Only second to water, tea is the most consumed beverage on the planet. In fact, people have been drinking tea since ancient times to combat illness and disease; barley tea is no exception. While the taste and aroma draw attention, it is the barley tea benefits that have people turning to a cup of the tea.
Made from the cereal grain barley, barley tea has been found for centuries in homes and shops in Asia, and in more recent years, in the western hemisphere. It is also used in North America as a caffeine-free substitute for coffee. In Japan, mugicha is normally served as a cool drink whereas, in China, maicha is served warm in the summer and cool in the winter. Korea also serves it year-round and is known as boricha. The caffeine-free barley tea can surely benefit when used as a substitute for coffee.
15 Health Benefits of Barley Tea
Barley tea benefits are innumerable. Here are listed few of the barley tea benefits:
1. Cancer Prevention
The barley grain contains phytonutrients that may help prevent certain types of cancers.
2. Helps With Blood Circulation
It regulates blood sugar levels by cleansing the blood for a better flow throughout the body. Good circulation of the bloodstream is key to good health.
3. Helps With Congestion
Barley itself helps with congestion and phlegm brought on by colds, asthma, and bronchitis with its cleansing power.
4. Treats Constipation
It can treat constipation and keep bowel movements regular as it detoxifies the intestines.
5. Proper Digestion
The tea works as a digestive aid, resulting in complete digestion by reducing acidity, gas, and bloating.
6. Rich in Anti-oxidants
Barley is filled with anti-oxidants; it treats fever symptoms and helps to prevent infections.
7. Reduces Inflammation
It can help reduce inflammation and treat cardiovascular problems.
8. Eases Nauseatic feeling
Barley tea eases the feeling of nausea and helps lessen migraines and tension headaches.
9. Anti-bacterial Properties
It works as an antibacterial in the mouth to fight tooth decay and other oral health issues.
10. Stomach Cleansing
With its bacterial-fighting agents, barley treats bacterial infections in the stomach.
11. Reduces Stress
It eases stress, tension, and anxiety by relaxing the brain muscles.
12. Helps With Sleep
Warm barley tea encourages better sleep patterns with its components of amino acids, tryptophan, and melatonin. The fact that it is caffeine-free helps many as well.
13. Helps in Keeping Prostate Healthy
Barley contains selenium, which helps in the male reproduction role and helps to maintain a healthy prostate.
14. Induces Weight Loss
The effects of some of these health benefits of barley tea can also be used to promote weight loss.
15. Detox
Barley tea benefits further extend to aiding digestion issues, easing stress, and detoxifying the body, some people may see their weight decrease.
These issues, as well as sleep deviation, have been known to cause people to gain weight. Barley tea reverses these potential problems. In addition, a cup of barley tea has no sugar.
Uses of Barley
As one of the top grains produced today, barley is used for more than just cereal and processing beer. Barley is also known to be used to treat boils when applied directly to the skin.
Roasted Barley Tea Benefits
When consumed as roasted barley tea, the barley tea can be beneficial to treat a wide variety of common ailments. Although there is more scientific research to be done on how and why certain treatments occur, barley does have vitamins and minerals such as fiber, magnesium, vitamin B1, and vitamin B3.
In fact, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published findings on a study that the fiber in barley helped with lowering cholesterol levels in a group of men and women, all of who had been diagnosed with high cholesterol.
Who Should Avoid Barley Tea?
Though barley tea is beneficial, it can also cause health issues for some people such as those with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.
Diabetics should monitor their blood sugar levels very closely and refer to their physician in regards to their medications, as barley may lower their blood sugar levels. Furthermore, those undergoing surgery may want to stop consuming barley at least two weeks before their surgery date to avoid issues with blood levels during the procedure.
Make Barley Tea at Home
To reap the barley tea benefits to the fullest, you can sip a homemade barley tea.
To make your own barley tea, place two to three tablespoons of the grain in four cups of boiling water. Leave the mixture to simmer for approximately 10 minutes before straining the kernels. If you wish to drink it cold, place the mixture in the fridge to chill or combine the grain kernels in a pitcher of cold water to soak overnight.
Related:
- Barley Water Benefits for Weight Loss, Kidney Stones, and More
- Eat Barley to Reduce Bad Cholesterol: Study
Sources:
Motoya Ikeguchi, Masahito Tsubata, Akira Takano, et al., “Effects of Young Barley Leaf Powder on Gastrointestinal Functions in Rats and Its Efficacy-Related Physicochemical Properties,” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2014, Article ID 974840, 7 pages, 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/974840
