The Therapeutic Properties of Barley

[shelley]

Barley is a wonderful grain in both flavor and its effects on the body. The downside to Barley is it is a gluten grain and not always appropriate for Vata people in large amounts. The upside is it's a mild diuretic/laxative, pulling water into the intestines and then helping the body to excrete fluids. It's fantastic for chronic diarrhea, mucus. Barley tea will bring down fevers and soothe inflamed urinary tracts.

Seasoned Barley

This dish is particularly good for people suffering from colitis.

1 cup dry barley
6 cups water
1 burdock root, washed, peeled and chopped fine
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 onion, chopped (optional)
1/2 stick kombu (a kind of seaweed that chelates lead and makes a great broth. It's flat and sold in plastic bags in the Asian section.)
1 tsp dried sage or thyme/oregano/savory
dash of black pepper and Ghee/Olive Oil to taste

In a medium saucepan, combine barley and veggies and simmer on med-low heat for 50 minutes. Add spices and oil then simmer another 5 minutes and serve.

Simple Barley

1 cup dried barley
5 cups water
1/2 tsp salt
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, or 2 tsp dried
1 tsp ground cumin

Cook barley in the water with salt for 50 minutes, add herbs and spices and serve.

Barley Tea

Fix this overnight in a crock pot, or on the stove for 90 minutes.

1/4 cup organic pearl barley
8 cups of water

Washt he barley thoroughly and put it and the water in a crockpot or large pot. Bring to a boil them simmre on low until the liquid is reduced to 4 cups. Strain into a cup and drink.

For a fever, add a bit of lime or lemon juice and honey.
Excellent for inflamed bladder, throat or gut, or colitis.

[Alicyn]

I love Barley, I usually use the pressure cooker and make home made soups with it. With the pressure cooker I can have fresh soup in like 30 minutes.

It's especially great in the winter.

Ali

[shelley]

pressure cookers do a lot of nutrient killing. It's better to use a crockpot.