 percent protein. Because it's not animal protein, it isn't full of the fat our bodies don't need. A powerful antioxidant, it helps to fight free radicals that cause aging. Barley grass keeps our digestive systems free of toxins with the chlorophyll it contains. Barley grass powders and capsule supplements are also on the market and achieve the same results.While all of these nutrients can be found in green vegetables, to achieve the levels of each your body requires would mean eating a lot of spinach, collards, kale, green beans and peppers. In juice form, by mixing one to two teaspoons of barley glass with eight ounces of water or juice, you'll have all the green vegetable nutrients from one drink.

Why It's Healthy

Scientifically, green vegetables are higher in the vitamins our bodies need like iron, folic acid, vitamin C, and B vitamins. These green vitamins help maintain our red blood cells and keep them healthy. Barley grass sustains cholesterol levels and is a great diet supplement for losing weight. A daily intake of barley glass lessens the work your body has to do to reap the nutrient rewards. For example, the vitamin C, calcium and iron you get from eating one orange have to go through an enzyme conversion process to achieve the highest amount of nutritional value. Drinking barley grass is a shortcut to this conversion process and your body's enzymes don't have to convert the vitamins. Herbalists, nutritionists, and physicians are recommending barley grass for all sorts of ailments such as arthritis, migraines, asthma, fatigue, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Where to Buy It

Barley grass powder that you mix with water or juice is at most health food stores, including the large chain stores. Rob Hawley, owner of Taos Herb Company, has one staff member dedicated to mixing barley grass elixir drops made from its powder form. You can also find barley grass supplements in capsule form; however, most herbalists feel liquid is best.

How to Take It

When using the powder form of barley grass, mix one to two teaspoons of the powder in an eight-ounce liquid such as juice or water. It is best to sip it twenty minutes before a meal or two hours after a meal. The liquid you use to mix the barley grass powder should be cold or at room temperature. Hot liquid will break down the vitamins and nutrients the barley grass contains. If using barley grass elixir drops, add four to six drops in your juice or water for maximum effect. Capsule supplements should be used as directed, but are usually two to three times per day. To ensure your barley grass won't lose its vitamin power, store it in a cool place away from moisture and sunlight with a lid, but don't place in the refrigerator.

Reaping the Rewards

Barley grass has been studied for its health benefits far more than any other grass. Researchers have found that because of its nutrition and protein strength, without the harmful fat from animal proteins, it helps to increase overall general health. Expert, Dr. Yoshihide Hagiwana, doesn't suggest ignoring your green vegetables, but supplementing them with powder, liquid or capsule to achieve the best barley grass health benefits.