Barley Grass Profile

Also known as

Hordeum vulgare, green grass, mai ya in Chinese markets. The term mai ya could refer to either barley or wheat grass, but barley is preferred to wheat in traditional Chinese medicine. Gu ya, or rice shoots, are eaten as a food rather than taken as a medicine.

Introduction

Barley grass has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for at least 1800 years. Barley grass is grown by soaking the seeds in clean water until they sprout and grow shoots approximately 2 inches (5 cm) long.

Constituents

Barley grass is an extraordinarily rich source of many vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, although it does not, as sometimes claimed, contain absolutely all the nutrients needed for human health. The dried shoot is approximately 4% glutamic acid (needed for recharging antioxidants), 4% methionine (needed for the production of natural SAM-e), 3% vitamin C, 1% valine, and 1% calcium. A single tablespoon contains a day's supply of beta-carotene, betaine, biotin, boron, copper, iron, lutein, magnesium, niacin, riboflavin, and thiamine. It also contains nutritionally significant amounts of alpha-linoleic acid, oryzanol, potassium, selenium, zinc, and the tocopherols that make up vitamin E. The medicinal action of the dried shoot is due to its content of hordenine, not to be confused with a plant chemical with a similar name that is implicated in celiac disease.

Parts Used

The dried unjointed leaf. In traditional Chinese medicine, the barley grass may be "massed" or fermented before drying.

Typical Preparations

A level tablespoon (3-4 grams) of barley grass powder added to teas, smoothies, cereals, or other foods daily. As a capsule or in extract form.

Summary

Precautions

Barley grass may stop lactation in nursing mothers. Not recommended while nursing or pregnant.

For educational purposes only This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.