Parts Used
Grain

Properties
Nutritive, demulcent, lowers cholesterol

Common Uses
Use in soup, or "barley water" to sooth gastro-intestinal inflammation. The germinating grain may relieve bronchial congestion.

Locating and Handling
Available in most grocery stores, cereal section.

Caution
None.

Origin
Used in early Egypt.

Early Herbal Notes "Decoction of Barley. Barley Water. (Decoctum Hordei. L. D. Decoctum Hordei Distichi. E.)" Take of pearl barley, two ounces; water, four pints; First wash off the mealy matter which adheres to the barley with some cold water; then extract the colouring matter, by boiling it a little with about a half a pint of water. Throw this decoction away; and put the barley thus purified into four pints of boiling water, which is to be boiled down to one half, and strain the decoction.