Barley Grass Powder - benefits, nutrition and other

Barley Grass Powder - benefits, nutrition and other 

information

Barley grass powder is made from the dried young leaves of the barley plant. It is believed that the cultivation of barley's young leaves first took place as early as 7000 BC.

At the early stage of its growth, the barley plant is closer in composition to vegetables than grains, hence the name 'barley grass'. This concept is similar to that of wheat grass . There is said to be very little difference between the nutritional contents of barley grass and wheat grass.

As they grow, the nutrient content of young cereal grasses change rapidly. The nutrient concentration - vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, chlorophyll - deteriorate significantly.

In its young state, however, barley grass contains extremely high levels of the above mentioned nutrients. Barley grass powder thus contains very dense nutritional and healing properties in a concentrated form that is easily assimilated by our digestive system.

There are no known toxic effects to consuming barley grass.

As with all herbs and foods, for the best effect, it is desirable to use barley grass powder which is made from organic barley grass.

Benefits of barley grass

Barley grass is a 'concentrated' nutritious whole food offering balanced nutrition to the body. Barley grass powder, like most types of vegetable powders, is very easily digested by the body, thus allowing the body to use its nutrients within a matter of minutes. It also has very strong alkalizing effects on the body.

Barley grass is said to be the only vegetable on Earth which can supply all the nutrients which the human body needs from birth to old age. That is one big claim and, if it is indeed true, then we should really waste no time in making it a regular part of our diets!

The use of barley grass powder is endorsed by many. This includes Dr Lorraine Day, who underwent a natural regimen after refusing chemotherapy and radiation and recovered from late stage breast cancer, although she only recommended a particular brand of the powder.

What barley grass powder contains

Barley grass contains very large amounts of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes and other beneficial nutrients. These include:

·  essential and non-essential amino acids

·  high amounts of antioxidants

·  high amounts of enzymes, including the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD)

·  high amounts of folic acid

·  pantothenic acid

·  high amounts of carotenoids, including beta carotene - apparently more than 6 times the amount of carotene in spinach

·  flavonoids

·  high amounts of vitamin B1 - apparently 30 times the amount in cows' milk; and apparently also 4 times the amount in whole wheat flour

·  vitamin B2

·  vitamin B6

·  high amounts of vitamin B12

·  high amounts of vitamin C - apparently nearly 7 times the amount in oranges; and apparently also more than 3 times the amount in spinach

·  high amounts of calcium - apparently more than 10 times the amount in cows' milk

·  copper

·  high amounts of iron - apparently almost 5 times the amount in spinach

·  magnesium

·  manganese

·  phosphorus

·  potassium

·  high amounts of organic sodium - apparently more than 25 times the amount in celery; organic sodium helps in joint health as well as improves digestion

·  zinc


Barley grass is also rich in living chlorophyll. Chlorophyll has the following benefits and effects:

·  It is the basis of all plant life, playing a critical role in photosynthesis.

·  It is the first product of light, containing more light energy than any other element.

·  It is anti-bacterial, stopping the development and growth of harmful bacteria. It can be used inside the body as well as topically as a healing agent.

·  It rebuilds the blood. Chlorophyll is very similar in structure to blood hemoglobin.

·  Liquid chlorophyll gets into the bodily tissues, rejuvenating and rebuilding them.

·  It alleviates blood sugar problems.

·  It neutralizes toxins in the body.

·  It helps to purify the liver.

·  Liquid chlorophyll washes drug deposits from the body.

What barley grass and barley grass powder can do

·  It helps to alkalize the body.

·  It helps in cell DNA repair.

·  Barley grass acts as a free radical scavenger, reducing the amount of free radicals in the blood.

·  It helps in improving skin health.

·  It helps to stimulate weight loss.


Conditions which may be helped or alleviated by the use of barley grass powder or juice

·  Barley grass helps in the treatment of arthritis; it also provides relief from arthritis pain.

·  It helps in the treatment of asthma.

·  It helps to combat blood clots.

·  Barley grass helps to combat cancer.

·  It helps to reduce low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the 'bad' cholesterol) levels.

·  Barley grass is helpful against diabetes; it also helps to delay or prevent blood vessel damage which could be caused by diabetes.

·  It helps to reduce fatigue.

·  Barley grass helps in relieving inflammation in various parts of the body; it also reduces inflammation-related pain.

·  It helps to treat migraine.

·  It helps to relieve stomach and intestinal disorders.

Common ways to consume barley grass

I do not know of many people who drink freshly pressed barley grass juice, although that would be the best method to reap the full benefits of the abundant enzymes in barley grass.

Barley grass is commonly taken as barley grass powder. The manufacturing process for such powder retains most of the nutrients and possibly also some of the enzymes. Barley grass powder can be mixed with raw juices or water. This is a convenient way to consume it and the one which I use most often. I find that it makes my juices tastier too!

Barley grass is also available in capsule or tablet form (for example, barley grass powder 500mg). Again, most of the nutrients are probably retained, though not the enzymes. I personally prefer the powders to the capsules.


Conclusion

In my opinion, and I think many others also agree, barley grass, though bitterer, is a lot more palatable than wheat grass. The detoxification reactions to taking barley grass are also much milder. Thus, green barley grass is an excellent substitute if you would like to reap the nutritional and healing benefits of one of Nature's green super foods, but are unable to tolerate wheat grass juice.