What Is Barley?

Barley is an ancient food.  It was grown in China two thousand years before Christ.  Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome used this grain for it’s unsurpassed nutritional value.  Captain James Cook, during his voyages across the Pacific ocean, would have his crew, every time they reached a shore, to gather fresh fruit, vegetables and green plants for serving aboard ship.  In all three of Cook’s voyages, none of his crew died from scurvy (Vitamin C deficiency) or any other disease as a result of malnutrition.  The value of fresh food was proven.  Some of the green plants searched for by the crew were wild barley grass and wheat.  Presently, barley grain is used mostly for brewing beer, although it makes a delicious addition to soups and breads.  But the grain is not the focus of this article – it is the young, green barley grass.  This “green food” is packed with all the nutrients essential to health. The “gold standard” for health.  Read on!

Discovery!

Over 20 years ago, in Japan, a pharmacology researcher named Dr. Yoshihide Hagiwara (1925-2004) became concerned about the declining health of his countrymen, due to, in his view, the increase in pollutants in the air, the water and the food.  He researched more than 100 different green plants, analyzing them for nutritional value and edibility.  Barley greens came in first on all but the edibility part.  After trying to press the greens and collecting the juice that rapidly spoiled, Dr. Hagiwara devised a method to convert the greens into a powder that retained all of the nutrients, vitamins, minerals and enzymes found in the fresh greens juice.  His process does not involve heat, freezing or chemicals.

Analysis!

Dr Hagiwara originally had his barley powder analyzed by two laboratories – the Resource Research Association, Office of Science and Technology, and Japan Food Analysis Center.   Recent analysis results confirm the original results.  Green barley grass powder contains carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, protein, beta carotene, vitamins C, E, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, manganese, selenium and other trace minerals, bioflavonoids, chlorophyll, and many enzymes including SOD (superoxide dis­mutase – a powerful anti-oxidant).  In fact, barley greens powder contains practically ALL the nutrients required for health and energy except Vitamin D!

Benefits!

Most, if not all, of the benefits to our health are due to the natural BALANCE of nutrients that are preserved by Dr Hagiwara’s process.  All the nutrients found in barley greens act synergistically with one another – each one enhancing the others.  Also, barley greens powder is very digestible and is assimilated by the body very easily and well.  Barley greens powder is packed with antioxidants to help protect our cells from free radical damage, has vitamins and minerals essential to healthy cell functioning, is a potent detoxifier, and, although it does contain carbohydrates, it would be considered a “low carb” food.  Recent studies compared barley greens powder to several vegetables considered very good for you and found that the powder contained more vitamins and less carbs than alfalfa sprouts, tomato, broccoli and cauliflower combined!  We have been told that, for good health, we should eat 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.  Our fast-paced lifestyles today make it difficult to eat that many servings of fresh food a day.  We don’t recommend that you take barley greens powder instead of your veggies – take it and eat as many veggies and fruits that you can.  According to research published in the scientific journal, Diabetes and Metabolism (2002, Vol. 28, 107-114), the cholesterol and free radical blood levels of the subjects were effectively lowered in 39 subjects taking barley grass supplements.  Ongoing research indicates that supplementation with barley grass may help lower blood cholesterol.

What Do I Get and Where?

Should you decide to help your body out by taking barley greens powder, there are several good brands from different manufacturers.  All of the studies and research cited in this article were performed using Dr. Hagiwara’s product called “Green Magma,” marketed by his company Green Foods.  There are several other combination green products marketed by the same company.  Other brands that market quality products are “Just Barley” and “Greens Plus.”  These 3 are made from organic barley grass juice and are available at our store in Brentwood.   

Health is not everything, but without spiritual and physical health, everything is nothing.

Until next time we meet – may God Bless you with good health, with a little help from you!

The information in these columns is for educational purposes only and not to diagnose or treat any medical condition.  Please consult your physician for any serious condition or before discontinuing any prescription drug.

Len Rossi, ND has been a proponent of Natural Healing for 30 years.  After a 25-year career as a pro wrestler, Len earned his Doctor Of Naturopathy degree in 1982 and is a Licensed Massage Therapist.  Len can be reached for a consultation or massage appointment at 373-9242 or visit his store at 1605 Franklin Rd in Brentwood. Email us at poppy97@comcast.net.