Environment
Fact Checked

What is Barley Grass?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Barley grass is a grain plant that is used in a number of foods for both humans and animals. Known in some places around the world as mai ya, it is also used in some alternative medical traditions to provide solutions for health issues like high cholesterol and blood sugar. It is quite nutritious, and some forms are used as a dietary supplement.

Many farmers use barley grass to create feed for livestock, often after the plant has first been used to make beer. Barley malt is grain that has been sprouted and, when mixed with hot water, breaks down its starches into a sweet malty liquid called wort. The remaining barley components are dried, processed, and combined with other grains to produce livestock feed that is both nutritious and affordable. While the process today is usually manufactured and mass marketed, there are countries where the drying and preparation process remains a local phenomenon. Small farmers around the world continue to produce barley that is used for home remedies, with the leftover components turned into natural food sources for cows, pigs, and other animals that are part of the farm.

Some farmers use the leftover components of barley grass concotions as a natural food source for cows and pigs.
Some farmers use the leftover components of barley grass concotions as a natural food source for cows and pigs.

For humans, barley grass is also considered a healthy means of dealing with several health conditions. For example, there is evidence that this plant can help to minimize LDL, or bad, cholesterol in some people. Barley seeds are often credited with the ability to regulate blood sugar levels in people with diabetes by slowing down the speed at which the body absorbs carbohydrates. It should be noted, however, that this benefit has not been demonstrated in individuals who have not yet developed diabetes.

For humans, barley grass is considered a healthy way of dealing with several medical conditions.
For humans, barley grass is considered a healthy way of dealing with several medical conditions.

Because of the nutritional value of barley grass, it often is used in soups and as a substitute for wheat flour or oatmeal. It is known to be rich in beta carotene, folic acid, calcium, and a number of the B vitamins. Currently, there are several nutrition supplements on the market today that feature this grass as one of the main ingredients in the formula.

Barley grass may minimize LDL levels in some people.
Barley grass may minimize LDL levels in some people.

For cooking purposes, pearl barley is the most common form used. Pearl barley has gone through a process that has removed both the outer hull and the bran layer that protects the center of the plant, which means that it will take less time to cook. It can be be used to thicken soup as well as eaten as a hot cereal.

Scotch barley, also known as pot barley, is another popular form. Often found in health food stores, it retains some of the nutritional value that is lost when pearling barley grass. Its cooking time is not a great deal longer, often a little over an hour.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including AllThingsNature, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including AllThingsNature, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

You might also Like

Discussion Comments

sapphire12

My mom used to add pearl barley to soups all the time when I was a kid. While I really don't like the texture much, I know it added a lot of fiber and other nutrients to the soup.

sherlock87

Barley is highly nutritious in all forms, but be careful if you have celiac disease or even a milder form of gluten intolerance. Gluten is too often ruled out as being only related to wheat, but is actually present in many other grains, including barley.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Some farmers use the leftover components of barley grass concotions as a natural food source for cows and pigs.
      By: Anatolii
      Some farmers use the leftover components of barley grass concotions as a natural food source for cows and pigs.
    • For humans, barley grass is considered a healthy way of dealing with several medical conditions.
      By: Eskymaks
      For humans, barley grass is considered a healthy way of dealing with several medical conditions.
    • Barley grass may minimize LDL levels in some people.
      By: blueringmedia
      Barley grass may minimize LDL levels in some people.
    • Barley seeds are often credited with the ability to regulate blood sugar levels.
      By: kiatipol
      Barley seeds are often credited with the ability to regulate blood sugar levels.