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About Barley Grass
Barley grass is the leafy part of the barley plant (Hordeum vulgare). Barley falls under the family of sweet grasses, known as Poaceae. Its origin and first use are traced back to the Mediterranean regions around the globe. Its wild ancestor, wild barley, thrives in temperate regions in Northeast Africa and Western Asia. The word barley was referred to as Bere in the Old English language. This word was obtained from the adjective baerlic which stands for “made of barley”. The word bere was also synonymous with the Latin term farina meaning “flour”. Hordeum, the genus name for barley, originated from a Proto-Indo-European word which means “bristle”. Barley is locally known as shayiri in Swahili, arpa in Turkish, orzo in Italian, cebada in Spanish, orge in French, Oj in Haitian creole, cevada in Portuguese, orzo in Italian, Almindelig Byg in Danish, and sebada in Tagalog.
The barley crop grows to a height of between 50 and 120 cm. This plant is erect and leafy. The leaves are long and are oppositely placed along the stem. The leaves of the barley plant are wider in comparison to other cereals. Their leaf to stem ratio is approximately 0.88. Being a grass, it is also a distichon. This means that it normally grows in two different distinct rows. These rows are aligned side by side to the central axis. As a result, a culm (a loose sheath) is formed over the stem. The stem itself is narrow and has oval furrowed seeds. Barley can grow in a variety of climatic conditions and regions ranging from, grasslands, open hillsides, vineyards, temperate regions, agronomic crop fields, and oak savannahs. It thrives in cool and dry climates since hot and wet climates make it more susceptible to fungi. It can also grow in different soil types, for example, clay, loam, and red soils. However, the soils must be properly drained. Sandy and waterlogged soils damage the crop from the onset of planting. Barley doesn’t require too much work after planting, but it is essential to watch out for diseases or rust. The mature plant is harvested by cutting the grass just a few cm above the soil. The leaves are then dried by extracting the juice from them. They are then finely ground to form barley grass powder.
Barley is considered to be the oldest cereals known to man. Its use is believed to date back to 9000 BCE. A couple of historians found evidence of wild barley usage at Ohalo, around the South of the Sea of Galilee. Other historians suggested that the oldest evidence of barley cultivation could be found in Mesopotamia, the present-day Jarmo region in Iraq. Barley has also been quoted in ancient Indian scriptures such as the Rigveda as being an essential crop. Barley was also a principal crop in the ancient Roman, Greek, and Hebrew cultures. It is believed that gladiators consumed barley to make them stronger before any battle. Pliny, a famous Roman physician made a concoction using barley and gave it to patients who were trying to get rid of boils from their bodies. Ancient Chinese civilisation revered the barley crop and considered it sacred. These societies revere and still consume the plant to date.
Please note it is against MHRA guidelines for us to talk about any potential health benefits for this supplement however a quick google search on the potential benefits and you may be surprised.
How to use
We suggest taking 1/2 to 4 teaspoons a day mixed with water, in juices or smoothies or take as directed by your healthcare practitioner